Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Corry, Henry Thomas Lowry to Merivale, Herman 28 June 1858, CO 305:9, no. 6214, 291.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (7), Other documents (1).
Corry informs the CO that orders will be sent to Admiral Baynes to have some member of the Pacific fleet to proceed to Vancouver Island “for the purpose of ascertaining whether the Naval Force already stationed there
is sufficient for the support of the Civil Authority and the protection of British
Interests.”
The minutes evaluate whether the marines will travel deep into the gold region, or
if a “demonstration” of strength may be better to prevent the “extreme probability”
of desertion.
Corry to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
28th June 1858
[Sir]
I have received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty your Letter of the 26th Inst with its enclosure from
the Governor of Vancouver Island, relative to a Steam Vessel
being stationed for the present at that Island to protect
British Interests, in consequence of the number of persons
resorting to the recently discovered Gold Fields in Her
Majesty's Dominions in North Western America in the
neighbourhood of Frazer's River.
My
My Lords desire me to state for the information of Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton that orders will be sent to Rear Admiral Baynes
the Commander in Chief of Her Majesty's Ships on the Pacific
Station either himself to proceed to Vancouver Island, or to
select some Senior Officer to send thither, for the purpose of
ascertaining whether the Naval Force already stationed there is
sufficient for the support of the Civil Authority and the
protection of British Interests—and should the Force not be
considered sufficient the Rear Admiral will be instructed to
send suchin
in addition as he may deem to be necessary.
in addition as he may deem to be necessary.
Minutes by CO staff
Lord Carnarvon
Put by?
Put by?
HM
June 29
Mr Merivale
Will this promise on the part of the Admiralty include the detaching [of] marines or sailors, if necessary, to send up the country to the Gold Mines or to place at some port on the Frasers River?
Will this promise on the part of the Admiralty include the detaching [of] marines or sailors, if necessary, to send up the country to the Gold Mines or to place at some port on the Frasers River?
C
June 29
I presume so, but cannot myself answer the question. It is
obvious that the commanding officers will avoid doing this if
they possibly can, on account of the
extreme
probability of such
marines or seamen deserting. The longer it can be confined to a
demonstration the better, & I should think it best to leave the
matter where it stands?
HM
June 29
I have seen Sir J. Pakington on the subject & the requisite
measures are arranged.
C
June 29
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Perhaps you will pass them on to Sir E. Lytton.
I think it wd be desirable that a confidential letter sd be
prepared to send to Govr Douglas by the 1st July apprising him
of the private Instructions wh Sir J. Pakington has promised to
send to the Admiral on the Pacific Station. Our
official desp.
sd enclose the copy of Letter from the Admiralty wh we
received this morning?
official desp.
sd enclose the copy of Letter from the Admiralty wh we
received this morning?
C
June 29
Sir E. Lytton,
I am anxious to obtain at once your approval of some slight
alterations which I have suggested in these drafts in
consequence of the Foreign office letter accompanying, which I
have marked immediate, & which has crossed ours.
HM
June 29