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No. 210.
Governor Sir A. Musgrave, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.- (Received June 27.)
(Confidential.) Sir,
Jamaica, June 8, 1878. I HAVE given my careful consideration to the subject of your despatches, Circular, Secret, of 20th March,* and Jamaica, Confidential, of 30th April last, but I find it to be very difficult to take effective steps for defensive preparation of any kind in this Colony.
2. The militia laws nominally in existence are practically inoperative, in consequence of their provisions having fallen into abeyance.
They cannot be put in force without fresh legislation. There are no volunteer corps, and the Colony is quite unprovided with arms, ammunition, or military equipments, and even the reserve store of arms in possession of the military authorities only amounts to 263 rifles.
3. I shall have a militia law prepared, which in event of necessity may be passed at once by the Legislative Council, and may enable me to raise a small force of about 500 men for the defence of Kingston; but my action in respect of this measure will depend upon the directions I may receive from you, and which I request may be sent by cypher telegram, in case it should appear that there is necessity for urgent preparation. And in this case I must also request that I may be at once furnished with the arms, ammunition, and accoutrements for the force to be raised, the liability for the expense of the equipment being left for future settlement, as has been proposed with regard to the contemplated fortification of Port Royal.
4. Without much greater expense, and without guns being furnished for artillery companies, it will be well nigh impossible to do anything worth doing specifically for the defence of Montego Bay, Falmouth, and other towns and harbours on the north side of the island. But one most useful means of affording these assistance from Kingston in case of need would be furnished by a line of electric telegraph for the transmission of intelligence. Colonel Hackett, the officer in command of the troops, regards this as very important.
5. I have had this work in contemplation on grounds of general public utility. The cost would not be more than 7,000l. to connect all the principal places on the north side with Kingston. The necessary funds can be advanced from the Savings Bank deposits. held on public account. And unless I hear from you to the contrary, I shall hold myself at liberty to construct this work at once. I shall, without delay, ascertain whether it may be possible to enter into a contract for this service with persons in the United States who are accustomed to undertake this kind of work in new country, where cheap and speedy construction is an object to be kept in view.
6. From the tenour of recent public intelligence, I hope that the present condition of affairs is not so critical as it was a short time ago, and that there is greater prospect of peace being maintained, but I repeat my request that I may have timely information by telegraph of any necessity for prompt action, as under no cicumstances can any prepara- tions be very quickly made.
I have, &c. (Signed)
A. MUSGRAVE,
* No. 15.
+ No. 62.
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