EDMUND HEAD

(No. 16).

Downing Street, 13th April, 1855. SIR,

Her Majesty's Government hâve long had under their considération the necessity of establishing a clear understanding with the Government of Canada ,on the suhject of the mcasures mutually to be taken for the military defence of the province, and the suhsidiary arrangements requlsite to that end.

2. Although Canada is happily remote from the direct influence of those hostilities in which this country is at présent engaged, it becomes now even more necessary than before, that the available military resources of the Empire in gênerai, and the purposes to which they are applicable, should be fully ascertained.

3. Relying on the loyalty and patriotism of the inhabitants of Canada, no less than on their rapid advance in ail that constitutes the strength of a community, Her Majesty's Government havc not scrupled to reduce the military force stationed in the colony in time of peace, much below the amount which in former times had been thought advisable ; and the resuit of the measures thus taken has hitherto fully justified their expérience. The course of events of récent years has more and more fully developed the attachment of the Canadian people to the institutions under which they live ; the gratifying proofs which hâve been so lately acknowledged by me, of the deep interest which they take in the success of the arms of Great Britain and her allies in the présent contest, hâve been strongly felt by alll classes throughout thèse kingdoms ; and it is with a feeling of deep satisfaction that we are enabled *o congratulate ourselves on the union thus cemented between communities so far severed by local position, but joined by the ties of common freedom, and of loyal attachment to one Sovereign.

4. Her Majesty's Government propose to make no change in the principle of the relations now subsisting between this country and the province, as regards its military defence. The Impérial Government will remain charged, as before, with the supply and maintenance of military force, for the defence of Canada, as of every other part of Her Majesty's dominions, in the event of its being menaced by foreign arms. They propose also to continue to maintain the force now existing in Canada, or whatever force may be strictly required for the military occupation of the few posts of first-class importance, so as to form a nucleus for the defence of the province.

5. For ail beyond this, they propose to rely on the loyalty and military spirit of the province itself. They are fully aware that if the contingency, now happily remote, should ever occur, of an invasion of Canada by foreign arms, the most valuable aid to the reinforcements of troops which could be supplied from this country, would be afforded by the courage and numbers of an organized militia such as her great population might now enable her to supply. And they are equally persuaded that if the tranquillity of the community should be menaced from within, the necessary force for the maintenance of order, both civil and military, if the Iatter should be required, will be best provided for by the province herself.

C. With respect to the lands now held by the British Government for military purposes, much correspondcncc has at différent times taken place between this departinent and the colonial Government ; and I was in hopcs to bave received, before this time, a report from the province, which Lord Elgin was requested to furnish, classifying Inese lands in such a manner as might enable Her Majesty's Government to arrive at some positive décision as to their ultimate disposai. Although this report has not yet been received, I hâve within the last few days been placed in possession of a printed "Report of the Commissioners appointed to' investigate and report upon the hest means of reorganizing the militia of Canada", which goes far towards supplying

(1) Commons Papers, Canada", Vol. XV, page 359. — Le gouverneur communique cette dépêche à l'Assemblée Législative par " message spécial ", le 14 mai 1855 : Journal Législative Assembly, 1855, page 1104.

the deflcicncy. Having consulted thc home authoritics in more immédiate charge of thèse lands, I bclieve that the information in the possession of Her Majesty's Government is alrrady ncarly sufficient to settle the détails of the plan, when an agrcement bas been estahUshed as to its outlines.

7. Thrse Ord'nance lands are by no means ail of them Crown reserves ; but, as I find noticed in the documents beforc nie, many of them havc been purchased at considérable cost to the Impérial treasury.

8. It is not, however, thc intention of Her Majesty's Government to make any distinction between reserves and purchased lands ; they wish to deal with the entire property solely with a view to the permanent interests of the province.

9. With this view it appears to them that thc Ordnance lands at Québec, Montréal, and Kingston, should be retaincd for purposes of defence, in the hands of the Impérial Government. Therc may, perhaps, bc portions of thèse lands not requircd for présent or future military use, in which case thèse may be the subject of future arrangement ; but of this I cannot, with the information as yet before me, speak with certainty.

10. There is a second class of lands, not situated at thèse posts, and which will not be permanently occupied by Her Majesty's troops, but which in thc opinion of military judgcs will be of importance for the defence of the province in case of invasion. On somc of them considérable sums hâve been expended with this view. Lands of this class it is proposed to make over to the Canadian Government for occupation and présent use, but with a stipulation that they shall be kept available for military purposes, together with any buildings really requisite for similar purposes, in case they should be requircd at any future time for the defence of Canada.

11. There is lastly a third class, comprising lands which it is not important to retain for military purposes. Thèse it is proposed to make over at once and unconditionally to thc Canadian Government.

12. Should your Government thlnk proper to dévote the funds which may arise from thrir sale or other use to internai defences, as proposed in the Report to which I hâve referred, Her Majesty's Government would regard such an appropriation of thèse funds with much satisfaction, but they do not wish to impose it as a condition of the transfer.

13. I havc already said that Her Majesty's Government are now in possession of materials which may go a long way towards enabling them to effect this classification ; but it would be more satisfactory if they had your assistance in such a manner as you may yourself, with the advice of your Executive Council, suggest towards the seulement of the détails.

14. Whenever final instructions on this subject are conveyed, pending questions touching the disposai of military stores may also be arranged.

15. It is necessary to add that any surrender of thèse lands by Her Majesty's Government must of course be subject to existing engagements respecting them, such as those entered into, in somc fcw instances, with pensioners for their location.

I hâve, Ac,

(Signed) G. GREY

Dépêche de M. Labouchère, ministre des Colonies, à Sir Edmund Head (J)

v,OPY OF DESPATCH from the Rirht Hon. H. LABOUCHERE, M.P., to Gevernor SIR EDMUND HEAD.

(No. 79).

Downing Street, 2nd May 1866.

Sir,

You are aware that the Treaty of Peace provides for thc prompt évacuation by Her Majesty's forces of the foreîgn territories at présent held by them, and that amoag other arrangements for the distribution of the army on its return from active service, orders hâve been given that five régiments shall be selected to be stationed in British North America, of which three are allotted to Canada.

(1) Commons Papers, Canada, Vol. XV, page 361.

2. Such an amount of force is not of a character to afford much room for misconception as to the purpose of Her Majesty's Government ; but still I think it better to address to you a few remarks in explanation of that purpose.

3. Earl Grey's despatch to Lord Elgin of the 14th March 1851, laid down the principes which were then adopted by Her Majesty's Government in regrard to their colonial policy, considered in a military point of view ; and in reserving to the mothercountry the duty of maintaining garrisons for fortresses of chief importance, such as Québec, invited the co-operation of the province for the auxiliary measures of defence. The vigour with which at this moment a militia force is being organized, justifies our continuing to place, as wc do place, the fullest reliance on this policy.

4. It is not of course to be expected that the force of the garrisons alluded to should be at ail times of an unvarying strength. It may vary occasionally from military or political reasons. During the war just ended, when the chief military strength of the empire had to be concentrated for the opérations in the East, régiments stationed in Canada were withdrawn ; and, as my predecessor, Sir George Grey, explained in a despatch dated llth August 1854, increased responsibility vas thrown npon the province.

That emergency has now happily passed away ; but although the regular soldiers in Canada may be more or fewer at any particular time, the policy of Her Majesty's Government continues the same, and they désire to place their main dependence on the well-proved loyalty and courage of Her Majesty's Canadian subjects to repel any hostile ag-gression, should the occasion ever unfortunatcly occur, although in that cvent Her Majesty's Government would not fail to grive to the province the full support of the whole power of the British Empire.

You will take care that no misapprehension on this subject shall exist in Canada which might produce any relaxation of the honourable exertions which the province is now making to establish a suitable military organization, I hâve had the greatest satisfaction in submitting to Her Majesty the accounts which you hâve transmitted to me of the spirit and energy with which ail classes of her Canadian subjects hâve come forward to carry into effect the provisions of the new Militia Act, and I trust that the result will be that this local force will speedily be placed on a footing of permanent effiency.

I hâve, &c,

(Signed) H. LABOUCHERE.