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No. 175.

Governor Sir A. Musgrave, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.—

(Received June 17.)

(Confidential.)

Sir,

King's House, Jamaica, West Indies, May 23, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt, on the 19th instant, of your despatch, marked Secret and Confidential, and dated on the 30th ultimo.*

I have, &c.

(Signed)

A. MUSGRAVE.

No. 176.

Governor Sir H. Irving, K.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir M. E. Hicks Beach, Bart.- (Received June 17.)

(Secret.) Sir,

Trinidad, May 27, 1878.

I HAVE delayed to reply to your Circular despatch, marked Secret, of the 20th March,† until I should have an opportunity of conferring on the subject with Major-General Farren, commanding the troops in Barbados. This opportunity was afforded me by a visit which General Farren paid to Trinidad on the 9th instant. I have subsequently had an oppor- tunity of consulting with Colonel Fowler, commanding the Royal Engineers in Barbados, who passed through Trinidad last week on his way to British Guiana.

Trinidad possesses no shore defences whatever. The navigation is perfectly easy, and there is nothing to prevent a hostile cruizer from entering the Gulf of Paria and threatening the two sea-ports of the Island, viz., Port of Spain and San Fernando.

The chief protection to these towns against the attack of such a cruizer consists in the shoalness of the water; but there is nothing to prevent her from destroying the shipping which lies out in the open roadsteads, or from shelling the towns at long range. This could be prevented only by the presence of a naval force, or by the construction of batteries of heavy guns on shore, or possibly by the employment of torpedoes. The adoption of any means for this purpose must, of course, rest with Her Majesty's Government.

All that the Colonial Government can do is to devise means for repelling an attempt at landing from a hostile vessel or vessels. This the Colonists should have no difficulty in doing provided that they are armed, disciplined, and properly commanded.

There

The armed force of the Island at present consists of one company of the 35th Regi- ment, and a police force numbering 250 men of all ranks armed with Snider rifles. are no spare rifles or ammunition in store, nor any, I understand, in store at Barbados.

I venture respectfully to suggest that an adequate supply of rifles and ammunition should be despatched to Barbados, to be available for the militia or volunteer forces in the several Islands. Whether a few light guns should not also be furnished to this Colony is a matter which it will be for Her Majesty's Government to determine.

In the event of an outbreak of war, the suggestions I have to offer are that a Field Officer with suitable Staff be appointed to take command of the troops and local forces in Trinidad.

2. That, if possible, the strength of the regular troops in the Island be increased to two companies.

3. That the Governor be authorized to raise volunteer rifle corps of such numerical strength as may be found practicable.

4. And also a Yeomanry corps, which would be useful for patrol or scout duty, and also for maintaining order in case of popular excitement consequent on the threatened landing.

With such a force of regular troops and volunteers, ably commanded, well armed, instructed and drilled, and with the addition (if possible) of a battery of light field artillery, Trinidad ought to be able to give a good account of any hostile landing.

Any damage which a single cruizer or small squadron could do the Colony without landing would consist in the mere destruction of property, for which pecuniary compen- sation could be claimed at the close of the war. But a landing would be a very different matter; and the Colonial Government ought to be strong enough to resist any such attempt, and to maintain its ground until the arrival of naval assistance. The Colony will, I am sure, readily furnish and equip any number of men that may be required for the purpose; and if Her Majesty's Government supply the necessary armament and staff, a

+ No. 15.

• No. 62.

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