Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch from London
Grey, Right Honorable, Second Baronet, Sir George
to
Douglas, Sir James 5 August 1854, LAC :, 176.
Abstract
Despatch from London.
Grey writes to Douglas in response to Douglas’s request to better militarize Vancouver Island against possible Russian hostilities. Grey reports the government's rejection of Douglas’s request, at present, and argues that the current naval strategy should “amply suffice
for the protection of the Island.”
Military [No. 1]
Downing Street
5th August 1854
Sir,
I have received your despatch No 27 of the 16th May, reporting the measures which you would recommend for placing Vancouver’s Island in a position to repel any hostile attack and accompanied by a requisition having
for its object the armament, equipment,and
and victualling for 12 months of a Military Force of 500 men to be raised in the
Colony, together with a supply of some light and heavy pieces of Ordinance (with ammunition
&c) for defensive Batteries.
and victualling for 12 months of a Military Force of 500 men to be raised in the
Colony, together with a supply of some light and heavy pieces of Ordinance (with ammunition
&c) for defensive Batteries.
Her Majesty’s Government deem it to be at once both unnecessary and inadvisable to
accede to this requisition.
The lords of the Admiralty have already, at the instance of the Duke of Newcastle, givensuch
such directions to the Admiral on the Station as will secure the Islands being frequently
visited by one or more of the Ships of War under his Command, and Her Majesty’s Government
consider that there is nothing in the present circumstances of the war with Russia
to forbid the hope and expectation that the countenance which will be thus afforded
will not amply suffice for theprotection
protection of the Island.
such directions to the Admiral on the Station as will secure the Islands being frequently
visited by one or more of the Ships of War under his Command, and Her Majesty’s Government
consider that there is nothing in the present circumstances of the war with Russia
to forbid the hope and expectation that the countenance which will be thus afforded
will not amply suffice for theprotection
protection of the Island.