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(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
124
No. 231.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street, July 11, 1878.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Colonel Stanley, a copy of a despatch from the Governor-General of Canada, inclosing a copy of an approved Report of the Privy Council relative to the defence of the principal Canadian Atlantic ports, together with a copy of a Report prepared by Lieutenant-General Sir E. S. Smyth, K.C.M.G., Commanding the Militia.*
2. As soon as Sir Lintorn Simmons returns from Berlin, Sir Michael Hicks Beach proposes to refer this despatch to the Colonial Defence Committee for any observations which their experience may lead them to offer, and which may be communicated to the Dominion Government, before the guns now applied for are actually ordered, as it is possible that they may then see reason to modify their decision. Meanwhile Sir Michael Hicks Beach would be glad to be informed how soon after the date of order, and at what price, the seventeen 34-pounder 58-cwt. converted guns and ammunition could be supplied, if required.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 232.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, July 11, 1878.
I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential letter of the 28th ultimo,† on the subject of the defence of Sierra Leone, Barbados, and Jamaica.
2. I am to request that you will state to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that Sir Michael Hicks Beach, looking at the subject from a Colonial point of view, has not felt able to urge the provision of the defences recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for Sierra Leone as a matter of equally pressing importance with those of other Colonial ports. The sum required for its defence (18,2007.) is considerable, and the finan- cial condition of Sierra Leone would not admit of any portion of the cost being charged on Colonial funds. It is of course open to their Lordships, should they think fit to do So, to bring the great importance of Sierra Leone as a coaling station under the consideration of the Treasury, with a view to the provision of the necessary funds for its defence.
I am, &c. (Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 233.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, July 11, 1878. I AM directed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch from the Governor of the Bahamas, in reply to Sir Michael Hicks Beach's Secret Circular despatch of the 20th March last, § of which I also inclose a copy, conveying to the Governors of Colonies instructions as to the measures to be taken in the event of any outbreak of war. A copy of a further despatch from the Governor on the same subject is also inclosed.
2. Looking to the position of the Bahamas, and to the fact that the Colony has no means of providing the funds necessary for any effective defensive measures, Sir Michael Hicks Beach is of opinion that it is highly important that a gun-boat should continue to be stationed at Nassau, and he trusts that their Lordships will be able to give instructions for this purpose.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
* No. 217.
† No. 213.
No. 191.
§ No. 15.
No. 190.
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