Colonial Despatches

In reply to Your Grace's Despatch of the 6th July 1861, "Separate", desiring me to furnish you with the particulars in connection with aclaim claim made by the Board of Admiralty to be repaid certain sums according to Vouchers enclosed amounting in all to Fifty four Pounds Fifteen Shillings and nine pence (£54.15.9) on account of Tables, Hammocks &c supplied to Her Majesty's Ship Tribune, I have the honour to acquaint Your Grace that I believe some misunderstanding must exist in respect to this charge.

2. On examination of the Vouchers I find that the Stores described, were issued by Her Majesty's Ship Tribune to the Detachment of Royal Marines brought by that Ship from China, at the time of their disembarcation at Vancouver Island, and that they were not, as I presume Your Grace apprehends, supplied for the service of the Colonial Government. These Marines, the residueof of whom now form the Garrison at San Juan, the others having been distributed amongst the Squadron, have all along been borne on the Books of one of Her Majesty's Ships for their regimental pay and provisions. I therefore venture to submit that the supply of these Stores was a service legitimately connected with and devolving upon the Naval Department,and and that no claim in respect to it can exist against the Colonial Government.

3. As the original Vouchers were forwarded in Your Graces Despatch, I return them herewith.