38
I consider if the nucleus was thus formed you would be able to have, in a short time, any amount of good troops, who would take the place of those poor chocolate sepoys of India with their castes, &c.
Governor Sir J. Pope Hennessy, K.C.M.G.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
P.S. This letter is entirely at your service.
Believe, &c.
(Signed)
C. E. GORDON.
No. 58.
War Office to Colonial Office.
C. E. G.
Sir,
War Office, August 11, 1880. IN reply to your letter of the 6th ultimo,* on the subject of the appointment of a local Committee to report upon the defences of Singapore, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Childers to acquaint you, for the information of the Earl of Kimberley, that he concurs in his Lordship's suggestion, that this Committee should be appointed by the Governor of the Colony, the Governor being instructed to place upon the Committee such military officers as may be recommended by the General Officer Commanding.
I have, &c. (Signed)
RALPH THOMPSON.
39
No. 60.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley to Governor Sir F. A. Weld, K.C.M.G.
(Secret.)
Sir,
Downing Street, August 21, 1880. WITH a view to obtain full information as to the best means of providing for the defence of Singapore, both as regards the works to be constructed, and the garrison to be provided, it has been proposed by the Secretary of State for War that a local Committee should be appointed to consider and report upon the question with as little delay as possible, for the future consideration of the Royal Commission on the Defence of British Possessions and Commerce Abroad.
2. I have expressed my concurrence in the proposal of the Secretary of State for War; and I have the honour to request that immediately on the receipt of this despatch you will appoint a Committee consisting of such military officers as may be recommended by the General Officer Commanding and two civiliaus, one or both of whom should be officers of the Local Government. I should also wish you to invite the Naval Commander- in-chief on the station to nominate a naval officer to serve on the Committee.
3. As soon as you are in possession of the Committee's Report, you should submit it to the General Officer Commanding the Troops for his remarks, and you will transmit to me any memorandum with which he may favour you, and furnish me at the same time with such observations of your own as you may desire to lay before me.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
KIMBERLEY.
No. 61.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
C.O. 885 / 5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
(Confidential,) Sir,
No. 59.
Admiralty to Colonial Office.
Admiralty, August 19, 1880. I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd June last,† respecting the conversion of merchant-vessels into armed cruizers, and the copy of despatch from the Governor-General of Canada transmitted therewith, accepting the offer of their Lordships to supply the Dominion Government with a complete set of portable magazines and fittings for working the guns on board such ships.
2. In reply, I am to inform you that it has been proposed to supply each armed merchant-ship with the articles enumerated in the accompanying list. These articles are, however, of the usual service pattern, and consequently patterns need not be sent to Canada.
3. With regard, however, to the magazines and fittings, I am to inform you that a complete set of the following articles has been sent to Deptford in readiness for shipment, and I am to request that you will move the Secretary of State for the Colonies to inform their Lordships to what place, and to whom, these articles shall now be consigned.
Articles to be sent.
1 magazine tank, complete, with lamp, &c.
1 tank for Snider cartridges.
1 case for small arms.
1 box for common shell.
1 box for case shot.
1 ready supply box for case shot and shell.
I cast-iron breeching bollard.
1 sweep piece with framing.
1 train tackle bolt.
1 night signal box.
1 boat signal box.
Sir,
Colonial Office to War Office.
Downing Street, August 21, 1880. WITH reference to your letter of the 11th instant, I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Childers, a copy of a despatch which his Lordship proposes to address to the Governor of the Straits Settle- ments by the next mail, instructing him to appoint a local Committee to consider and report upon the question of the defence of Singapore; and I am to request that the Secretary of State for War will furnish the General Officer Commanding in the Straits Settlements with the necessary instructions.
I am, &c.
Sir,
(Signed)
No. 62.
ROBERT G. W. HERBERT.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
Downing Street, August 21, 1880. I AM directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a despatch† which it is proposed to send to the Governor of the Straits Settlements by the next mail, instructing him to appoint a local Committee to consider and report upon the question of the defence of Singapore; and I am to request that you will move their Lordships to give instructions to the Naval Commander-in-chief on the station to nominate a naval officer to serve on the Committee, on his receiving an application to that effect from the Governor of the Colony.
am, &c.
I
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE. ¡
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL
• No. 36.
† No. 16.
No. 11.
#
• No. 58.
+ No. 60.