§ SIR ANDREW AGNEWrose to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether, by the Royal Warrant of July 1, 1848, as well as by the Horse Guards' Circular of April 15, 1862, the Troops engaged in repelling the Fenian Raid in Canada in June, 1866, are not fairly entitled to receive three month's extraordinary field allowance, instead of one month's allowance which has been issued? The House would remember that on the morning of June 1, 1866, about 1,200 Fenians, well clothed and armed, under a person calling himself Colonel O'Neill, crossed from Buffalo and landed at Fort Eric, intending to destroy the Welland Canal. That same day the 1st Battalion of the 16th Regiment, a wing of the 47th, and a field battery, took the field under the command of Colonel Peacocke, and encamped that night at Chippewa. Next day auother field battery, the right wing of the 47th, and a detachment of the 60th Rifles, went to the front under Colonel Lowry. These troops were several weeks under canvas, were entitled to field allowance, and, if entitled at all, it seemed clear, by the Horse Guards' Circular, that it should be for three months, and that paid in advance. The War Office Warrant, although "to be administered and interpreted by the Secretary of State for War," was perfectly clear, and was as follows:—
Extraordinary field allowances are sanctioned in cases when and wherever troops are engaged in military operations in the field in time of war, disturbance, or insurrection, whether actual or apprehended. Mode of Issue.—Extraordinary for three months in advance, commencing from the date of the order to take the field. Rate.—Ensigns, 2s.; lieutenants, 2s. 6d.; captains, 3s. 6d. per diem.1669 If it was answered that the General Commanding-in-Chief in Canada did not apply for more than one month's allowance, or thought it enough, he would reply that the General in immediate command had frequently applied for the three months, did think his officers entitled to it, and both he and his officers were extremely dissatisfied. That dissatisfaction was increased by the fact that General Hastings Doyle, commanding in Nova Scotia, did at once draw and receive three months' field allowance for his division for precisely the same service; and the Home authorities had tacitly admitted the justice of the claim of the Upper Canada Forces by sanctioning General Doyle's claim on behalf of his officers. He trusted the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary for War would give this matter his favourable consideration.