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Despatch to London
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 5 July 1866, CO 305:29, no. 8277, 2.

Abstract
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 5 July 1866, CO 305:29, no. 8277, 2.
Despatch to London. Minutes (5), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (1).
Confidential
5th July 1866
Sir,
I have the honor to transmit the copy of a letter from Mr Allen Francis, United States Consul in this Colony, inquiring whether there would be any objection to the firing of a National Salute on the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence of the United States together with my replytheretoManuscript image thereto.
Notwithstanding my refusal to accord my sanction to the proposed proceeding a scow was chartered on which guns were mounted and being towed to the mouth of the Harbour (half a mile from the Public Offices) a salute of 36 guns was fired at daylight on the 4th July, and repeated at sunset.
Mr Francis the Consul is an uneducated man of very intemperate habits, and I did not think it expedient to takeanyManuscript image any further steps in the matter, but I think the Government of this Colony should be instructed as to the proper course of action in future years.
I believe I am correct in stating that the use of cannon by unauthorized persons in a British Colony is illegal, and proceedings of the nature I now bring under your notice may be reasonably regarded as endangering the public peace, and I am in a position to know that they have given offence to many British subjects.
IManuscript image
I have the honor to be,
Your most obedient Servant
A.E. Kennedy
Governor
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
This is a question I presume on wh: the Foreign Office should be consulted? The Govr asks for instructions for his guidance in future.
VJ 27 Aug
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Sir Adderley
I suppose so. The case requires to be seen by you and Lord Carnarvon.
TFE 28 August
CBA 28/8
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To the F.O. for the informn & opn of Ld S.
C 31 Aug
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Francis to Kennedy, 3 July 1866, asking if there would be any objection "to the firing of a National Salute, on Beacon Hill, on the occasion of the anniversary of the Independence of the United States."
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Kennedy to Francis, 3 July 1866, expressing regret "that I cannot give my official sanction for the firing of National Salutes by individuals of whatever nation."
Other documents included in the file
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Colonial Office to E. Hammond, Foreign Office, 15 September 1866, forwarding copy of the despatch for consideration and asking whether general instructions should be issued to all governors on the subject.
Minutes by CO staff
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Mr Elliot
You may like to see the Enclosed HK correspondence 4324 3867 &c.
WR
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Mr Elliot
I have presumed to make this general. Perhaps you will agree in thinking it a subject which ultimately will be dealt with by a Circular to all Govrs.
WR
Kennedy, Arthur to Cardwell, Edward 5 July 1866, CO 305:29, no. 8277, 2. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/V66049CO.html.

Last modified: 2020-03-30 13:22:16 -0700 (Mon, 30 Mar 2020) (SVN revision: 4193)