No. 50

At the earnest prayer of Mr Thomas James Skinner I have
the honor to forward a petition which he has addressed to the
Secretary for War, praying for compensation for loss he states
himself to have sustained by the sudden withdrawal of the
detachment of Royal Engineers from this Colony.

2. I am informed that in April 1863 Messrs Skinner and
Clark entered into an agreement to supply the Engineers at New
Westminster with meat and vegetables for one year. At the
expiration of eight months however Colonel Moody gave notice to
the contractors that the Engineers were ordered home, and that
the contract would have to be terminated in a fortnight.

3. The contractors complain that they were deprived of four
months privilege of supplying the troops during the winter months,
when their principal profits would have been made, the Engineers
being all in Camp at that Season. Also, that they were compelled
at great expense to open butchers' shops at New
Westminster: That,
shortly before the notice given to them by Colonel Moody, an embargo
had been placed on the exportation of cattle from the United States,
which compelled them to purchase cattle at a great price to enable
them to fulfil their contract, and that, on the sudden termination
thereof by Colonel Moody, these cattle were left on their hands to
be disposed of at a loss, the embargo having been as suddenly
removed. I am disposed to think that on these grounds they are
entitled to some compensation.

4. The contractors further urge as a matter of complaint, that,
having memorialized Colonel Moody they received no reply.