DEFENCE

I havc peruscd with great interest the enclosures in your Despatch of 24th December. [1840], containing reports from Lieut. General Sir Richard Jackson, and Col. Oldfield, the Commanding Officer of Engincers, on this subject.

The question is one of so much importance, that I was not satisfied with referrinx your Dcspach to the Master -General and Board of Ordnance, but I also asked the opi-

(1) Accounts and Papers, 1841, 2nd Session, Vol. II, page 36.

nion of the Commander-in-Chief, «nd requestéd him to consult the Duke of Wellington, whose high authority on every military subject is in this instance of peculiar weight, from the attention he has for many years given to this matter, both on political and on military grounds. Their opinions are transmitted with this Despatch.

Her Majesty's Government agrée in opinion with Lord Hill and Sir Richard Jackson, tliat "no dependence upon the deeided superiority of our troops and arrangements madc for defence connected with them, shouM lead us to neglcct the construction and completion of permanent works calculated for the protection of the points of most importance to us".

They likewisc concur in his Lordship's opinion, that in the event of the construction of thèse or any other works, a large effective regular force, and a militia, registered and enrolled, but not called from their districts, ezcept in case of invasion, will be indispensable.

But it cannot be reasonably expected that works on a large scale should bc undertaken without référence to the great expense to be incurred.

I hâve therefore to inform you that the Government are prepared to state their opinion that, beyond the ordinary estimâtes of the year, £100,000 should yearly be applied for the defence of Canada. At présent, this suni is nearly absorbed in the maintenance of the militia and volunteers. But by a more economical plan this expense might be greatly diminished, and a great portion of the sum of £100,000 deft for the improvement of military communications, and the érection or repair of fortifications.

You will hear further from me on this point when I hâve more fully considered the various plans proposed.

(Signed) J. RUSSELL.

Loi de la Milice, 1846 (*) (Extraits)

An Act to repeal certain Laws therein mentionned, to provide for the botter defence of this Province, and to regulate the Militia thereof.

[9th June, 1846.]

II. — And be it enacted, That the Militia of this Province shall consist of the maie inhabitants thereof, over the âge of eighteen years, and under the âge of sixty years, being natural born subjects of Her Majesty, or naturalized, and having resided more than six months in this Province; and the nicn composing the said Militia shall be divided into two classes, and ail such persons betwcen the âges of eighteen and forty years shall belong to and form the first claSs, and those between the âges of forty and sixty years, shall belong to and form the second class: Provided always, and be it enacted, that in time of peaee the Privâtes of each Régiment of Militia, shall consist of men belonging to the first class only.

XIX. — And be it enacted, That in addition to the Quotas or contingents actually organized, the Governor may call out and embody the whole or such part as may appcar to him expédient of the Militia of any Régiment, Battalion or Company in this Province, in time of actual War with a Foreign Power, to repel invasion, or other pressing exigency, or for any purpose connected with the préservation of the public peacc or the safety of the Province, in such manner as shall to him seem best, and may march the Militia into any part of the Province, and shall also hâve power to mardi the Militia or any portion thereof, to any place without the limita of the Province but conterminous therewith, for the attack of any enemy that may hâve invaded, or may be marching or collected for the purpose of invading this Province, or for the destruction of any vessel or vessels, built or building, or of any Fort, Dépôt

(1) Provincial Statutes of Canada — Statuts de la Province du Canada. — 9 Vict. cap. XXVIII.

or Magazine, formed or forming, by any Foreign Power at War with the Queen, Her Heirs or Successors, from whence the invasion of this Province may be apprebended, and in no other case or cases whatever.

Acte pour abroger certaines lois y mentionnées, pour mieux pourvoir à la défense d* cette Province et pour en régler la Milice.

[9 Juin, 18461

II Et qu'il soit statué, que la milice de cette province sera composée des habitans mâles d'icelle, âgés de plus de dix-huit et de moins de soixante ans, nés sujets de Sa Majesté, ou naturalisés, et ayant résidé plus de six mois en cette province ; et les hommes composant la dite milice seront divisés en deux classes, et tous les habitans de dixhuit à quarante ans, constitueront et formeront la première classe, et ceux de quarante à soixante ans constitueront et formeront la seconde classe : Pourvu toujours, et qu'il soit statué, qu'en tems de paix les soldats de chaque régiment de milice, seront des hommes appartenant à la première classe seulement.

XIX. Et qu'il soit statué, que le gouverneur pourra, en tems de guerre a\ec une puissance étrangère, et cii sus du contingent qui sera alors organisé, faire marcher et incorporer tout régiment, bataillon ou compagnie de milice en cette province ou aucune partie d'icelle, qui lui paraîtra nécessaire pour repousser l'invasion, ou dans d'autres cas piessans, ou conserver la paix publique ou la sûreté de la province en la manière qu'il le jugera le plus avantageux ; et il pourra faire marcher la milice dans eucurc partie de la province; et il aura plein pouvoir de faire marcher la milice ou aucune partie d'icelle, sur aucun point hors des limites de cette province mais y adjacent, pour attaquer un ennemi qui aurait envahi, ou serait en marche, ou s'assemblerait poui envahir cette province, ou pour détruire tout vaisseau ou vaisseaux construits ou en construction, ou tous forts, dépôts ou magasins formés ou en voie de formation pai aucune puissance étrangère en guerre avec la Reine, Ses Héritiers et Successeurs, et d'où l'on pourrait craindre une invasion de cette province, et dans nul autre cas et occasion quelconques.

Déclaration de Sir E.-P. Taché (*)

Dr. TACHE.— Only give justice to the French Canadians, and It

would be seen that their energetic batalions would be the foremost to rush to the Frontier, and there oppose their bodies to any and every assailant. (Cheers). It was too much the habit, however, to calumniate thèse brave men — they were too often described as discontented and impracticable, and the public journals too often accused them of being disloyal and rebellious, while they clalmed for the other race, exclusively, the contrary virtues. He would say to such people, you deceive yourselves — we claim to be children of the same mother as you — treat os like brethren, and not like bastards. (Loud cheers), and be satisfield we will never forget our allegiance, till the last camion which booms on this Continent in defence of Great Britain is fired by the hands of a French Cnnadiun. (Loud applause).

(1) Extrait du "Mirror of Parliament", 1846, 24 avril, page 101.