*
{
The
Army.
The present state of the army requires, in
my opinion,
the oarly and very serious consideration of the Govern- ment, in two points of view; first, as regards the force habitually kept at home, and the means which we have of promptly increasing it in the event of a sudden attack from a powerful enemy; and next, as regards the neces- sity of improving the general character of the army, in- order to meet the growing objection to the use of corporal, punishment for the maintenance of military discipline.
As to the deficiency of force, I entirely agree in the opinion expressed by Sir J. Graham in his secret and confidential memorandum of August 26, 1844, that it is necessary for our safety to be able to command, at any moment, a very considerable military force at home, and that our present means of defence are so inadequate as to cause great danger. His recommendations for meeting this danger are to re-organize the militia and to increase the regular army. I am not prepared to offer any argu- ments against either proposition. The militia ought cer- tainly either to be improved or abolished, and though I should myself be rather inclined to its abolition, I should have no objection to the other alternative, and to an attempt being made to improve this force, provided it were not in the mode proposed by Sir J. Graham, or with the expectation of its becoming any very important part of our means of defence against a foreign enemy.
As to an increase of the army, a good deal has been done since the date of the memorandum; still I am inclined to think that in one description of force, at least, that under the Ordnance, a further increase would be desirable. But it appears to me that if we are to look only to an increase of the regular armny, and to an improve- ment of the militia (retaining the present character of that force), it will be impossible adequately to provide for the defence of this country, without occasioning an increase of expenditure which our finances are not in a condition to bear. Other measures ought, therefore, to be adopted; and in considering what those measures ought to be, it will, I am persuaded, be found of great advantage to keep in view, not only the increase of force, but the improvement of the character of the army. The means which are best calculated to attain one of these ends will
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
TILITIC.O.
885
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