V
62
Inclosure 5 in No. 131.
To His Excellency Sir John H. Glover, G.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chier
in and over the Island of Newfoundland and its dependencies.
May it please your Excellency,
THE Chamber of Commerce of St. John's, having lately had under consideration the defenceless state of the capital in the event of an outbreak of hostilities between Great Britain and any foreign nation, begs respectfully to bring this condition of affairs under the notice of your Excellency in Council.
The fact that some of the great Powers after the Crimean war refused to sign the Treaty of Paris, binding them, in the event of war, not to fit out privateers or issue letters of marque, and, moreover, the immense amount of damage done to commerce by filibusters during the American civil war, lead the Chamber to seriously consider how helpless the Colony is, and how liable it would be to attacks of like character were the friendly relations between Great Britain and such nations as Russia or the United States to be disturbed.
Up to the year 1870) a sufficient garrison of Imperial troops was stationed here, but since their withdrawal nothing has been done to supply their place; and it is the feeling of insecurity caused by the present European complications that has again made the Chamber sensible of the possible ruin that night overtake St. John's under such a state of affairs as indicated.
It is true that during the summer months the coasts of Newfoundland are protected by some ships belonging to the North American fleet, but it is more than likely that in the event of hostilities, their services would be required elsewhere.
Under these circumstances the Chamber of Commerce would respectfully beg your Excellency in Council to take into your favourable consideration this condition of insecurity, and adopt such measures as will relieve the present feeling of anxiety,
W. B. GRIEVE, President.
(Signed)
Inclosure 6 in No. 131.
To His Excellency Sir John Hawley Glover, K.C.M.G., Governor of Newfoundland.
The Memorial of the undersigned citizens of St. John's,
Humbly showeth,
IN the month of August last a meeting of persons favourable to the organization f a volunteer force was held at the drill shed in St. John's, and was largely attended, at which meeting resolutions were passed expressive of the unanimous desire of those present, and a requisition accordingly subscribed.
Memorialists believe that for defensive purposes, as well as for the discharge of military duty, and such an organization as that contemplated at the meeting above referred to, would be expedient.
Memorialists feeling assured of your Excellency's hearty co-operation and support, therefore humbly request that your Excellency will be pleased to bring the foregoing representations before the honourable Executive Council, with a view of giving effect to
the same.
And as in duty bound your memorialists will ever pray.
(Signed)
CHARLES BOWRING.
W. L. MARE.
ROBT. LANGRISH MARE.
E. L. JARVIS.
THOS. R. SMITH.
(and 58 others.)
63
No. 132.
Colonial Office to War Office.
Sir,
Downing Street, May 27, 1878. I AM directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a correspondence with the Agent-General for New Zealand relative to the armament to be provided for that Colony, and I arn to request to be favoured with a reply to the inquiry in the letter from this Office of the 13th instant when it will be completed. I am to observe that, as has already been pointed out, it is desirable that the guns required for this Colony should be supplied at the very earliest practicable moment, and that Sir Michael Hicks Beach presurnes that in deciding not to employ Sir W. Armstrong's works, the Secretary of State for War has fully considered this point.
am, &c.
I
(Signed)
No. 133.
Colonial Office to Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G.
(Secret and Confidential.)
Sir,
R. H. MEADE.
Downing Street, May 27, 1878. I AM directed by Sir Michael 'Hicks Beach to state, in reply to your letter of the 20th instant, that there are no 7-ton and 64-pounder guns on hand, but the armaments recommended by the Defence Committee for New Zealand and other Colonies are being prepared as quickly as possible. Some time, however, must clapse before they are ready,' but Sir Michael Hicks Beach hopes shortly to be in a position to acquaint you when they will be completed, and at the saine time to place you in communication with the War Office, in order that you may make arrangements for their shipment.
1 am to inclose a copy of the report of the Colonial Defence Committee on New Zealand, together with copies of the telegrams which have passed on the subject.
No. 134.
I am, &c. (Signed) R. H. MEADE.
Colonial Office to War Office and Admiralty.
(Secret and Confidential.) Sir,
Downing Street, May 27, 1878. WITH reference to the letter from this Office of the 30th ultimo,‡ I am directed by Sir Michael Hicks Beach to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary of Statc for War, the accompanying copy of a letter from the Treasury§ approving] of provisior being made in the Army and Navy Estimates for the first cost of the works and armaments recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee for Barbados and Jamaica, and I am to request that you will move the Secretary of State for War [Lords. Commissioners of the Admiralty] to give the necessary directions for giving effect to the recommendations of the Committee with the least possible delay.
+
I am to request that you will call the attention of the Secretary of State for War to the paragraph in the previous letter from this Office leaving to the decision of the Military and Naval Departinents the question of adopting the recommendations of the Colonial Defence Committee as regards Sierra Leone.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
R. H. MEADE.
No. 135.
The Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to the Marquis of Normanby, (Secret.) (Paraphrase of Telegram.)
your
PLEASE state if there is any officer of the Royal Engineers or Artillery in New
Downing Street, May 28, 1878. Zealand capable of designing and superintending construction of defensive works. If Government wish it, and will defray expense, the services of a competent officer can be placed at your disposal.
• No. 94.
[593]
+ No. 117.
‡ No. 61.
S No. 125.
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