Colonial Despatches

Augustus Stafford was a British conservative politician who held the position of First Secretary to the Admiralty in 1852.1 He was also an active member of the Canterbury Association.2 He added an additional Stafford to the end of his name in 1847 to differentiate himself from William Smith O'Brien, the Irish revolutionary.3

Stafford sent several despatches under orders from the Admiralty, commonly forwarding important information to interested parties. In this letter, for example, Stafford writes to Merivale to confirm that copies of [his] letter and its enclosures have been sent to Rear Adm. Moresby…for his information and guidance.

• 1. Michael Blain, The Canterbury Association (1848-1852): A Study of Its Members' Connections, 76.
• 2. Ibid.
• 3. Ibid.