Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Frederic 18 July 1864, CO 60:20, no. 6810, 5.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Other documents (4).
This document contains mentions of Indigenous Peoples. The authors of these documents
often perpetuate a negative perspective of Indigenous Peoples and it is important
to look critically at these mentions. They sometimes use terminology that is now considered
hurtful and offensive. To learn more about modern terminology pertaining to Indigenous
Peoples, Indigenous ways of knowing, and decolonization, please refer to the Glossary of terms.
Romaine forwards a copy of the Admiralty’s instructions to Denman regarding a
Massacre of Party of Roadmakers by Indiansand expresses his
hopethat Seymour did not mean to
imply that [Seymour] has any authority over Her Majesty's Naval Officers.The Colonial Office minutes their discussion about the Admiralty’s
toneand the proper language governors should use when corresponding with the Navy.
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
18th July 1864
With reference to Mr Elliot's Letter of the 18th
Inst, enclosing a Copy of a Letter from the Governor of
British Columbia relative to the Massacre of a Party of
Roadmakers by Indians, and requesting that suitable
support and protection may be afforded by the Naval Forces
to the Governor; I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information
of Mr Secretary Cardwell, a Copy of the Instructions on
this subject sent to the Senior Officer of Her Majesty's
Ships at Esquimalt by the
Mail of the 16th Inst.
Mail of the 16th Inst.
My Lords observe that Governor Seymour in his Letter uses
the expression "I dispatched a Gun Boat &c," but they hope
that the expression has been used inadvertently and that it
is not intended to imply that he has any authority over
Her Majesty's Naval Officers.
Minutes by CO staff
Is it necessary to notice the observation of the
Admy abt the despatch of the Gun boat. The Governor having
succeeded in borrowing the assistance of a Gun boat she was
necessarily sent by him, where, in his opinion, she cd be most
useful. It is not to be implied, I think, that he meant to assume
"authority over H.M. Naval Officers."
ABd
19 July
No. But Governors are continually using expressions of
this kind, of wh the Admy never fail to complain.
It is therefore desirable that he shd be put on his guard. I shd
add that Mr Cardwell takes it for granted that Mr Seymour is
fully aware that the Govr has no authy over
H.M's Ships & that the word noticed by the Lords
Crs was used in the freedom of semi-official correspce.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Copy, Romaine to Rear Admiral Denman, 16 July 1864, concerning his
actions and responsibilities with regard to such instances as
the massacre of road workers.
Other documents included in the file
Minutes by CO staff
Other documents included in the file
*
Rough draft of despatch No. 23 as noted above, extensively
revised, in Elliot's hand.
Colonial Office to Secretary to the Admiralty, 16 July 1864,
forwarding private letter of the governor reporting the state of
affairs in the colony, and asking that appropriate instructions be
issued to ensure provision of adequate naval support as required.
