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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference —
EPILLC.O. 885
1
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
2
Sir,
32
MAURITIUS.
No. 12.
Lord Fitzroy Somerset to J. Stephen, Esq.
Horse Guards, February 28, 1839. WITH reference to the letter from Lord Glenelg to Lord Hill, of the 21st December, upon the subject of withdrawing the service companies of one regiment from the garrison of the Mauritius, increasing at the same time the two battalions that remain to their full establishinent, and thus reducing the numbers of the garrison from 1437 to 1118 rank and file, I have the honour to transmit for the information of the Secretary of State, copy of a despatch from the Governor of the Mauritius, inclosing copy of a correspondence with the Supreme Council of Bengal, in respect to their drawing a military reinforcement from thence in the event of the occurrence of certain possible contingencies, and expressing his confidence that should the General Commanding-in-Chief receive intimation of application having been made to him for a regiment, it may be deemed proper to order the service companies of another regiment to the Mauritius, or to complete the force of that Island to its present numerical strength, from the depots of the two regiments remaining.
It is necessary hore to observe that the numbers required for this purpose, would amount to 319 men more than are computed in Lord Glenelg's letter, and which could not be conveniently supplied from the depots at home, in addition to those ordered to be sent
in that instruction.
J. Stephen, Esq.
My Lord,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 1 in No. 12.
FITZROY SOMERSET,
Sir William Nicolay to Lord Fitzroy Somerset.
Mauritius, November 2, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to transmit herewith, for the information of His Lordship the General Commanding-in-Chief, a copy of a correspondence I have had with the Supreme Council of Bengal, in respect to their drawing a military reinforcement from hence, in the event of the occurrence of certain possible contingencies. His Lordship will perceive thereby, that the Supreme Council do not contemplate an application to Mauritius for troops except "in case of urgent necessity, in the worst contingency that can arise."
As I conceive that, even in time of peace, the strength of infantry for the service of Mauritius ought not to be less than the service companies of three regiments, the detaching of any part of the present force would be attended with considerable inconvenience; still, circumstances may arise where all consideration of this nature ought to give way to others of deeper moment, with respect to the general cause of our country.
In the event, therefore, of my receiving intelligence that the affairs of India are placed in the critical situation adverted to by the Supreme Council, I purpose to send to that country the service companies of one regiment; provided, of course, that there shall be no reason to anticipate that Great Britain may become involved in a more general war; and likewise, that there shall be no prospect of any internal commotion in consequence of the approaching termination of the Negro Apprenticeship in this colony.
I trust that his Lordship, the General Commanding-in-Chief will approve of my intentions; and as it is to be hoped that, at all events, no such demand for military aid will reach me before I can receive his pleasure upon the subject, that I may be favored with his instructions as to the particular regiment to be employed upon the service in question. If, however, the demand from India should be so extremely urgent as to render it necessary for me to act before I can receive his Lordship's directions, I purpose selecting the 87th regiment, as being, from its general discipline, and the greater experience of its officers, the most efficient regiment under my orders, besides its having, from length of service in this command, a preferable claim to move where active service may be expected. The communication between England and India is now so rapid, that the posture of affairs in that country will be know at home, through that means, as soon, perhaps, as your Lordship will receive this despatch, and nearly as soon as I can expect a reply to my letter of the 1st instant, addressed to the Supreme Council of Bengal: 1, therefore, trust that, should General Lord Hill receive intimation of application having been made to me for a regiment, he will deem it proper to order the service companies of another regiment to Mauritius, or to complete the force of this Island to its present numerical strength from the depots of the two regiments remaining.
In conclusion, I have to express my opinion that the citadel of Port Louis will not be completed in less than two years from the present time, unless any circumstances should occur to check the present excessive demand for manual Inbour on the estates, and thereby place a larger share of it at the disposal of the Commanding Royal Engineer.
I have, &c.
(Signed) Lieutenant-General Lord Fitzroy Somerset, K.C.B.
WILLIAM NICOLAY.
Lieutenant-General.
33
Inclosure in No. 12.
The Supreme Council of India to Sir William Nicolay, K.C.H.
Fort William, August 22, 1838. Honourable Sir,
THE Right Honourable the Governor-General las determined upon the necessity of moving forward to the Indus a considerable body of the troops of the Bengal Presidency; and appearances, on the side of Nepal and of Ava, are still so threatening as to require of the Government to maintain towards both an attitude of warlike preparation.
2. We have every hope that matters will not come to the issue with the Burmese; and though our relations with Nepal are unsettled, we still trust to avoid the extremity of war with that nation also: nevertheless, as it is possible if the Government of India should be engaged in distant operations beyond the Indus, that these frontier nations may be induced to think the time favourable for an attack on the British Power, we are induced, at the suggestion of the Right Honourable the Governor-General, to request of your Excellency information whether the military resources and condition of the island under your government would permit of any reinforcement of European troops being sent to India upon emergent requisition, in case the necessity for making such should arise; also to inquire what number of troops your Excellency could, in such a case, spare, and what previous notice it will be necessary to give, and whether arrangements for providing trans- ports for their conveyance to India, must be made here or may be left for the authorities of your Excellency's government, under the assurance that vessels will be forthcoming at the island.
3. We trust your Excellency will excuse our soliciting information on these points, while there is yet no immediate prospect of our being under the necessity of seeking as- sistant from so great a distance. It is merely through an anxiety to know, beforehand, upon what to reckon in the worst contingency that can arise, that we address ourselves We have, &c.
to you.
Lieut-Gen. Sir W. Nicolay. K.C.H.
Inclosure 3 in No. 12.
Honourable Sirs,
(Signed)
A. ROSS. W. MORISON. W. N. BIRD.
Sir William Nicolay to the Supreme Council of India.
Mauritius, November 1, 1838.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 22nd of August last, marked "Secret," and, in reply, I beg to inform you that the military force at the Mauritius consists of the service companies of three regiments of Artillery, one company of Artillery, and half a company of Sappers and Miners; in all about 1,400 effective rank and file. From which any force that could be detached, without risk, in the event of war with European Powers, or of internal commotion upon the emancipation of the apprentices, must necessarily be very small; as, from the composition of the popa- lation of this Island, it has not hitherto been thought advisable to organize a militia.
Your Honours are too sensible of the importance of maintaining this Island under I will, therefore, only British dominion to require any comment on that subject from me.
say that if the call for European troops in India should be very pressing, and that the state of Europe and of this colony will justify the measure, I will be prepared to place at your disposal the service companies of one of the regiments now here.
A few days would suffice for their embarkation, if requisite; and I do not apprehend that there would be much difficulty in obtaining transport here for such a force, except, perhaps, during the hurricane season.
It may perhaps be worth the consideration of the Supreme Council how far it would be practicable and desirable to replace with native troops from India any European regiment withdrawn from Mauritius; so as that the force here may not be materially weakened.
Whatever may be the decision of the Supreme Council in this matter, I request that I may be favoured with their reply at their early convenience, and that, in the event of an application being made to me for troops, the earliest intimation thereof may be made to the Horse Guards.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
K
WILLIAM NICOLAY.