1
18th Feb., 1862.
15th
17
26th
26th
27th
13th March
14
+
(Copy.) Sir,
Sir E. Lugard to Sir F. Rogers.
War Office, 27th March, 1862. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of the several letters from the Colonial Office noted in the margin, enclosing applications from Governors and Lieutenant-Governors in the West Indies for Arms and Ammunition. These requisitions (of which a Schedule is annexed) have suggested to Sir George Lewis the expediency of laying down some general and more definite rules than he finds to be at present in existence.
It would appear that Small Aums, Ordnance, Ammunition, and other Military Stores have, since the year 1854, been furnished by the War Office to very many of the Colonies. They have been supplied as a gift, on loan, or on repayment, and instances have occurred where, even in the same Colony, all three arrangements have alternately been adopted.
In the year 1860, however, in consequence of the attention of the Secretary of State having been drawn to the absence of system in regulating the issues, it was decided that all Rifles for the use of Volunteers in the Colonies, where not paid for, should be supplied on loan, subject to withdrawal. This decision has been adhered to with general consistency.
Ammunition has not, as a rule, been supplied for some time past to any of the Colonies, except upon repayment.
Again, no steps have been taken, except in a few instances, for procuring information from time to time as to the state of the Arms thus lent, or as to the numbers and degree of efficiency of the men for whose service they were designed.
The above considerations have led Sir George Lewis to devise the series of rules and conditions, of which a copy is transmitted herewith, and which I am to request that you will submit to the Duke of Newcastle for his opinion. Should His Grace concur in them Sir George Lewis would wish that copies (which will be supplied for that purpose from hence) should be sent to ali the Colonial Governors for their information and guidance.
I am to add, that Sir George Lewis does not propose to entertain any of the applications from the West Indian Colonies recently forwarded to him, until the Colonial Authorities concerned have been afforded an opportunity of considering the terms on which Arms, &c., will henceforth be issued, and of regulating or renewing their requisitions accordingly.
I have, &c., (Signed)
EDWARD LUGARD.
Sir F. Rogers, Bart,
&c.
&c.
&c.
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