Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Lugard, Edward to Rogers, Frederic 17 June 1861, CO 305:18, no. 5501, 351.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (2).
Lugard writes Rogers, on behalf of the War Office,
to forward Newcastle a letter by Moody
in which he urges that if Barracks are to built in Vancouver Island no time should be lost in securing the requisite site.Herbert asks if Newcastle believes it will be necessary to
station a Regiment of Infantry in Vancouver Island,and, if he does, whether the colonial or British government will be responsible for the cost of a barracks. The minutes show that Colonial Office staff are not convinced that it will be necessary, or possible, to station British infantry on Vancouver Island, and that, if the construction of a barracks does become necessary, it should be done on Crown land.
Lugard to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
17 June 1861
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to transmit to you
for the consideration of the Duke of Newcastle the inclosed copy of a
letter from Colonel Moody, Commanding the Royal Engineers in British Columbia, in which he urges that if Barracks areto
to be built in
Vancouver Island no time should be lost in securing the requisite
site.
to be built in
Vancouver Island no time should be lost in securing the requisite
site.
Before taking any steps for carrying out this suggestion, Lord Herbert would wish to be informed whether the Duke of Newcastle is of
opinion that it will eventually be necessary to station a Regiment of
Infantry in Vancouver Island, andwhether
whether in that case the expense of
providing Barrack accommodation should be borne by the Local or
Imperial Government.
whether in that case the expense of
providing Barrack accommodation should be borne by the Local or
Imperial Government.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
Is the War Office aware of the difficulties raised by the Horse Guards to which the Duke of Newcastle refers in his minute of 10 Feby on 1081? From the communication addressed to Col: Moody by Sir John Burgoyne the inference rather is that the War Office is not as much informed on the subject as His Grace.
Is the War Office aware of the difficulties raised by the Horse Guards to which the Duke of Newcastle refers in his minute of 10 Feby on 1081? From the communication addressed to Col: Moody by Sir John Burgoyne the inference rather is that the War Office is not as much informed on the subject as His Grace.
We have nothing of later date to supply you with on this point than
the minute above mentd?
ABd
18/6
It seems to be doubtful whether, for an indefinite time to come, a
Regt of the Line will be sent to Vancouver Island. The usual
course is not to
purchase land for Mil[itar]y] purposes, but to reserve what is
necessary out of public lands. I am not aware whether there be more
available for reserve in Vancouver Island. I certainly should not
think that any purchase out of Colonial Revenue should be
sanctioned, without first obtaining the opinion of the Govr. My
inclination would be to
discourage the whole suggestion.
TFE
19 June
Duke of Newcastle
This is a very confused proposition of Col. Moody's. If Barracks are built, the question will be whether they must be built within the Reserve claimed by the H.B.Co.
or without it. If the Reserve sh. be decided to be the private
property of the Co—& if the Barracks must be within it, of course
the land will have to be purchased—if otherwise, ungranted & unsold
Crown Land will probably be available for the purpose.
This is a very confused proposition of Col. Moody's. If Barracks are built, the question will be whether they must be built within the Reserve claimed by the H.B.Co.
or without it. If the Reserve sh. be decided to be the private
property of the Co—& if the Barracks must be within it, of course
the land will have to be purchased—if otherwise, ungranted & unsold
Crown Land will probably be available for the purpose.
I wd point out these facts to the War Office & say that you consider
Col. Moody's suggestion at all events premature—and that you will
obtain further Govrs Report upon the question of a site for Barracks
in case Troops sh. be eventually sent to V. Id—a point on wh. you
think it unnecessary at present to pronounce an opinion. Then write
to Govr enclosing these letters?
CF
20
This letter is one of those cross-purpose productions which we are
apt to receive from the W.O. The [at least one line off microfilm]
the 10th Feby were communicated by the D. of Cambridge to Ld Herbert as well as to me. What may
"eventually" be necessary it is difficult to foresee in such a
matter, but I should hope it wd not be necessary to maintain a Regt
in V.Id—at least not for Colonial purposes. Answer in terms of
Mr Fortescue's minute.
The [at least one line off microfilm]
the 10th Feby were communicated by the D. of Cambridge to Ld Herbert as well as to me. What may
"eventually" be necessary it is difficult to foresee in such a
matter, but I should hope it wd not be necessary to maintain a Regt
in V.Id—at least not for Colonial purposes. Answer in terms of
Mr Fortescue's minute.
N
21
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
R.C. Moody to Inspector General of Fortifications, 24 April 1861,
advising that if barracks were indeed to be constructed, the
"requisite quantity of Land" should be purchased immediately.
Other documents included in the file
Rogers to Under-Secretary of State for War, 28 June 1861, advising
that no action could be taken on Moody's suggestion before
settlement of the land dispute with the Hudson's Bay Company,
or before consultation with the Governor on the subject.
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 62, 25 June 1861,
forwarding copies of correspondence addressing the question of the construction of
a military barracks on Vancouver Island,
and asking Douglas to reply with a report
upon the question of a site for these Buildings.