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38

No. 90.

The Right Honourable Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart., to Governor-General the Earl of

(Secret.) My Lord,

Dufferin.

Downing Street, May 11, 1878. I 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.

No. 91.

Colonial Office to War Office.

(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.

• Not printed.

I am, &c.

(Signed)

R. H. MEADE.

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