Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Lytton, Edward George Earle Bulwer 27 November 1858, CO 60:1, no. 1051, 443.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (2), Other documents (1).
Douglas informs the CO that he has commanded Captain Grant to proceed to Fort Langley and build accommodations for his and other troops. He has charted the HBC Brigantine Recovery as a temporary shelter for the troops during construction.
The minutes
Signify approval.
No. 35
I have to communicate for your information, that I advised
Capt. Grant, the Officer commanding the Detachment of Royal
Engineers, who lately arrived here for the service of the
Colony of British Columbia, to proceed without delay to
Fort Langley
Fraser's River and to put up buildings there for
the accommodation of his own party and of the other troops
expected from England, as by taking those steps I was of
opinion he would be carrying out to the letter the wishes
of Her Majesty's Government, the instructions of Col. Moody
his Commanding Officer, and my own views with respect to the
requirements of British Columbia.
Fraser's River and to put up buildings there for
the accommodation of his own party and of the other troops
expected from England, as by taking those steps I was of
opinion he would be carrying out to the letter the wishes
of Her Majesty's Government, the instructions of Col. Moody
his Commanding Officer, and my own views with respect to the
requirements of British Columbia.
2. Captain Grant coinciding with me in those views, it
was arranged that the whole detachment of Royal Engineers shouldbe
be transported with all their stores, provisions for four months,
and building materials for the construction of several wooden
houses of respectable size to Fort Langley, an arrangement which
was successfully, and at once, carried into effect.
be transported with all their stores, provisions for four months,
and building materials for the construction of several wooden
houses of respectable size to Fort Langley, an arrangement which
was successfully, and at once, carried into effect.
3. I have further chartered the Hudson's Bay Company's
Brigantine
"Recovery"
1
used hitherto as a revenue-vessel, to
lodge the troops, until houses are erected for their
accommodation so that they are thoroughly protected from the
weatherand
and made as comfortable as circumstances will permit.
and made as comfortable as circumstances will permit.
4. The men are in high spirits and in perfect health.
5. I also made a requisition on Admiral Baynes for a
Medical
Officer
2
to remain with the troops.
Trusting these proceedings may meet with your approbation.
Footnotes
- = HBC brig Recovery The Recovery. Info needed. The ship was used as a revenue cutter in guarding the Fraser River against smuggling. See the Gazette 21 August 1858, 15 and 27 January 1859. ??
- The medical officer was Staff Assistant Surgeon John Vernon Seddall. No, wrong man. Baynes' officer.