Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Merivale, Herman 4 August 1858, CO 305:9, no. 7714, 297.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
Romaine forwards a letter from Rear Admiral Baynes and its accompanying enclosure from Douglas regarding a Naval force being required at the mouth of the Fraser River to protect British interests in the gold fields.
The minutes “press” for assurance that an adequate force will be supplied.
Enclosed is a draft from Merivale to the Secretary to the Admiralty urging the importance of having a naval force at
Fraser River; Baynes to the Secretary of the Admiralty forwarding a copy of a letter from Douglas and advising that the “Satellite” and “Plumper,” “being already on that coast,” he had no other ships available to send to the area;
and Douglas to Baynes applying for reinforcements for the naval force already on the coast.
Romaine to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Admiralty
4th August 1858
Sir
With reference to Mr Corry's Letter of the 28th June, acquainting you of the directions given to Rear Admiral Baynes
either himself to proceed to Vancouver's Island or to send some
Senior Officer thither with a view to protect British Interests
and to support the Civil Authority in consequence of the
recently discovered Gold Fields in the neighbourhood of Frazers
River; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
to send you herewith,for
for the information of Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes dated
the 25 June, No 83,
and Copy of its enclosure from the Governor of Vancouver Island
relative to a Naval Force being required there.
for the information of Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes dated
the 25 June, No 83,
and Copy of its enclosure from the Governor of Vancouver Island
relative to a Naval Force being required there.
Herman Merivale Esq.
Colonial Office
Colonial Office
Minutes by CO staff
Sir Edward
We have had verbally the promise of Confidential instructions to
Admiral Baynes and the Admiralty Letter of the 28th June gives
us the assurance of
support. I hardly know that we can do much
more except perhaps in acknowledging this letter to press again
the great importance wh you attach to a naval force and the
presence of marines in those waters.
support. I hardly know that we can do much
more except perhaps in acknowledging this letter to press again
the great importance wh you attach to a naval force and the
presence of marines in those waters.
C
Augt 5
Write to press the necessity of a Naval Force at
the earliest moment with Marines.
EBL
Aug 5
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Merivale to Secretary to the Admiralty, 11 August 1858, urging the importance of having a naval force at Fraser River.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
1. R.L. Baynes to Secretary of the Admiralty, 25 June 1858, forwarding copy of a letter from Douglas and advising
that the
Satellite and Plumper, "being already on that coast," he had no
other ships available to send to the area.
