Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Lugard, Edward to Rogers, Frederic 9 July 1866, CO 60:26, no. 6491, 218.
Abstract
Lugard, Edward to Rogers, Frederic 9 July 1866, CO 60:26, no. 6491, 218.
Public Offices document.
Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (5), Other documents (1), Marginalia (1).
Lugard to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
I am directed by Secretary Lieut. General Peel to
transmit for the consideration of the Secretary of State
for the Colonies, with a view to such steps being taken as
may appear to be advisable, the accompanying petition
from several men of the Royal Engineers in regard to the
unconditional grant of Land in British Columbia to which
they consider themselves entitled,
together with a letter from Major General Moody Royal Engineers on the
same subject. I am to add that
a communication has been addressed to
the Military Secretary, Horse Guards, relative to the commuted
allowance in lieu of deferred Pension referred to in the first part
of the petition and letter herewith forwarded.
This for the consn of C.O.
[ABd]
a communication has been addressed to
the Military Secretary, Horse Guards, relative to the commuted
allowance in lieu of deferred Pension referred to in the first part
of the petition and letter herewith forwarded.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
In desph 92/Oct 65 No 113 the conditions are quoted on wh. 30 acres of Land in B.C. were to be granted to the Engineers after their term of 6 yrs service in the Colony. They served however only 5 years, which appears to be a cause of complaint on their part. Maj. General Moody says in the annexed Letter that the men were aware of the above conditions & declined the Land (with one exception: see 92). He also points out an error the men make in computing the value at wh. they ask for compensation for the Land they wd not take. In my opinion the Petitioners fail to make out a
sufficient case for relief.
I don't think they have suffered any wrong at the hands
of the Govt—[quoad?]
the Land—for the Govt is not
blameable if the price of skilled labor is so high in
the Colony as not to make it worth the mens while to
accept the Land offered them. And yet the Engineers did
good service whilst they were soldiers, and are still
capable of excellent service to the Colony as Civilians.
If, therefore, it were possible to meet their claims and
not dissatisfy other people they might perhaps be
converted into contented instead of discontented Settlers.
In desph 92/Oct 65 No 113 the conditions are quoted on wh. 30 acres of Land in B.C. were to be granted to the Engineers after their term of 6 yrs service in the Colony. They served however only 5 years, which appears to be a cause of complaint on their part. Maj. General Moody says in the annexed Letter that the men were aware of the above conditions & declined the Land (with one exception: see 92). He also points out an error the men make in computing the value at wh. they ask for compensation for the Land they wd not take. In my opinion the Petitioners fail to make out a
sufficient case for relief.
I don't think they have suffered any wrong at the hands
of the Govt—[quoad?]
the Land—for the Govt is not
blameable if the price of skilled labor is so high in
the Colony as not to make it worth the mens while to
accept the Land offered them. And yet the Engineers did
good service whilst they were soldiers, and are still
capable of excellent service to the Colony as Civilians.
If, therefore, it were possible to meet their claims and
not dissatisfy other people they might perhaps be
converted into contented instead of discontented Settlers.
ABd
11 July
I think that it would be advantageous to submit this
case to the investigation of the Land & Emigration
Cmrs. Transmit to them a copy of the present letter from
the War Office, with the Enclosures in original. Send
to them at the same time the whole of the correspondence
in the case of McColl. State that Lord Carnarvon will
be glad to receive any observations which may occur to
them on the petition now received from the men of the
Royal Engineers relative to their claims to Land in B. Columbia.
Draft.
TFE
14 July
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Petition, late Royal Engineers to Duke of Cambridge, 12 March
1866, asking for compensation in lieu of deferred pension, seven
signatures.
Statement of persons last serving in the Columbia detachment
of Royal Engineers making application as noted above.
"Instructions for Volunteers for British Columbia," detailing
the conditions under which the men agreed to serve in the colony.
R.C. Moody, 2 November 1863, describing the financial regulations
of the service in relation to compensation for William Hall, late
corporal in the Royal Engineers.
Moody to Assistant Adjutant General, Royal Engineers, 5 June
1866, commenting favourably on the appeal of the petitioners, with
explanation.
Other documents included in the file
Elliot to Emigration Commissioners, 23 July 1866, forwarding
correspondence regarding compensation for observations and suggestions.