ENPages
16
30
Capt. H. M. Denham R.N.F. R.S.
&c. &c. &c.
H.M.S. Herald -
and also to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, copies of the Resolutions unanimously adopted by the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, respectively, and expressing the high sense entertained by this Legislature of the eminent services, both Commercial and scientific, rendered by you during your various exploring expeditions in these waters, to the world at large, and more particularly to Australia, and to Queensland.
I beg further to assure you, on behalf of myself and of my Government, of our full and cordial concurrence in the sentiments of the Legislature, as recorded in the enclosed Resolutions.
I shall transmit by the July mail, copies of the Resolutions of both Houses, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
I have &c.
Signed / G. F. Bowen
31
No. 23
H.M.S. "Herald"
Government House,
20th June 1860.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 20th Inst., I hereby enclose copy of a minute of my Executive Council, by which you will perceive that the Government of Queensland accepts the proposal therein contained; and is willing to submit to the Legislature whatever arrangements may be necessary to admit of the service being commenced whenever the Officer to be entrusted with its direction can be spared.
I have &c.
Sigd / G. F. Bowen
No. 24
Government House,
27th June, 1860.
Sir,
At the request of the Queensland Parliament, I have the honor to transmit a copy of the Resolutions adopted by both Houses, for the purpose of asking your advice and assistance in the examination of the estuary of the river Burdekin.
I entirely concur in the views held on this subject by my Government and by the Legislature of this Colony. Hoping
17
32
Capt. Denham R.N. F.RS. (Royal Navy Fellow of the Royal Society)
&c. &c. &c.
Hoping for an early reply.
I have &c.
Sigd / G. F. Bowen
No 25
Enclosures. Nos. 1 & 2.
The Right Honble, Lord Clarence Paget M.P.
Secretary to the Admiralty
Government House
2nd July, 1860.
My Lord,
At the request of the Parliament of this Colony, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, Copies of the Resolutions unanimiously adopted by the Legislative Council and by the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, respectively, expressing the high sense entertained by this Legislature of the eminent services both Commercial and Scientific, rendered by Captain Denham R.N., Commanding Her Majesty's Ship "Herald" during his various exploring expeditions in these waters, to the world at large, and more particularly to Australia and to Queensland.
2. I beg further to assure the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, on behalf of myself and of my Government, of our full and cordial concurrence in the sentiments of the Legislature, as recorded in the enclosed Resolutions, Copies of which have also been transmitted to Captain Denham himself.
I have &c.
Signed / G.F. Bowen
33
No 26.
Government House,
16th July, 1860.
Sir,
I have the honor to state that I have received and laid before the Executive Council of this Colony, your despatch of the 4th inst., in which you inform me that you had on that day issued orders to the Officer Commanding the Troops at Sydney to send, with as little delay as possible, to Brisbane, a detachment consisting of one subaltern, two sergeants, one drummer, and twenty five rank and file.
2. It appears that these soldiers detailed by you to assist in the protection of Her Majesty's Colony of Queensland have been counter-ordered by the Government of New South Wales.
3. In your previous despatch of the 7th April ult. you informed me that a remonstrance was addressed to you by the Executive of Sydney, against the removal of the Troops you had then placed in orders to proceed to Brisbane.
4. I am now requested by my Council to state, on behalf of the Government of Queensland, that as they apprehend, Her Majesty's Troops are in Australia for the protection of all Her Majesty's subjects, and not for the protection of certain Colonies only; and that it is probably without precedent that the Executive
18
34
Executive of any particular Colony should address a remonstrance to the General Commanding the Troops in this quarter of the globe, against his making such a distribution of the force under his orders as would ensure a fair share of protection to each separate colony within his command.
5. In my despatches of the 11th March, and 30th May ult. I explained the position of this Colony, and the urgent need there is for the presence here of a small detachment of soldiers. As Moreton Bay is only three days sail from New Caledonia, it would proably be the first point of attack in case of a war with France. At the same time, as Brisbane, the Capital of this Colony, is situated about twenty miles up a river, which is not navigable for large vessels, it is liable to be attacked only by the boats of a Man of War. At present, the extensive and valuable British property in this City is practically defenceless even against an attempt of the nature mentioned. But competent authorities are unanimously of opinion that it could be placed in comparative security by the presence here of a Subaltern's party of soldiers, who would form the nucleus, and undertake the instruction in drill and rifle
35
rifle practice, of the corps of police and Volunteers already enrolled; but which cannot be rendered effective without such assistance.
6. If you, Sir, are of opinion that the twenty-five soldiers detached by you for the service of Queensland, would be a material addition to the considerable naval and military force already assembled in New Zealand, the Government of this Colony most readily bows to your professional judgement. But the Government of Queensland courteously, but emphatically, protests against any interference whatsover, on the part of the Executive of New South Wales, between the Representative of the Queen in this Colony, and the General Commanding Her Majesty's forces in Australia. We are ready to incur much risk, and to make large sacrifices for the assistance of our fellow subjects at the seat of war; but it would be wholly unreasonable that out very moderate request for protection, already acceded to by yourself, should be set at nought by the Executive of New South Wales, with the object of increasing by twenty-five men the garrison of Sydney.
7. I beg, therefore, on behalf of this Government, that you will, if it be in your power to do so, carry out the intention expressed in your despatch of the 4th inst., and order the Officer Commanding
19
36
Commanding H.M. Troops in Australia
Commanding at Sydney to send to Brisbane forthwith the detachment detailed for this place. Should, however, subsequent events have caused you to alter that intention, I beg urgently to request you to issue imperative orders that there may be despatched to Brisbane by the first steamer from Sydney, a non-commissioned officer, capable of instructing the volunteer corps of Queensland in rifle practice.
8. This Government is ready to defray the passage of such non-commissioned Officer, to provide him with good quarters in the barracks at Brisbane, and to furnish him, in addition to his Imperial pay, with such reasonable Colonial allowances as his Commanding Officer may point out in a letter to be addressed to myself.
I have etc.
Signed / G.F. Bowen.
No. 27
Government House,
24th July, 1860.
Sir,
I have the honor herewith to transmit a copy of certain Resolutions adopted unanimously, by the Parliament of Queensland, respecting the establishment of steam
37
Steam Postal communication with Europe and Asia via Torres Straits and Singapore. Both Houses of the Legislature have presented Addresses requesting me to take the necessary steps with a view to give effect to these Resolutions.
2. I beg, therefore, that you will bring the subject before your Executive Council, and favour me (with as little delay as possible,) with the decision of the Government of New South Wales; - in order that we may, (if it can be so arranged,) address Her Majesty's Government in concert on the whole scheme, by the August Mail.
3. The manifold advantages of the proposed route are so well known that it would be superfluous that I should enumerate them on the present occasion.
4. As a smaller class of Steamers will be required for the passage by Torres Straits than is required for the passage by Cape Leuwin, the contract will probably be within the means of a Colonial Company. Sydney would naturally be the terminus of the line at the Australian end, the steamers receiving and depositing on each trip the mails and passengers for [Queensland]] at the pilot station at the entrance of Moreton Bay. The proposition of the subsidy payable by the Mother Country, and by each Colony respectively would probably be arranged on the plan hitherto followed
20
38
His Excellency Governor-General Sir W. T. Denison K.C.B. &c. &c. &c. Sydney
followed in the contract with the Peninsular and Oriental Company.
5. I have addressed a letter of similar purport and of even date herewith to the Governor of New Zealand.
6. It will, I think, be desirable that the Governments of New South Wales and of Queensland should agree upon a joint invitation to the Governor of New Caledonia, with a view of securing the co-operation of that settlement. The French Colony of Reunion, or Bourbon, contributes to the cost of Postal communication between Mauritius and Aden.
7. It will also be well that a joint communication should be addressed to the Governor of the Dutch settlements in the Indian Archipelago. I am informed that there is already periodical steam communication between Singapore, Batavia, and Copang in the Island of Timor. Consequently, it may possibly prove feasible to save a moiety of the expense of the proposed route, by transferring the mails and passengers from the Australian to the Dutch Steamers at Copang.
8. I trust that I shall receive an early reply, stating fully the views of the New South Wales Government on all the parts of this important scheme.
I have &c. Signed / [G. F. Bowen]].
39 No. 28.
Government House, Brisbane, Queensland. 24th July, 1860
Sir, I have the honor herewith to transmit a copy of certain Resolutions adopted unanimously by the Parliament of Queensland, respecting the establishment of Steam Postal Communication with Europe and Asia via Torres Straits and Singapore. Both Houses of the Legislature have presented addresses, requesting me to take the necessary steps with a view to give effect to these Resolutions.
2. I beg, therefore, that you will bring the subject before your Executive Council, and favour me (with as little delay as possible,) with the decision of the Government of New Zealand; in order that the Colonies most interested in the proposed plan may be in a position (if it can be so arranged,) to address Her Majesty's Government in concert on the whole scheme, by an early opportunity.
3. The manifold advantages of the route through Torres Straits (especially since the recent explorations by Captain Denham, of H. M. Ship "Herald",) are so well known, that an enumeration of them on the present occasion would be entirely superfluous.
4. As a smaller class of steamers will be required for the passage by Torres Straits than is required