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No. 167.

The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.—(Received June 12.)

(Secret.) Sir,

Government House, Ottawa, May 28, 1878. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 11th May, marked Secret,* inclosing copies of a report of the Colonial Defence Committee on the defences of Esquimalt and the harbour of Victoria, which have been duly communicated to my Government.

I have, &c. (Signed) DUFFERIN

No. 168.

The Earl of Dufferin to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.-(Received June 12.)

(Confidential.)

Sir,

Government House, Ottawa, May 30, 1878.

I HAVE the honour of submitting to you for the information of Her Majesty's Government a copy of a letter addressed to the Honourable the Acting Minister of Militia and Defence by Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Selby Smyth, setting forth the services that have been carried out for the better protection of the Canadian sca-board, as well as the land frontier along the boundary line.

DUFFERIN.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

Inclosure in No. 168.

Sir,

Lieutenant-General Sir E. Selby Smyth to the Acting Minister of Militia and Defence.

Ottawa, May 29, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to report that since writing my letter, dated the 3rd instant, addressed to the Minister of Militia, representing my impressions of the consequences that might follow upon the arrival of the steamer "Cimbria " from Russia, in the port of Ellsworth, State of Maine, I have carried out the following services for the better protection of our sea-board as well as the land frontier along the boundary line, viz. :-

Nova Scotia.

Two 32-pounder guns placed in battery at New Liverpool, and a battery of artillery- men ordered to be raised and instructed in gunnery.

Four 32-pounder guns mounted at Yarmouth (south point), and a battery of artillerymen to be raised and instructed by a non-Commissioned Officer of Royal Artillery.

Four 32-pounder guns to be mounted at Sydney, Cape Breton, and a battery of artillerymen to be raised.

The battery of six 32-pounder guns at Digby, entrance to Bay of Annapolis, to be repaired and rendered fit for service. The battery of artillerymen to be instructed more perfect in gunnery.

The efficient battery at Pictou to be supplied with service ammunition; likewise those before named.

New Brunswick.

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Fort Dufferin at St. John armed with five converted rifled guns and two 32-pounders. This is an excellent commanding work.

Red Head battery to be armed with four 32-pounder guns to cross fire with Fort Dufferin to command entrance by both channels.

Partridge Island lying in the entrance and dividing the two channels. Works to be thoroughly repaired; its armament consists of two 8-inch guns, two long 68 guns, one 32-pounder and one 18-pounder.

Barrack battery, inside the harbour four 32-pounder guns.

* No. 90.

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