I :iin. &c
(Signed) GRKY.
The Right Hon., the Earl of Klgin and Kincardine, &c, &c, &C.
Dépêche du Duc de Newcastle, ministre des Colonies, à Sir A.
Bannerman, lieutenant-gouverneur de l'Ile du
Prince Edouard 0)
OOPY OF DESPATCH from His Grâce the DUKE OF NEWCASTLE to Lieutenant-Gover-
nor Sir A. BANNERMAN.
(No. 2).
Downing Street, 22nd April 1853.
Sir,
I hâve to acknowledge the receipt of jour lîvspatch, markcd "separatc and conlideiitial", of the llth Mareh, witfa the addresses therein adverted to, to the Queen and to yourself, from the Législative Council and House [of] Assembly of Prince Edward's Island, praying that the detachment of troops now stationed there may not be withdrawn.
You will acquaint the Council and the House of Assembly, that I hâve laid their dutiful address before the (Jueen and that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the same vcry graciously ; but that I hâve not felt myself at liberty to advise Her Majesty to comply with the praycr of the address.
If the colony were theatened with danger of aggression, Her Majesty's Government would not bc slow in affording every assistance for its protection, but no suen danger is threatened and we feel that it is not right to relieve the Législature of Prince Edward's Ishuid from the duty and the charge of maintaining a force, — whether it be police, militia, or cnrolled pensioners, — of sufficient amount to préserve the internai peace of the colony.
We are now reducing the garrisons of both Canada and Nova Scotia ; but some troops must be left there for the occupation of important military works, or for other purposes which are purely military. In Prince Edward's Island, there are no works which require to be occupied for military purposes, or which might not equally well be occupied by a militia force ; nor is there any object for which a military force can be at ail necessary, excepting that of preserving the peace.
I hâve now to remind you again that you hâve not replied to the question which was referred to you by my predecessor, in his despatch of the 2nd of July last, as to the period when it would be perfectly convenient to your government that arrangements should be made for withdrawing the troops, thereby inviting you, of course, to consider the propriety of inaking arrangements for replacing the troops either by police, militia. or enrolled pensioners, as soon as may be practicable.
I hâve held out some expectation that it might bc practicable to send out a Company of pensioners, or at least as many men as, with those now in the colony, might i'orni a company ; but the réalisation of that expectation must be conditional upon the lacility of obtaining lands for the men, as well as upon the colony, being prepared to find labour for them for some months after their arrivai, and also of erecting cottages for their habitation, and upon paying them for those days on which their services may bc required under arms.
It only remains for me to state that I propose to instruct the Major-General cornmanding in Nova Scotia, to withdraw the troops fr>ni Prince Edward's Island before the setting in of the ensuing winter season.
I am, &c,
(Signed) NEWCASTLE.
(1) Commous Papers, Canada, Vol. XV, page 364.
Dépêche du Duc de Newcastle à Sir J.-G. Le Marchant, lieutenantgouverneur de la Nouvelle Ecosse 0)
COPY OP DESPATCH from His Grâce the Duke of NEWCASTLE to Lieut-Goyernor Sir J. GASPARD LE MARCHANT.
(No. 2).
Downing Street, 19th April 1854.
Sir,
I hâve to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 18, of the 30th ultimo, with the addresses to the Queen therein cnclosed from the Législative Council and House of Asscmbly for Nova Scotia, expressive of their readiness to make exertions for the defence of the province, in the event of its bcing found nccessary to withdraw the regular troops which at présent form its garrison.
You will acquaint the législative bodics that I hâve had the honour to lay their addresses before the Queen, and that Her Majesty was pleased to receive the same very graciously, and to express her great gratification at the proof which thèse addresses afford of the Ioyailty and patriotism of the Législative Council and the House of Assenibly of Noya Scotia, enhanced by the unanimity with which the addresses were adopted.
Her Majesty feels that she may repose entire reliance upon the noble offers of assistance which bave thus bcen volunteered to her, in the war in which she is about to be engaged against the Emperor of Russia ; and should circonstances render it nccessary to require elsewhere the services of that portion of Her Majesty's army which at présent forms the garrison of Nova Scotia, Her Majesty feels no appréhension that the safety of that portion of her empire would be endangered by the withdrawal of her troops, whilst the militia is rcady to bear its share in the common defence.
I propose shortly to communicate with you upon the subject of the organization of a force of this nature. In the meantime I hâve to instruct you to transmit to me any particulars of information which you inay be enabled to furnish with regard to the number of men which you should propose to raise in the firs* instance, and the âge and rank of the officers whose services you might be enabled to secure.
You will also report to me what is the quantity, and what the condition of the arms now in the province, and what number of arms and accoutrements would be required to be sent from this country, with a view to enable me to corne to a décision upon the various points which will hâve to be considered in the formation of a military force.
I am, &c„
(Signed) NEWCASTLE.
Dépêche de Sir George Grey, ministre des Colonies, à Lord Elgin, (2)
COPY OF DESPATCH from the Rigrht Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., to the EARL OF ELGIN AND KINCARDINE.
(No. 17).
Downing Street, llth August, 1854.
