Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Despatch to London
Douglas, James to Pelham-Clinton, Henry Pelham Fiennes 27 August 1859, CO 305:11, no. 10035, 129.
Abstract
Despatch to London.
Minutes (3), Other documents (3).
Douglas reports on
withdrawing the Royal Marines from British Columbia and stationing part of them upon Vancouvers Islandin order to protect the Island during the US
occupation of San Juan.Douglas requests that the Treasury pay for
the necessary accommodation for these Troops.Newcastle minutes that
The Treasury will probably ask how so large a sum can have been so quickly spent in temporary barracks for so few men.
No. 42
With reference to the various Despatches I have recently
fowarded upon the Subject of the occupation of San Juan by
American Troops, and to my mention of the arrangements I had
deemed
deemed it requisite to make for the protection of Vancouvers
Island, by withdrawing the Royal Marines from British Columbia and
stationing part of them upon Vancouvers Island, I have the honor
to inform Your Grace that I have been compelled to provide the
necessary accommodation for these Troops, and I have therefore
built a small Barrack for them at Victoria in as cheap a manner
as possible.
deemed it requisite to make for the protection of Vancouvers
Island, by withdrawing the Royal Marines from British Columbia and
stationing part of them upon Vancouvers Island, I have the honor
to inform Your Grace that I have been compelled to provide the
necessary accommodation for these Troops, and I have therefore
built a small Barrack for them at Victoria in as cheap a manner
as possible.
2. The outlay occasioned thereby will amount to about Two
Thousand Pounds (£2000).
3. I
3. I have no funds to meet this expense which I have been
compelled to incur, for an Imperial and not for a Colonial
purpose, for Her Majesty's Territory is actually threatened by
the near proximity and attitude of a large Body of United States
Troops unjustifiably occupying a portion of Territory, which
although disputed, has notwithstanding always been regarded by
Her Majesty's Government as a dependency of Vancouvers Island;
and I have felt it imperative upon me to take such measures to
guard against any possible contingency
contingency, as the means at my
command enabled me to adopt.
3. I have no funds to meet this expense which I have been
compelled to incur, for an Imperial and not for a Colonial
purpose, for Her Majesty's Territory is actually threatened by
the near proximity and attitude of a large Body of United States
Troops unjustifiably occupying a portion of Territory, which
although disputed, has notwithstanding always been regarded by
Her Majesty's Government as a dependency of Vancouvers Island;
and I have felt it imperative upon me to take such measures to
guard against any possible contingency
contingency, as the means at my
command enabled me to adopt.
4. I doubt not that the whole matter will eventually be
amicably arranged by the two Governments, but in the mean time
the excitement occasioned by the act of occupation throughout
Oregon and Washington Territory, and even in California, has
been very great.
5. I have drawn upon Her Majesty's Paymaster General for the
Sum of Two
Two Thousand Pounds for the before mentioned reason, and
I trust Your Grace will be pleased to obtain the requisite
authority from the Treasury, so that the Bills may be paid when
due.
Two Thousand Pounds for the before mentioned reason, and
I trust Your Grace will be pleased to obtain the requisite
authority from the Treasury, so that the Bills may be paid when
due.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
This is an Imperial not a Colonial Expense. As such the War Office is, I presume, the proper Dt of Govt which should apply to the Treasury for means of payment.
This is an Imperial not a Colonial Expense. As such the War Office is, I presume, the proper Dt of Govt which should apply to the Treasury for means of payment.
ABd
10 Oct
I do not think it is necessary to make that circuit and it might
possibly produce an appearance of doubting about the propriety
of the Governor's step. I would therefore rather 
simply send a
copy of the despatch direct to the Treasury & recommend that the
Governor's bill should be accepted and paid.
simply send a
copy of the despatch direct to the Treasury & recommend that the
Governor's bill should be accepted and paid.
TFE
10 Octr
The Treasury will probably ask how so large a sum can have been
so quickly spent in temporary barracks for so few men.
Copy however without comment to Treasury.
N
12
Other documents included in the file
Draft, Elliot to War Office, 5 November 1859, forwarding copy of
the despatch and subsequent letter from Treasury on the subject.
