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may receive the early consideration of the Royal Commission for the Defence of British Possessions and Appendix No. 4. Commerce Abroad.”
You will see from above, which contains substance of all instructions I have received, that the work of Committee is to be mainly to estimate cost of works and additions, and additions to works already suggested, partly executed, and partly awaiting sanction.
The preparation of these estimates will take some time, and the mail just in brings a pressing reminder that the estimates should be sent with as little delay as possible.
Your Excellency will see that Secretary of State charges me and my Government, mainly, as I gather, to ascertain financial facts, to appoint local Committee under my direction, composed of Officers named by your Excellency and by this Government.
The framing estimates of works specified, and their equipment, would require aid of experienced Engineer and Artillery Officer, and I should be glad to have the further aid of so experienced a Staff Officer as your Deputy Adjutant-General.
As regards any question of military opinion, other than estimates of cost, I should be reluctant to express any opinion without being favoured with your Excellency's own views, after you have had all the papers before you; but this need not delay preparation of estimates for works already approved, for which purpose I should be very glad if your Excellency would authorize an Engineer and Artillery Officer on the spot to assist us.
The Commodore has read all the papers, and is furnishing the information required from the Naval authorities.
I have no doubt in a few days you will receive all the papers; but copies will reach you from me in case of your not receiving any sent direct.
P.S. The portions in italic were in cypher, arranged between Sir Bartle Frere's and Sir G Wolseley's Military Secretaries.
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
No. 21.
[Signature illegible.]
Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad to Colonial Office.
13, Delahay Street, January 20, 1880.
Sir,
WITH reference to your letter of the 31st December, 1879,* I am directed by the Royal Commis- sion on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad, to inform you that it would appear that concurrent instructions were not sent to the General Officer Commanding at the Cape at the same time that the despatch of the 22nd October was addressed to the Governor, desiring him to take measures for the formation of a local Committee to consider the defences of the Table Mountain Peninsula.
The Commission think it desirable that the War Office should be requested to send such instructions without delay, with a view to the General Officer Commanding rendering all necessary assistance to the Governor in the formation of the Committee, in case it has not yet been constituted.
I am further to suggest that, as it is important in this matter to lose no time, the War Office should be moved to telegraph at once to the General to this effect.
No. 22.
I have, &c. (Signed)
HERBERT JEKYLL.
Sir,
War Office to Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
War Office, February 28, 1880.
IN forwarding to you, with a view to its being laid before the Royal Commission on Colonial Defence, the inclosed correspondence which has been received from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, relative to the distribution of troops in South Africa, I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to request that the Commissioners on Colonial Defence will give the subject their early con- sideration, and favour the Secretary of State with their views upon it.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
H. G. DEEDES.
Inclosure 1 in No. 22.
Governor Sir Bartle Frere to Colonial Office.
Sir,
Government House, Cape Town, November 1, 1879.
I HAVE the honour to inclose, for your information, copies of a despatch I have received from his Excellency Sir Garnet Wolseley on the distribution of troops in South Africa which he had proposed to the Secretary of State for War, and of my reply.
[1103]
* No. 20.
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I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. B. E. FRERE.
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