38
No. 90.
The Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor-General the Earl of
Dufferin.
Downing Street, May 11, 1878.
(Secret.) My Lord,
1 HAVE the honour to transmit to your Lordship the accompanying copies of the recommendations for the defence of Esquimalt in the event of war made by the Colonial Defence Committee, consisting of Admiral Sir A. Milne, General Sir Lintorn Simmons, and Sir Henry Barkly.
I also have the honour to inform you that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will waive their objection to the temporary loan of the guns in store at Victoria until their · replacement by other guns, or until required for Her Majesty's cruizers. Subject to those conditions, the whole armament in store at Victoria and Esquimalt, whether belonging to the War Office or to the Admiralty, will be at the disposal of the Dominion Government for the defence of those points.
I shall be glad to be informed whether the Dominion Government will be able to *take the necessary steps for placing the available guns in position, and for organizing the force of artillery and infantry recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for manning the batteries and for the defence of the two harbours, whether by raising it locally, or by dispatching it from other parts of the Dominion. If the assistance of skilled officers is required for these purposes, they will be dispatched on your requisition.
The question of the expense of the necessary works and armaments will be separately considered, and a further communication will be made to you on that subject.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
M. E. HICKS BEACH.
39
No. 92.
Colonial Office to Admiralty.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, May 11, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 14th March, stating that there were naval objections to the temporary loan of certain guns in store at Victoria, but that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty had requested the Secretary of State for War to hasten the shipment of certain guns recommended by the Defence Commission to be sent to Esquimalt for the defence of Victoria, I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to state that, understanding from private inquiry that in consideration of the urgency of the case the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will consent to waive their objection to the temporary loan of the guns in store at Victoria, he has informed the Governor-General of Canada by telegraph that those guns will be at the disposal of the Dominion Government for the defence of Esquimalt and Victoria until they are replaced by other guns or ure required by Her Majesty's cruizers. I am to inclose a copy of the despatch embodying the information contained in the telegram which has been addressed to the Governor- General on the subject, and I am to request that you will move their Lordships to issue any directions which
may
be necessary for the loan of the guns in question. Sir Michael Hicks Beach has ascertained that no steps have yet been taken by the War Department for the dispatch of the additional guns referred to in your letter of the 14th March, and I am to request that you will move the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in communicating to that Department the withdrawal of their objection to the temporary loan of the guns in store at Victoria, again to urge the earliest possible dispatch of the new guns.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach is aware that the measures to be taken for the protection of Esquimalt and Victoria concern the naval and military departments of Her Majesty's Government rather than this Office; but, representations having been made to him by the Governor-General of Canada on the subject, he has ventured thus far to press the matter upon the attention of those Departments.
No. 91.
Colonial Office to War Office.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
Downing Street, May 11, 1878. WITH reference to your letter of the 6th instant,* I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to acquaint you that having read page 20 of the Report on Canadian Militia for 1877, of which a copy is annexed, and having caused private inquiry to be made, he has reason to suppose that the guns referred to are still lying in Esquimalt Dockyard, although under a different classification from that under which they were formerly placed, which may account for the supposition at the War Office that they had been returned to England.
The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty will waive their objection to the temporary loan of certain other guns in store at Victoria, and Sir Michael Hicks Beach, understanding that the Secretary of State for War will have no objection to the transfer to the Dominion Government of the guns in Esquimalt Dockyard, has informed the Governor-General that the whole armament in store at Victoria and Esquimalt will be at the disposal of the Dominion Government for the defence of the station until replaced by the guns to be sent out for that purpose, or required for Her Majesty's cruizers..
A telegram was sent to the Governor-General of Canada on the 10th instant, and I am to inclose a copy of the despatch which has been addressed to the Governor-General on the subject, and I am to request that you will move the Secretary of State for War to issue any directions which may be necessary for the delivery of the War Office guns at Esquimalt to the Dominion authorities.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 93.
Governor-General the Earl of Dufferin to the Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach,
(Secret and Confidential.)
(Telegraphic. Paraphrase.)
Bart.
REPLY to telegram of the IIth instant:---
May 13, 1878.
At St. John there are two 8-inch guns, two 68-pounders, fourteen 32-pounders, and two 18-pounders mounted in position, an 8-inch and eight 24-pounders not mounted.
In Fort Dufferin there is also a new battery of five 64-pounder rifled guns, mounted last year, commanding entrance to harbour.
The active force consists of one company of engineers, four batteries of artillery, and one battalion of infantry. Fout batteries more in the vicinity.
At Sydney there are eight 32-pounders mounted. Local force, one battery of artillery and three companies of infantry.
There are at Pictou six 32-pounders mounted and a force of one battery of artillery and one company of infantry.
Yarmouth: Four thirty-two pounders and a force of one battery of artillery in course of organization.
Charlottetown: There are three 32-pounders and a force of two batteries of artillery and two companies of infantry. In the vicinity four (?) more companies.
• Not printed.
1593]
M
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TITI CO. 885
4 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
Page 270Page 271
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.