CO885(2-3) — Page 512

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

TTC.O.885

COPYRIGHT

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDO |ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THEI BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

18

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5

Ray?.97/9

18

only copy.

CONFIDENTIAL.

to be returned

Brinting Dept.

ما

WAR OFFICE,

"January 1869.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

6

ון וויוו זיון

CO.885

Reference:-

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

MY LORD,

In preparing the Army Estimates for the ensuing year, the first question that arises is the number of men for which it will be necessary to make provision upon the British Establishment, and, in determining this question, the first consideration is what portion of the British Army will remain in this country, and what portion it will be necessary to maintain in the distant possessions of the Crown or on foreign service.

>

In looking at the document, of which I enclose a copy, entitled Distribution of Regimental Estab- lishments, 1868–9, I find that of the whole number

of men voted for the current year, 50,025, are entered under the heading "Total for the Colonies," which includes the Force in Japan.

Of this number—viz., 50,025—no less than 16,185 are entered for British North America, under the several heads of Canada, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.

Of this last number, 3,592 have already been recalled, and I have had submitted to me a letter from the Colonial Office, dated the 8th ultimo, stating that in the opinion of the Duke of Bucking- ham and Chandos a further reduction of the troops serving in the Dominion of Canada might take place so as to leave-

5,000 men in Quebec and Ontario,

2,000 in Nova Scotia,

22

1,650 in New Brunswick.

*

I also learn that in pursuance of a plodge given by the Government of Lord Palmerston in 1865, to the effect that Her Majesty's Government would ask Parliament to guarantee a loan of which the Colonial Government would undertake the primary

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