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Inclosure 3 in No. 57.
Commission.
Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdon of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of
the Faith.
By his Excellency James Robert Longden, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over the Island of Ceylon, with the Dependencies thereof.
To-
(Seal.)
(Signed)
J. R. LONGDEN.
The Honourable Lieutenant-Governor John Douglas, C.M.G.; Captain R. D. King, R.N., Flag Captain Her Majesty's ship "Euryalus ;" Colonel R. Warren, commanding Royal Engineers;
Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. Smart, commanding Royal Artillery;
Lieutenant-Colonel John Armitage, commanding Ceylon Light Infantry Volunteers; Lieutenant R. W. Rogers, R.N., of Her Majesty's ship "Euryalus;"
Greeting-
WHEREAS Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies has requested that a careful Report may be prepared on the necessary measures for the defence of certain places in this island, with estimates of cost, the garrisons required, and the assistance which may be expected from local levies;
And whereas We deem it expedient to nominate, constitute, and appoint certain persons to be Commissioners for the purpose of preparing such Report;
Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your prudence, ability, and fidelity, have nominated, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do nominate, constitute, and appoint, you, John Douglas, R. D. King, R. Warren, C. J. Smart, John Armitage, and R. W. Rogers to be Our Commissioners aforesaid.
And We do hereby authorize and empower you, our said Commissioners, to make all necessary inquiries into the said matters, and to report on-
1. The measures necessary for the defence of Ceylon.
2. On the places where defensive forces should be posted or defensive works constructed.
3. On the garrisons that would be required at each of such places.
4. On the assistance that may be expected from local forces at each of such places; and
5. On the probable cost of the works and arrangements that are recommended at each place.
And We do hereby authorize and empower you, Our said Commissioners, to exercise, for the purpose of carrying on the said inquiry, the powers given to Commissioners appointed by Us under the provisions of the Ordinance No. 9 of 1872, entitled, "An Ordinance to empower Commissioners appointed by the Governor to inquire into any matter referred to them for inquiry to hear evidence thereon."
And We do hereby command and require you to report to Us, under your hands, within three months, upon the matters referred to you as aforesaid.
Given at Colombo, in the said Island of Ceylon, this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
Appendix No. 4.
CEYLON.
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By his Excellency's command,
(Signed)
JOHN DOUGLAS,
Colonial Secretary.
Inclosure 4 in No. 57.
Memoranda by Colonel Warren, Commanding Royal Engineers, on the Defence of the Ports of Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee.
HAVING been appointed by his Excellency the Governor one of the Commissioners to inquire into and report on the measures necessary for the defences of Ceylon, and having been favoured by a perusal of the printed correspondence on the subject forwarded by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in which the views of the "Royal Commission on the Defence of the British Possessions and Commerce Abroad" are stated in general terms as to what is required from the Local Committee, I venture to offer the following remarks in my capacity of Commanding Royal Engineer in Ceylon, and on the supposition that each of the ports of Colombo, Galle, and Trincomalee is to be furnished with such means of defence as is abso- lutely necessary with reference to the degree of importance in each case attached to such ports as "coaling and refitting stations for the Royal Navy and mercantile marine in which ships may lie in security, or as ports of refuge only at which ships could be coaled aud refitted, while an enemy would be denied their use."
I observe that the Secretary of State desires that it should be impressed on those by whom these inquiries are conducted, that it "would be most unwise to unduly scatter cur military forces, and for the sake of the defence of small quantities of coal or stores, to court attack or insult which could not readily be repelled," and that the "Royal Commis-
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