Moody requests Parliamentary Blue Books for the Legislative Council Library of British Columbia.
The minutes express annoyance at the timing of Moody’s request, but with some amendments and abridging of his list, the CO sends the request
to the Treasury.
Enclosed is Elliot to the Treasury forwarding a copy of Moody’s letter and amended list as per minute, and asking whether the material requested
could be readily and inexpensively procured; and List of Parliamentary Papers required by Col. Moody R.E. for the use of the British Columbian Expedition.
I do not know, whether it may be in the power of any
department to furnish the enclosed list of Parliamentary Blue Books
for H.M. Service in British Columbia, but I beg to submit that if
such a boon could be granted, it would be of very great service
in the Colony. Much useful information could be extracted from
them, which would be of material assistance, and they would form
the commencement of a Legislative Council Library.
Possibly they could be supplied on the Secretary of State's
order, from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
They should be packed in a box addressed to me "B. Columbia"
per Euphratesimmediate and sent to the care of Richard
Eaton Esq. Military Store Keeper, Tower.
I have the honor to be
Your most obedient humble Servant
R.C. Moody
Col. R.E.
The Under Secretary
of State for the Colonies
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
There are a few of these works that it seems to me might be
omitted; otherwise it wd be very desirable to Comply with Colonel Moody's suggestion. If Sir E. Lytton approves write to the
Treasury to request that the Books may be procured at once and sent
on board the Euphrates addressed to Governor Douglas.
Captn Moody's requisition is of reckless magnitude. Had he
been more moderate in his demands, they might have been more
readily complied with. As it is, there can be no prospect that
such voluminous documents can be collected and packed in time for
shipment by a vessel now getting ready for sea.
I have been through the list and have struck out numerous
parliamentary papers which are either of too old date, or too
irrelevant to the immediate wants of a new Colony, or too bulky and
expensive to be fit to be granted. Even with these omissions the
cost and difficulty of supply will probably be very great.
I would suggest that the abridged list be sent to the Treasury with
a request that the Comptroller of Stationery be called on to state
whether these documents can be furnished within a short time, and
at no immoderate expense, for shipment to B. Columbia.
Draft, Elliot to C.E. Trevelyan, Treasury, 18 November 1858,
forwarding copy of Moody's letter and amended list as per minute,
and asking whether the materials requested could be readily and
inexpensively procured.
Minutes by CO staff
Send to the Treasury a reduced list, leaving out all those which
are marked for omission in the margin of the list submitted by Coll
Moody.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
"List of Parliamentary Papers required by Col. Moody R.E. for
the use of the British Columbian Expedition," eleven pages with
deletions and amendments by colonial staff noted in the margins.