CO885(1-2) — Page 89

Miscellan

کار پرن

CONFIDENTIAL.

Militia in the Colonies.

HELIGOLAND.

THERE is no militia in this island. Soon after the general peace, the garrison, consisting of a detachment of a veteran battalion, was withdrawn and nothing has occurred since that period, of a nature to make it necessary to provide for the defence of the island.

The pursuits of the inhabitants would fit them, in the event of war, for privateering; and it may be assumed that they might form a small force of sea fencibles. But they are wretchedly poor, and

everything must be done for them.

IONIAN ISLANDS.

There is a provision in the charter which con- templates the creation of a militia. But it has never been deemed expedient or safe to call out a local force; on the contrary, it has been necessary to disarm the inhabitants of the larger islands.

Ordinance No. 11

of 1852.

MALTA.

When the French had possession of Valetta, the inhabitants took up arms to aid the British forces in expelling the enemy, and for some time after the the latter had withdrawn, some armed corps con- tinued in existence. But since the island has been in the possession of this country, no militia has been called out.

The present Governor has, however, lately had a law passed in which it is declared "to be expedient to train Her Majesty's subjects residing in Malta to the use of arms.”

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B

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

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