Colonial Despatches
The colonial despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871
Public Offices document
Romaine, William Govett to Rogers, Frederic 29 March 1865, CO 305:27, no. 3004, 27.
Abstract
Public Offices document.
Minutes (4), Enclosures (untranscribed) (1), Other documents (1).
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 letter from Rear Admiral Denman
recommending that a powerful Vessel of War should be employed for the protection of Esquimalt.Blackwood minutes his concern that a vessel controlled by the colonies would inevitably
embarrass the Imperial [Government] in its foreign relations,but Fortescue minutes his opinion that such a vessel would be
the very best, most effective & most economical mode of keeping the Indians in order.
Romaine to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you
herewith, for the information of Mr Secretary Cardwell, a Duplicate
Letter from Rear Admiral Denman, No 34, dated the 19th October
last, representing the necessity for an increase to the Pacific
Squadron, owingto
to the addition contemplated by the United States
Government to their Naval Forces in consequence of the large French
Force on the Coast of Mexico; and recommending that a powerful Vessel
of War should be employed for the protection of Esquimalt, and for
the prevention of aggressions by Native Tribes, upon British Traders.
In
to the addition contemplated by the United States
Government to their Naval Forces in consequence of the large French
Force on the Coast of Mexico; and recommending that a powerful Vessel
of War should be employed for the protection of Esquimalt, and for
the prevention of aggressions by Native Tribes, upon British Traders.
In forwarding Admiral Denman's remarks relating to the employment of
Colonial Steamers, My Lords desire me to observe that the question is
applicable not only to Vancouver's Island, and British Columbia, but
to all other Colonies which are similarly situated.
Minutes by CO staff
Mr Elliot
I have never known an instance of a Colonial vessel—kept for Colonial uses & paid and Officered by a Colony which did not continue to embarrass the Imperial Govt in its foreign relations. Hence I am of opinion that if a vessel is required by V.C. Island & B. Columbia to preserve order on the Coasts & prevent illicit trading with the Indians she should be under the direct orders of the Admiralty & the Admiral on the Station. But we cannot act without knowing 1st whether these Colonies want such a vessel, and 2y whether they are prepared to pay for and maintain her. My persuasion is that V.C.I. will reject the offer if made to her. B. Columbia may accept. But the practical step to take is to ask these Colonies what they wish. And with that view I should send them a copy of Adml Denman's Letter, at least of Sections 5 and 6, & call on the Governors to report explaining that in the event of a colonial vessel being established she wd be paid by them & in all probability officered and manned by the Admy.
I have never known an instance of a Colonial vessel—kept for Colonial uses & paid and Officered by a Colony which did not continue to embarrass the Imperial Govt in its foreign relations. Hence I am of opinion that if a vessel is required by V.C. Island & B. Columbia to preserve order on the Coasts & prevent illicit trading with the Indians she should be under the direct orders of the Admiralty & the Admiral on the Station. But we cannot act without knowing 1st whether these Colonies want such a vessel, and 2y whether they are prepared to pay for and maintain her. My persuasion is that V.C.I. will reject the offer if made to her. B. Columbia may accept. But the practical step to take is to ask these Colonies what they wish. And with that view I should send them a copy of Adml Denman's Letter, at least of Sections 5 and 6, & call on the Governors to report explaining that in the event of a colonial vessel being established she wd be paid by them & in all probability officered and manned by the Admy.
The question raised by Admiral Denman as to increasing the Naval
Force in the Pacific on account of the augmented strength put on by
France and the United States is one which the Admiralty should
propose to the Foreign Office, & not to this Office.
ABd
31 March
Mr Fortescue
I should ask the Governors' opinion on having a Colonial vessel—but I should be against any proviso about her being manned or officered by the Admy, or being under the orders of the Admiralty. I would have either a Colonial Vessel or none.
I should ask the Governors' opinion on having a Colonial vessel—but I should be against any proviso about her being manned or officered by the Admy, or being under the orders of the Admiralty. I would have either a Colonial Vessel or none.
TFE
31/3
An armed vessel at the disposal of the Govts of B.C. and V. Id. is
probably the very best, most effective & most economical mode of
keeping the Indians in order; and I think there wd. be good grounds
even for applying to Parlnt for a vote to enable the two Colonies to
procure and maintain such a vessel—seeing that we afford them no
military aid and that the vessel proposed would apparently save the
expense of several gunboats now employed virtually for the same
purposes. But if the Colonies can & will pay, so much the better.
Refer to the two Governors accordingly?
CF
1 April
Send out Copies of the Colonial Naval Reform Bill, with Extracts
from Adml Denman's Letter: & suggest to the Governors the
advantages which they may derive from availing themselves of such
arrangements as are contemplated
by the Bill.
by the Bill.
EC
3 April
