Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Fortescue, Chichester 28 October 1863, CO 60:17, no. 10420, 65.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Other documents (2).
Romaine to Under-Secretary of State
In reply to your letter of the 24th Instant, requesting to be informed whether Naval Chaplains have any definite rank among Naval
Officers which would admit them to the privileges
of theBritish
British Columbia Military and Naval Settlers Act; with
reference to an application from the Rev. Henry Alexander for
information as to the amount of land to which he would have a
claim, if emigrating; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of theDuke
Duke of Newcastle that Chaplains originally ranked with
Lieutenants, Masters, Surgeons, Paymasters, &ca; that by Order
in Council of 13th May 1859 Chaplains having ten years
service ranked with Commanders; that, by Order in Council of
23rd February 1860, it was ordered that Chaplains should
not hold any Military Rank, but should be treated with all
the consideration due to theirsacred
sacred Office, and that by
Order in Council of 11th June 1863, Chaplains are not
awarded any Military Rank, but that they stand on the List
of Officers of the Civil Rank of the Service, above Solicitor
General of Hospitals and Fleet, who rank with Rear Admirals.
British Columbia Military and Naval Settlers Act; with
reference to an application from the Rev. Henry Alexander for
information as to the amount of land to which he would have a
claim, if emigrating; I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to acquaint you for the information of theDuke
Duke of Newcastle that Chaplains originally ranked with
Lieutenants, Masters, Surgeons, Paymasters, &ca; that by Order
in Council of 13th May 1859 Chaplains having ten years
service ranked with Commanders; that, by Order in Council of
23rd February 1860, it was ordered that Chaplains should
not hold any Military Rank, but should be treated with all
the consideration due to theirsacred
sacred Office, and that by
Order in Council of 11th June 1863, Chaplains are not
awarded any Military Rank, but that they stand on the List
of Officers of the Civil Rank of the Service, above Solicitor
General of Hospitals and Fleet, who rank with Rear Admirals.
Minutes by CO staff
Sir F. Rogers
Inform Mr Alexander that the L.C. Admy having stated that Chaplains in the Navy hold no military rank he is not eligible to a free grant of Land in B.C.
Inform Mr Alexander that the L.C. Admy having stated that Chaplains in the Navy hold no military rank he is not eligible to a free grant of Land in B.C.
Communicate a copy of this Letter to the Land Board for
information.
ABd
28 Oct
I would simply say that Chaplains are not eligible and send
(as Mr Blackwood proposes) to Land Bd for inf.
FR
28/10
It is clearly a right decision. Chaplains have not the
qualifications for settling a country which Military & Naval
Officers have, & in cons. of wh the privilege was given them.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Reverend Alexander, 2 November 1863, advising
chaplains were not eligible for grants of land.
