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enabled to provide men to use them, and if assistance be given "by the loan of a few officers to organize it" a force may be raised sufficient for the protection of St. John's and Harbour Grace.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

Inclosure in No. 131.

JOHN H. GLOVER.

At a Meeting of the Executive Council at Government House, May 14, 1878.

THE Council have fully considered the despatch of the 20th April, 1878, from the Right Honourable the Colonial Minister to his Excellency the Governor, conveying a recommendation of the Colonial Defence Committee that, with a view to the defence of St. John's, two 7-ton rifled guns should be sent here, and inquiring if the local Govern- ment would be prepared to defray the cost of this armament and the necessary works, amounting to 3,2001.

The Council would express their grateful sense of the solicitude thus evinced by Her Majesty's Government for the protection of the interests of Her Majesty's subjects in Newfoundland, with their hope that in connection with this question the circumstances of the Colony may receive that degree of consideration which it appears to the Council they may claim.

In no part of the British dominions is there a population more inspired with loyal devotion to the Throne, or who would more cordially give their utmost aid to the defence of its possessions, than the people of this country. Their pecuniary ability, however, does not correspond to the strength of the feeling by which they are animated. The public revenue is now unequal to the constantly growing requirements of local institutions, and should our trade suffer interruption from any cause, a state of serious depression must necessarily ensue.

Recent exigencies have specially tended to produce the present condition of financial

affairs.

Throughout the last six months there has been a continuous outlay for the relief of distress, occasioned by the total failure of last year's fishery in several parts of the island. This has amounted to a severe strain upon the only monetary resource available here, the Customs receipts. A very large expenditure has also been rendered necessary by the new organizations on the west coast, for which still further obligations will have to be redeemed during the current year. The effect of these undertakings alone is such that the Council cannot avoid a feeling of anxiety regarding the prospects of the Colony in view of its dependence upon the precarious industrial and commercial operations of the coming

season.

The Council, for these reasons, respectfully trust that Her Majesty's Government will appreciate their unwillingness to assume new burthens, and will deem it not unreasonable that the Colony should be provided with the proposed armaments and works from the Exchequer of the parent country.

(Signed) E. D. SHEA, Clerk, Executive Council.

Inclosure 2 in No. 181.

Minute of Executive Council, May 16, 1878.

HIS Excellency the Governor stated to the Council his opinion as to the measures which should be taken for the defence of this Colony, especially of St. John's.

The Council were of opinion that, referring to their Minute of the 14th instant, they must reiterate the opinion there expressed as to the inability of the Government, in view of the financial condition of the Colony, to meet the demands incident to the organization

and maintenance of an armed force,

At the same time the Council are of opinion that, upon a call being made, there would be a ready volunteering to aid any regular force which might be established here by the Imperial Government; and that it would be the duty of this Government to afford pecuniary aid to a limited extent, commensurate with the means at its disposal, towards supplying such volunteers with clothing.

(Signed) E. D. SHEA, Clerk, Executive Council.

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Inclosure 3 in No. 131.

Memorandum of proceedings which occurred at an informal meeting of the Commercial Society at their rooms on Monday, May 13, 1878, when the matter of the defenceless state of the port of St. John's was brought up for consideration.

REFERENCE was made in connection therewith to a communication sent by the Chamber of Commerce to the Governor last year, as also to a Memorial signed by many citizens expressive of their readiness to become volunteers.

General discussion and observation was made on the subject of defence, but no resolution was moved or adopted by the Commercial Society. There was a general expression of opinion and hope that the Imperial Government would send guns and munitions of war necessary for defence, and in such case every effort would be niade by the Society in connection with the community to organize, countefiance, and aid towards the formation of an Artillery Company or Companies or a Naval Brigade to work the guns, and otherwise to act in concert and co-operation with such steps as may be taken for the protection of the place by Imperial and local Governments.

(Signed) S. RENDELL,

President of Chamber of Commerce.

Inclosure 4 in No. 131.

To Sir John Hawley Glover, Knight Grand Cross of the most distinguished Order oť St. Michael and St. George, Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over the Island of Newfoundland and its Dependencies.

May it please your Excellency:

THE undersigned inhabitants of the town of Harbour Grace beg to approach your Excellency with feelings of profound respect.

With your permission, we desire to draw your attention to the unprotected state of this town. It is a subject which we are assured has already received your gravest con- sideration, nor should we venture to trouble you on this occasion, were it not that our object is to afford your Excellency all the support and assistance in our power, to aid you in carrying out the high and important duties intrusted to you by Her Most Gracious Majesty.

During the wars, which for many years have ravaged Europe, Her Majesty's subjects in this Colony in common with her whole Empire, have enjoyed the inestimable blessings of peace and security, but the present uncertain position of affairs is to us a cause of anxiety and apprehension.

Should war unfortunately result between Great Britain and Russia, we have full reliance that the Imperial Government will extend all possible protection to this Colony, as well as other portions of Her Majesty's dominions; extended, however, as they are, to every quarter of the globe, we feel that this duty would be almost beyond the resources of the Empire, great as they undoubtedly are, unless Her Majesty receives the hearty aid and co-operation of all her loyal subjects, and we cheerfully recognize our duty to bear a part in the defence of this Colony.

This town, as your Excellency is aware, is the centre of a large and important trade, and on its stability and safety a considerable portion of the people depend.

For its protection we pray your Excellency to move Her Majesty's Government that

we may be furnished with such armament as you shall deem sufficient.

For the town we engage to organize a Naval Brigade, or other armed body of suck force as your Excellency deems sufficient.

Harbour Grace, May 14, 1878.

We have, &c.

(Signed)

JOHN MUNN.

J. R. BENNETT.

ROBERT S. MUNN.

J. GODDEN.

P. DEVEREUX.

C. W. COSS.

JAMES HIPPERLEY.

C. L. KENNEDY.

WM. P. MUNN. JOHN PATERSON,

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LICO. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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