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No. 88 A.
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Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. Hicks Beach, Bart.
(Telegraphic.) (Paraphrase.)
May 11, 1878. REFERRING to Secretary of State's telegram of 10th instant,* an officer of artillery will be sent immediately from Quebec or Kingstown to mount the guns at Esquimalt and to take command of the local forces there.
If danger of war is imminent, it is very important that Canadian Government should be immediately informed, as in consequence of Fenian bands now organizing in the United States, it will be necessary to take vigorous steps to protect the frontier along the lakes.
In order to avoid surprise, officers of active militia on the frontier have been ordered to distribute the arms from the several armouries, and Government has taken the preliminary steps for arming some steamers.
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* No. 84.
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