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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 made by the Society in connection with the community to organize, countenance, 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 of 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 such force as your Excellency deems sufficient.

Harbour Grace, May 14, 1878.

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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.

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