Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Phinn, Thomas
to Merivale, Herman 31 October 1855, CO 305:6, no. 10202, 226.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
Phinn writes to Merivale, on behalf of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to forward a copy of Bruce’s report on his visit to Vancouver Island, which argues for “the superiority of Esquimalt over Victoria for the site of a settlement.”
A minute from Blackwood suggests that Phinn’s correspondence be “reserved for future reference,” and Merivale asks that Phinn’s documents be sent to the HBC.
The first of the two documents included in the file is a draft reply from Palmerston to Colvile, which forwards a copy of Phinn’s despatch; the second is Bruce’s report to the Admiralty on his visit to Vancouver Island.
Phinn to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
31 Oct. 1855
Sir,
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to
transmit to you a copy of a despatch from Rear Admiral Bruce, reporting
his having visited Vancouver's Island, & pointing out the superiority of
Esquimalt over Victoria for the site of a settlement; and I am to
request you will call theattention
attention of the Secretary of State to the
points relating to the disposal of land at Esquimalt so particularly
referred to in the Rear Admiral's letter; & to suggest whether it would
not be better to resume the sites most appropriate for an establishment
for the supply of Her Majesty's Ships.
attention of the Secretary of State to the
points relating to the disposal of land at Esquimalt so particularly
referred to in the Rear Admiral's letter; & to suggest whether it would
not be better to resume the sites most appropriate for an establishment
for the supply of Her Majesty's Ships.
Herman Merivale Esq.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Merivale
This information may be valuable hereafter; at present I am not aware that it can be turned to any useful purpose. Shall this be reserved for future reference?
This information may be valuable hereafter; at present I am not aware that it can be turned to any useful purpose. Shall this be reserved for future reference?
ABd
3 Novr
Communicate to the H.B.C. I think.
HM
N 3
Yes.
P
4/11-55
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Palmerston to Colvile, Hudson's Bay Company, 14 November
1855, forwarding copy of Phinn's despatch.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
H.W. Bruce to Ralph Osborne, Admiralty, 11 September 1855,
reporting on his recent visit to Vancouver Island, with an
acccount of the condition of the colony and emphasizing the
superiority of Esquimalt Harbour over that of Victoria.
Minutes by CO staff
(The Governor) at P. 3 of desp: 4064/54 he mentions having
reserved 20 acres for Naval purposes which the Admy (see 4698) have declined.
reserved 20 acres for Naval purposes which the Admy (see 4698) have declined.