Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Frederic 17 May 1860, CO 305:15, no. 5065, 31.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (6), Other documents (2).
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
17 May 1860
I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for
the Colonies, a Copy of a Letter from Rear Admiral Baynes, dated the
28th March, No 42, enclosing a Copy of his Correspondence with the
Governor of Vancouver Island relative to the withdrawal of the Royal
Marines employed as a Military Guard at Fort Victoria for service on the
Island of San Juan, and pointing
pointing out that whilst the Royal Engineers
serving in Vancouver Island and British Columbia are paid very
highly, the Officers and men of the Royal Marines have not received
any Colonial Pay since the Commencement of August 1859.
pointing out that whilst the Royal Engineers
serving in Vancouver Island and British Columbia are paid very
highly, the Officers and men of the Royal Marines have not received
any Colonial Pay since the Commencement of August 1859.
My Lords consider that the conduct of Admiral Baynes in this matter
should be approved; he has acted in strict accordance with the
general spirit of his Instructions, and with reference to the general
question as to the mode in which Military Protection is to be
afforded to Victoria and to other portions of the Territory
Territory of
British Columbia their Lordships can only advert to the observations
contained in their Letter of the 9th June 1859 to the Secretary of
State for War, a Copy of which Letter appears to have been sent on
the 16 June to the Colonial Office from the War Department.
Territory of
British Columbia their Lordships can only advert to the observations
contained in their Letter of the 9th June 1859 to the Secretary of
State for War, a Copy of which Letter appears to have been sent on
the 16 June to the Colonial Office from the War Department.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Perhaps the Governor may address a despatch to the S. of State on this subject, whh may make it advisable to defer ansg this Letter for a short time. In the meanwhile I may observe that as no reason ever existed for stationing a Military force of any Kind at Victoria so neither have any orders been issued for that purpose by the Home Authorities. I therefore think the Governor has no excuse for keeping even one Marine at the seat of Govt when Marines are so much in request elsewhere. As for robbing the Treasury the Legislature had better provide a staff of Constables, if they have any fear on that head.
Perhaps the Governor may address a despatch to the S. of State on this subject, whh may make it advisable to defer ansg this Letter for a short time. In the meanwhile I may observe that as no reason ever existed for stationing a Military force of any Kind at Victoria so neither have any orders been issued for that purpose by the Home Authorities. I therefore think the Governor has no excuse for keeping even one Marine at the seat of Govt when Marines are so much in request elsewhere. As for robbing the Treasury the Legislature had better provide a staff of Constables, if they have any fear on that head.
The answer to the suggestion for extending to the Marines a
colonial (extra) allowance is that no provision has been made for
any, and that there does not appear to exist any sufficient grounds
either in point of service or climate which would justify such extra
payment.
ABd
22/5
I think that it is unnecessary to wait on the chance of hearing from
the Governor. The Admiral's view is beyond all doubt correct.
These Marines were brought from China not as substitutes for a
Police, but to protect the Colony against foreign aggression, and how
could they be more strictly 
employed on such a service than in
occupying the Island of San Juan? I would submit that we may convey
an entire concurrence in the approval which the Admiralty propose to
express of the Admirals views, and that we may add that the Governor
will be so informed. He should then be written to accordingly.
employed on such a service than in
occupying the Island of San Juan? I would submit that we may convey
an entire concurrence in the approval which the Admiralty propose to
express of the Admirals views, and that we may add that the Governor
will be so informed. He should then be written to accordingly.
Governor Douglas is rather too fond of entering into debate with the
Admiral.
On the question of extra-pay, a further Minute will be circulated
with some papers now in my hands.
TFE
29 May
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
R.L. Baynes to Secretary of the Admiralty, 28 March 1860,
forwarding copies of correspondence with Douglas regarding the
detachment of Royal Marines on Vancouver Island, with explanation.
Baynes to Douglas, 20 March 1860, advising that the marines currently
stationed at Fort Victoria would be immediately required for service on
San Juan Island.
Baynes to Douglas, 21 March 1860, advising that in order to match the
American force on San Juan Island, all the Royal Marines at Victoria
would be removed to the island.
