Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic 2 March 1869, CO 60:37, no. 2488, 25.
Abstract
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Baron Blachford Frederic 2 March 1869, CO 60:37, no. 2488, 25.
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
2nd March 1869
Sir,
With reference to my letter of the 22nd Septr 1868, on the
subject of the proposal to confer the local Rank of Lieutenant
Colonel on Captain Delacombe, the Officer in command of the
Marines at VanCouver—in order to put him on the same footing as
the Officer in command of the American Military Force stationed
there, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiraltyto
to send you, for the information of Lord Granville a copy of a
letter which they have received from Rear Admiral Hastings the
Commander in Chief on the Station, stating that he does not
consider the promotion of Captain Delacombe at all necessary;
and I am to acquaint you that, under the circumstances, their
Lordships are disposed to concur in that opinion.
to send you, for the information of Lord Granville a copy of a
letter which they have received from Rear Admiral Hastings the
Commander in Chief on the Station, stating that he does not
consider the promotion of Captain Delacombe at all necessary;
and I am to acquaint you that, under the circumstances, their
Lordships are disposed to concur in that opinion.
Minutes by CO staff
The question arose from an enquiry from the F.O. (9064)
whether any objection should be taken to the American
officer being retained there on his promotion from Captain to
Major. To this no objection could be raised, & in so informing
the
Admiralty the D. of Buckingham left it to them to say
whether our Officer should also be promoted. The Govr having
forwarded an application from our Officer for promotion his
Grace informed the Admy that in his opinion it was deserving of
consideration. In this view—that is in favor of the
promotion—the Admy concurred considering it desirable & they
therefore informed Admiral Hastings that Captain Delacombe was
to be promoted
provided it
appeared to him that it wd be conducive to the good of the public Service.
Admiralty the D. of Buckingham left it to them to say
whether our Officer should also be promoted. The Govr having
forwarded an application from our Officer for promotion his
Grace informed the Admy that in his opinion it was deserving of
consideration. In this view—that is in favor of the
promotion—the Admy concurred considering it desirable & they
therefore informed Admiral Hastings that Captain Delacombe was
to be promoted
provided it
appeared to him that it wd be conducive to the good of the public Service.
Such is the history of the promotion of our Officer.
The subsequent despatches from the Govr 102, 834 (2), 537
(1)—do not touch the question—834 is the acknt.
Admiral Hastings says the promotion is unnecessary & I conclude
has not given it to Captain Delacombe.
It appears to be a
matter of very little consequence & one that
really neither the Govr nor this office have any concern—&
perhaps we have already interfered more than we ought.
matter of very little consequence & one that
really neither the Govr nor this office have any concern—&
perhaps we have already interfered more than we ought.
And I therefore think it will be best to send a copy of this to
the F.O. with request to be informed what answer Lord Clarendon
would recommend should be returned
to the Admiralty.
to the Admiralty.
CC
4/3
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Rear Admiral G.F. Hastings to Secretary of the Admiralty, 7
January 1869, stating opinion that promotion of Captain
Delacombe is unnecessary and undesirable.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office, 10 March 1869, forwarding
copy of Admiralty letter and asking what answer should be returned.