No. 168

Referring to my Despatch No 133 of the 11th of April last,
in which I report having made arrangements for the removal of the
volunteer Force of Royal Marines arrived at Vancouver's Island in
Her Majesty's Ship Tribune, from Esquimalt to Queensborough for
service in British Columbia, I have now the honor to acquaint you
that 6 Officers and 133 Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates were
embarked onboard the Satellite in Esquimalt Harbour on the 14th
April, were transferred to the Plumper at the entrance of Fraser's
River on the 15th April, and were shortly afterwards disembarked
at Queensborough.

2. The remainder of the Detachment consisting of about 1 Officer
& 27 Men including the Sick, were retained at Esquimalt, principally
as a Guard for the Treasury
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of British Columbia temporarily
established for the sake of greater convenience at Victoria.

3. It is a source of much comfort to me to have so able and
efficient a body of men, as this Detachment appears to be, at my
disposal, but I am at the present time troubled at finding the ways
and means for their proper support.
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It appears that they all
volunteered from China for service in British Columbia, and that in
China they were in the receipt of double pay together with various
rates of working pay when employed upon extra duties. Considering
the manifold temptations to Desertion which exist in a gold
producing Country, where the mining population are ever more or
less in a state of excitement, it requires more than the common
rate of pay to a private soldier to ensure his fidelity, and as a
matter of justness the superior Officer

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must be compensated for the
additional expense to which he is exposed, but apart from these
considerations, it was obvious that the Force should not be placed
in a worse position than they enjoyed in China, under the circumstances
of their volunteering

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for special service in British Columbia and,
indeed, it would seem that they were actually promised

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not only a continance of the benefits they were enjoying,
but the greater inducement of a grant of land, after six years
faithful service, was held out to them.

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4. It was, therefore, incumbent on me, in the absence of any
direct instructions upon the subject, to keep faith with the men to
the best of my ability. I consequently addressed a letter to Colonel
Moody calling upon him to furnish me with any suggestions he might
have to offer. I enclose herewith his reply, together with a letter
from Captain Magin the Officer Commanding the Force, which details
the circumstances of the promises made in China.

5. After due consideration, and viewing the rates of Colonial
Pay granted to the Officers and Men of the Royal Engineers I have
decided upon the following rates of Colonial Pay for the officers
and men of the Royal Marines, it being intended that the same shall
cover all claims for extra work, or for any extra service whatsoever.
.in +6 -3

To the Captains..........14/s per Diem

" " Subalterns........9/s " "

" " Sergeants.........3/s not to exceed 4/s per Diem

" " Corporals.........1/s " " " 3/6 " "

" " Rank & File.......1/s " " " 3/s " "

To be awarded discriminatingly according to conduct, work
performed &c &c.
.in -6 +3

6. The remaining question of the grant of land I submit for
the consideration of Her Majesty's Government. I concur in its
general expediency, and consider it would be a beneficial measure
on behalf of the Colony, the more particularly under the circumstances
of the situation of the Colony bordering as it does upon the
possessions of a Foreign Power, and it is upon the Frontier that
we propose to make the Free Grants.

7. I also forward herewith, a Copy of Colonel Moody's letter
requesting me to transfer the Force of Royal Marines to Queensborough,
and pointing out how they could be profitably employed. I am sorry
to say, however, that Colonel Moody's anticipations as to the
return to be expected from their labor by the sale of the wood
cut, have not been realized.

Trusting my proceedings herein may meet with your approval.

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