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(Secret and Confidential.)

80

No. 163.

War Office to Colonial Office.

War Office, June 7, 1878.

Sir,

I HAVE the honour to inform you that I am desired to state that the Secretary of State for War, being desirous of knowing what has been done with reference to the defence of Esquimalt, would be obliged if the Secretary of State for the Colonies would allow a telegram to be sent to the Governor-General of the Dominion of Canada to the following effect :----

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"7th June. On the question of the necessity for the protection of Esquimalt the Admiralty entertain the strongest possible opinion, as probably the only harbour on the American Pacific Coast Her Majesty's ships would have access to in the event of war. Telegraph steps taken for the construction of works for mounting the guns and providing infantry and artillery force for manning the same, and for protecting Victoria and Esquimalt."

I have, &c.

J. L. A. SIMMONS.

(Signed)

No. 164.

Governor Sir John Glover, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.- (Received June 7.)

Government House, May 30, 1878.

(Confidential.) Sir,

IN reference to my despatch, Confidential, of the 16th instant,* I have the honour to inclose the Report of my Private Secretary, Lieutenant Jackson, who returned from Halifax on the 25th instant.

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2. The measures recommended for the defence of the Colony by the officers com- manding the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers at Halifax are contained in memorandum accompanying the Report.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

JOHN H. GLOVER.

Inclosure 1 in No. 164.

Sir,

Government House, Newfoundland, May 25, 1878. I HAVE the honour to report that, in accordance with your Excellency's instruc- tions, I proceeded to Halifax in the mail of the 17th instant, arriving there on the 19th. On arrival I reported myself to the officer commanding the troops, Colonel Elgee, R.A., who, after consultation, recommended the armament specified in the inclosed memoranda. The guns and stores can be obtained from Ordnance Stores at Halifax, and will be shipped on receipt of authority. The only small arms to spare are about 100 stand of Snider, but accoutrements and ammunition can be supplied. I was unable to obtain torpedoes, the Engineers only having sufficient for their own defences.

I left Halifax in Her Majesty's ship "Pert" on the 19th instant, and arrived at St. John's on the 24th.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

H. JACKSON, Lieutenant, R.A.,

Private Secretary.

His Excellency Sir J. H. Glover, G.C.M.G.,

&c.

&c.

&c.

Inclosure 2 in No. 164.

Opinion as to the Best Means of Defending the Ports of St. John's and Harbour Grace.

Fort Amherst.-To be armed with two 64-pounders bearing east to south.

St. John's.

one 7" or 80-pounder gun to be north to east, and

* No. 131.

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