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22. I shall be glad to learn what abatement in respect to past payment is finally sanctioned, as it is very desirable that I should be in a position to announce to the Legislature here that their reiterated Petition has been favourably entertained.

23. I hope that some of the observations I have submitted may not be deemed discursive. It would appear that the whole question of the principles on which the Colonies should be called on to contribute towards the military expenditure of the mother- country is at issue, and likely, for the first time, to be thoroughly ventilated. A century has elapsed since the discussion arising out of that question resulted in the loss of the North American Colonies; and although its equitable solution may be of less consequence now, when the Colonial possessions of Great Britain are so wide spread, and, perhaps, redundant; it is not the less desirable that instead of being a source of rancour and heart- burning, it should be placed on clear and intelligible grounds, in the fairness and propriety of which not even the smallest and weakest of the Colonies could refuse to acquiesce.

24. The great bulk of the proprietary body in Mauritius is, as Her Majesty's Govern- ment must be aware, no less French in language and ideas than at the period of the conquest. These French creoles are by no means insensible to the advantages of British rule, and are loyal and well-affected to Her Majesty, but they are prone to consider them- selves treated, on account of their foreign origin, with less indulgence than the inhabitants of other dependencies, and it is not unnatural that they should likewise sometimes be disposed to contrast the relations subsisting between the French Government and the neighbouring Colony of Réunion, which not merely pays nothing for its military defence, but enjoys a gratuitous steam postal communication with France with those of Great Britain towards themselves. Such feelings, I need hardly add, being sedulously fostered by that portion of the press which is conducted by Frenchmen.

25. Briefly to resume the conclusions which I beg to submit, in answer to the reference made to me by your Lordship, I believe that the present garrison would not be adequate to ensure the preservation of tranquillity under readily presumable contingencies; that it would be inexpedient to supplement it by augmenting and arming the police; that

the garrison proposed would suffice to admit of any precaution of this sort being dispensed with; and that there is no good reason, although malarious fever still exists on the coast, and may continue to do so always, why the drafts destined for service in this Colony should not be forthwith ordered on from the Cape, and employed, now that the hurricane season is over, and cool and dry weather is commencing, in butting themselves out on a site which ought to be at once selected, in the vicinity of one of the railway stations in the upper part of Plaines Wilhems District.

Right Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

I have, &c.

(Signed) HENRY BARKLY.

Enclosure 1 in No. 6.

SIR,

Major-General MILMAN to Governor Sir HENRY BARKLY, K.C.B.

Head-Quarters, Mauritius, March 24, 1869. IN compliance with the request contained in your Excellency's lctter of the 13th instant, I have the honour to enclose a memorandum of the amount (exclusive of the pay and allowances of the Royal Engineer Corps) expended on Fort George and Fort William, respectively, in each of the last five years, as also a return showing the number and description of guns now in position in each.

The general state of repair of the sea defences is good, but I do not think the actual armament could resist, for any time, the Marine Artillery of the present day; in which opinion the officer commanding Royal Artillery and the officer commanding Royal Engineers coincide with me.

As this is in some degree an admission of our weakness, may I request your Excellency to be so

good as to consider this communication confidential. Governor Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

EGERTON MILMAN.

[74]

D

Encl. 1 in No. 6.

PUBLIC RECORD, OFFICE

Reference :-

TTTTCO.882

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Encl. 2 in No. ti.

No. 7.

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