DISTRIBUTION OF TROOPS— EXTRACT

Canada 12,214

Newfoundland 296

Nova Scotia 3,675

Dépêche de Lord Granville à Sir John Young, gouverneur général du Canada (*)

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor General.

Downing Street, 14th April, 1869.

(No 65)

Sir, — 1. Her Majesty's Government hâve had recently under their considération the distribution of Her Majesty's Troops among the British Colonies, and the rate of contribution to be paid to the Impérial Exchequer by the Colonies in which they are placed.

2. As nearly one-third of thèse troops werc till lately stationed in Canada, it need hardly be said that it became, in the first instance, necessary to consider what force should at présent be retained in the Dominion, and on what terms.

3. In determining thèse questions, their attention has been partlcularly directed to the Despatch, No. 95, of the 17th of June, 1865 (2), in which Mr. Cardwell conveyed to Lord Monck the décision of Lord Palmerton's Government on various questions of importance respecting the defence of the then Province of Canada, and also to the Minutes of Committee of Council, transmitted respectively in Lord Monck's Despatch, No. 96, of January 2nd, 1868, and in your Despatch, No. 9, or January 21st, 1869. The former of thèse minutes relates to the naval force then in Canadian waters, the latter to the withdrawal of troops. In both it 1s urged that an exceptional amount of military and naval assistance is due to Canada, as being exposed to danger, not from any Colonial cause, but from the désire of persons called Fenians, to obtain some basis of opérations against Great Britain.

4. Her Majesty's Government trust that the annoyanece arising from the organisation of Fenianism in the United States is fast disappearing. This organisation, founded on the hostile feelings entertained by numerous Irishmen in the United States against Great Britain, derived its substantial importance from the circumstance that

(1) Sessional Papers, 1869, No 60, page 11. — Sessional Papers, 1871, No 46, page 2.

(2) Pièce No 34 ci-dessus.

large armics liad becn recently disbandcd, and were not yet thoroughly absorbed in th« pursuits of peace. Such a state of things must always contain éléments of danger to a neighbouring country, and so far as thc Canadians suffer form it, they suffer not m much from their connection with Great Britain as from an unhappy — I hope a passing — accident of their geographical position.

5. With this observation, which I am by no mcans inclined to press too far, ) proceed to the various matters on which I hâve to convey to you the conclusions of He? Majesty's Government.

6. In the Despatch to which I hâve already alluded, Lord Monck was uxformed tha» if the Province of Canada undertook the primary liability for certain works of defenc* there indicated, Her Majesty's Governement would apply to Parliament for a guarante» of the sura required for that purpose; but that the désire and décision «f the Provincial Législature ought to be pronounced before any such application should be made.

7. At the wish of the Canadian Ministers the matter was reserved for the Parii»ment of the Dominion, which has now pased an Act authorizing the Governor to rais* a sum of £1,000,000 for the proposed purposes, and under the Impérial guarantee.

8. Without anticipating any arrangements of détail which may prove necessary, ] will only hère say that the présent Government are prepared to redeem the pledge of their predecessors, and will introduce into Parliament a Bill authorizing the contemplated guarantee.

9. But they are also of opinion that the military and naval assistance hitherto given to Canada, under circumstances which they hope are now passing away, must al once be very largely reduced. The conclusions at which Her Majesty's Government havs arrived you will find in the annexed extracts from a letter which I hâve received from the Secretary of State for War.

10. In the course of the summer, therefore, it is intended to withdraw from Ontario and Québec, one Begiment of Cavalry, three Batteries of Field and three Batteries of Garrison Artillery, and three Battalions of Infantry, and from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, two Battalions of Infantry and one Field Battery-

11. Halifax will be considered as an Impérial Station, and for its defence a bout 2,000 men will, for the présent, be left in Nova Scotia.

12. About 4,000 men will, for the présent, be left in Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick. But this must be considered a temporary arrangement, and I am disposed to concur with Mr. Cardwell in the opinion that it will soon become unnecessary to maintain any British force in those Provinces, beyond what may be required for the training of the Militia and Volunteers and the maintenance of Scbools of Instruction. The terms on which any of H. M. 's Begiments can be retained in the colony, for this or any other purpose, will be a matter for future considération. Meantimc the Secretary of State for War informs me that Colonial Governments will receive ail possible assistance in obtaining, at their own charge, the services of such commissioned and non-coromissioned officers as they may désire to employ for the organization or instruction of any local force, for the construction, inspection or maintenance of fortifications, or for any other matter connected with Military defence. The War Department will also be ready, when practicable, to furnish them at cost price with such arms, ammunition and milita ry stores as they may need; and, though the matter may be of less interest to Canada than to some other Colonies, I enclose a copy of régulations under which well-«conducted privâtes will be allowed to take service as policemen, or otherwise, if required, in the Colonies in which they hâve been stationed.

13. I hâve further to point out to you that, in the opinion of the Secretary of State for War, any body of men, who are to be a charge upon the Impérial Exchequer, ought to be a body raised for the gênerai service of Her Majesty, and not limited either by tbe conditions of enlistment or by practical necessity to a particular Colony. The Canadian Bifles do not, as you are aware, satisfy this condition, and Mr. Cardwell is accordingly about to reduce four companies of that corps, and to take measures to relieve the Impérial Treasury from the cost of supporting it. It beeomes matter for the considération of the Local Government, whether that corps, or any part of it, useful as I believe it to be fior local purposes, shall be maintained at the expense of the Colony.

14. Lastly, I hâve to refer to the naval force to be maintained during the ensning summer on the Canadian lakes and the St. Lawrence.

15. In the Despatch of the 17th of June, which I hâve already cited, and to which Lord Monck's Executive Council refers, Mr. Cardwell observed that, "apart from any

* question of expedie&cy, tlie Convention subsisting between this country and the

■ United States, rendered it impossible for either nation to place more than the specified

■ number of armed vessels on the lakes in tlme of peace."

16. The number of armed British vessels on the lakes, with the concurrence of the Government of the United States, has, as you are aware, been in excess of the number allowed by the arrangement of 1817. Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that the time has arrived, or may very shortly arrive, when there would be no sufficient reason for expecting the acquiescencc of the United States in this state of things. They consider, therefore, that the vessels of war on the lakes, which now on both sides exceed fhe number allowed by the Convention, should, within a reasonablc time, be reduced to those numbers.

17. Her Majesty's Government are willing that the three Impérial gun-boats should, if the Canadian Government désire it, be replaced this summer on the lakes or on the St- Lawrence, and it will be for them to consider what further armed naval force, not prohibited by the terms of the arrangement, should be kept up in Canadian waters, but Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that this ninst now be done entirely at the éxpense of the Dominion.

18. With regard to the observations contained in the Report of the Committee of the Privy Council that Canada has no power to commission vessels of war, I would call your attention to the Colonial Naval Defence Act of 1865, which was intended to provide against ' that dif f iculty. The Council do not state in what respect it is f ound to be imperfect.

19. I hâve to request that you will lay this Despatch before your ministcrs. They must be fùlly aware of the principles which parliament will require to be applied to Impérial expenditure for the defence of the Colonial Empire. In the graduai, if not tardy, application of thèse principles to British North America, they will, I hope, recognize the earnest désire of Her Majesty's Government to do justice both to the exceptional circumstances which hâve hitherto existed in that part of the British Empire, and to the admirable spirit which has been shown by the Government and country of Canada in providing for their own protection.

I hâve, &c,

(Signed.) GRANVILLE.

Governor General

The Right Honorable Sir John Young, Bart., G.C.B., G.CjM.G.

Dépêche de Lord Gran ville à Sir John Young (*)

The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor General.

Downing Street, 12th February, 1870.

(No 40)

Sir, — I hâve to oommunicate to you the intentions of Her Majesty's Government respecting the Military Force now in Canada, which it will be necessary for them before long to submit to Parliament. They hâve been adopted after repeated and careful considération.

Parliament cannot fail to expect that substantial effect shall be given to the policy which it has alrcady approved, and which was stated in my Despatch, No. 65, of the 14th of April, 1869, of reducing the number of Her Majesty's troops in British North America.

On the othcr hand Her Majesty's Government arc desirous of affording the Dominion Government ail possible assistance in organizing such a Military and Naval power as they may consider befitting for a country which has an increasing population of three and a half millions.

With this view Her Majesty's Government are prepared, as they hâve already mformed you, to perform their pledge of proposing to Parliament to guarantee a loan of £1,100,000 for défensive works. But in order to mect objections which are not un-

(1) Sessional Papcrs, 1871, No 46, page 8.

likely to bc raised in Parliamcnt, they would be glad to know whether the Government of the Dominion is still in favor of the plan heretofore accepted, and if se, how soon they are prepared to begin and carry out the necessary works.

Meantime, I shall forward to you shortly the draft of a bill containing the conditions of détail on which it is proposed to give the guarantee, and without which it could not be expected to receive the approval of the House of Gommons.

The City of Halifax will bc garrisoned by about 1,500 British troops of ail ranks, as an Impérial station.

Besides supplying tins force the Secretary of State for War is desirous of enabling your Ministers, if they should think it requisite, to retain in Canada the services of a small body of rcgular troops for the instruction of their Volunteers and Militia.

With this view he would be ready to facilitate the formation of a Colonial Régiment, out of Her Majesty's army, by enabling officers and men, now in the Dominion, to aocept any offer made to them by the Government for the transfer of their services, and this even though an entire battalion werc to volunteer as a Colonial Régiment foi service, in Canada, the Head quarters and a small nucleous returning to this country on which the Régiment could bc reformed.

What thèse offers should be, and what arrangements in par ticular should be made, as to the claims arising out of past service, are matters which will require considération, in case the principle of the plan is acceptable to the Canadian Government.

Besides the Halifax garrison, Her Majesty's Government propose to leave in Canada, for the présent year, a battalion of infantry and one battery of garrison artillery.

This force will be shortly concentrated or havè their head quarters at Québec. The régiment of Canadian Rifles will be disbanded. The rest of the force now in Canada will be withdrawn.

The barracks and fortifications finally vacated by Her Majesty's troops, together with the landed property of the War Department attached to them, will be handed over to Canada, so also will the armament of the fortifications. But it must be remembered that, if at any future period troops are sent to Canada at the request of thé Local Government, or in furtherance of Colonial interests, the Dominion will be expected to provide them with barracks or lodging to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government.

The small arms already issued on loan, consisting, as I understand, of 43,870 rifles

40,670 Snider Rifles. and carbines, will become unconditionally the property of Canada,

î?'999> Spender jjo. as you hâve been informed in another Despatch, (this wiU follow,>

1,000 Spender Car. . / . . ... . . . .

200 Starr Car. But no further issues on loan will be made, except under circums-

tances of spécial emergency.

You will take care to explain to your Advisers that the arrangements contemplated

in this Despatch, and which are based on principles applicable not exclusively to the

Dominion, but to the other self-governing British Colonies, are contingent upon a time

of peace, and are in no way intended to alter or diminish the obligations which exist

on both sides in case of foreign war.

I hâve, &c,

(Signed.) GRANVILLE.

Governor General, The Right Hon. Sir John Young, Bart, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.

Rapport de Sir Georges Cartier au Gouverneur (*)

Department of Militia and Defence,

Ottawa, May 19th, Î870.

On the two Despatches of the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, of the 12th February last (40 — 41), to His Excellency the Governor General, the undersigned has the honor to state, that, the reason for not re-' Herewith porting on them at an earlier date, is to be attributed to the expec-

tation of the Despatch containing the Draft of the Bill to authorize the guarantee for the construction of fortifications in Canada, which arriyed, accompanied by the Despatch of the 7th April last, on which the under-

(1) Sessional Papers, 1871, No 46, page 65.

signed rcportcd ycsterday to Your Excelleno't and which report was ciubodicd in an Ordcr of Your Excellency in Council, agrceing to the provisions of the proposed Bill, with somc suggcsted modifications. The undersigned is now in a position to report upon the above Despatches (40 — 41,), and has tlie honor to state, that, he considers that a Mémorandum for the information of the Right Honorable the Secretary of State should embody the following: —

1. With regard to the réduction of troops, the Canadian Government learns, with regret, the détermination of the Impérial Government, to withdraw, Withdrawal of at so ggriy a date, and in such a sudden way, the greater part of

the troops now stationcd in British North America. The same reasons which prompted the Mémorandum of the 4th November, 1869, transmitted with the Governor General's Despatch (124), of the 9th of same month, urging the non-withdrawal of arms, on account of the Fenian organizatiou then existing, equally apply against the réduction of troops in the Dominion of Canada, for that body of evil disposcd persons is yet in existence, and in full activity, and if the British Government should fecl it necessary to withdraw the troops, as they appear to hâve determincd on doing, the Canadian Government trusts such a détermination will not be fully carried into exécution, until after an entire cessation and disappearanec of the hostile feelings shewn by that organizatiou, which the Impérial Government is aware, hâve not yet taken place.

It is well that the Impérial Government should be informed that the Active Militia, to the extent of several thousand men, at a great expense, bave been called out during the past month, and that the continued threats of the Fenian body bave induced the Canadian Parliament to suspend the Habeas Corpus Act. The préparations made by the Canadian Government to resist the threatened attack of tliat body, may hâve deterred them from carrying into exécution their intentions, but they are, however, rcportcd to be making préparations for an attack upon somc part of the North-West Territory.

So long as the Fenian organizatiou exists, it is considered by the Canadian Government, that, as that body is organized, not against Canada but against the Impérial Government, therc should be left in Canada a sufficient number of lier Majesty's troops, to assist in repelling any invasion from that lawless body.

Anotber important rcason why the troops now in Canada should not be witbdrawn, is obviously fouud in the difficulties which have arisen in the Red River Territory, and still, unfortunately, continue to exist, and which render necessary the présence of a number of Her Majesty's troops in the Dominion of Canada, to be available for service in that territory. If no reply has been made to the Despatch of the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, of the 14th April, 1869 (65), it must not be inferred that the Canadian Government acquieseed in the policy of suddenly withdrawing the greater part of the troops from British North America, as the opinion of the Canadian Government on the subject therein mentioned, has been frequently made known to the Impérial Government, and particularly, by an Order of the Governor General in Council, of the 21st January, 1869, transmitted by Despatch (9) of the same date. Such a course would be impolitic, so long as the organization of the Fenian body continue to exist. Moreover, while the Despatch of the 14th April, 1869 (65), signified to the Canadian Government, the final détermination of the Impérial Government to withdraw the troops, yet the ternis thereof led the Canadian Government to suppose that the withdrawal of them would not take place at so early a date, and certainly, not so long as the threats of the Fenian body against Canada continued to bc made. It must also be remembered, that at the date of writing the Despatch of the 14th April, 1869 (65), the Impérial Government were under the conviction that the Fenian organization would soon disappear. Unfortunately, this expectation has not been realized.

2. If the Impérial policy bc irrcvooably determined on to reduce in the manner proposed in the Despatch of the Right Honorable the Secretary of Garrisons °* State for the Colouies, of the 12th February, 1876 (40), the number

^uc *n ax' of regular troops now stationcd in the various parts of the Domi-

nion of Canada, notwithstanding the représentations herein made, the Canadian Government caimot understand why there should not be continued at Québec a permanent garrison, such as is proposed to be established at Halifax, and feel it their duty strongly to urge on the Impérial Government the absolute necessity for a permanent

garrison at Québec, coraposed of Hcr Majesty's Regular* Troops. It must not bc lost sight of tliat Québec is the principal fortified place in the Dominion, and forms, as it werc, the gâte of entrance to the River St. Lawrence, and holds towurds that river and the great lakcs, about the saine position that Gibraltar does towards the Mediterranean. The Canadian Government hope, therefore, that the Impérial Government will be induced to consider favorably thes« views, and adopt such measures, that, under ail circumstances, Québec continue to hâve a permanent garrison.

3. As to the formation of a Colonial régiment out of the regulars now in Canada,

with their head qnarters in Eng-land, with a view to afford mili- Colonial Régiment. Ury in8truction to the 0fficera and men of the Militia of Canada, the andersig-ned is not prepared to recommend the adoption of the proposai submitted.

4. With regard to the works of fortification proposed to be constructed, the under-

signed would refer to the Act of the Canadian Parliament, authopr tr H rizing the loan, to the Orders of the Governor in Council, on Des-

°n' patches of 17th May, 1869, and 4th August, 1869, (87, 149), which

orders formed the basis of subséquent Despatches from His Excellency the Governor General, of the 28th October, 1869 (110, 111). The undersigned has stated in his place in the House of Commons, that he would recommend that the expenditure on thosc works should be spread over five or six years, and in about equal proportions, and that the first works undertaken should be at Montréal, Kingston, and St. John, N. B.

With respect to the conditions alluded to in the Despatch of the 12th February, 1870 (40), as to be imposed by the Impérial Government, for the raising of the necessary loan on the Impérial guarantee, the undersigned, as stated above, reported to Your Excellency, yesterday, on the Draft of the Bill, as forwarded with the Despatch of the 7th April last.

5. As to the barracks and fortifications, together with the landed property of the

War Department attached to them, and the armament of the forti- Surrender of fications, which it is proposed to hand over to Canada, so soon as

' "' those barracks and fortifications are finally vacated by Her Majes-

ty's Troops, the Canadian Government will be ready to accept such transfer on the conditions stated in the Despatch of the 12th of February last (40), that, if at any future period, troops are sent to Canada, at their request, or in furtherance of colonial interests, they wîll provide them with barracks or lodging, to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government. The Impérial Government must, however, be aware that the maintenance of the barracks and fortifications so transferred, will necessary entail a very heavy outlay on the part of the Canadian Government.

6. The Canadian Government hâve learned with pleasure, and feel gratcful that the Impérial Government hâve authorized the sinall arms, already issued on loan, consisting of 43,870 rifles and carbines, to become

unconditionally the property of Canada.

7. For the expressed intention not to withdraw at présent the 25,000 Sniders now kept as a reserve in Canada, the Canadian Government offer their thanks.

8. The announcement in the former Despatch of the 12 th February last (40), that the arrangements thereln contemplated are contingent upon time of peace, and are in no way intended to alter or diminish the obligations which exist on both sides in case of foreign war, is very satisfactory to the Canadian Government, who receive with gladness the réitération of the assurance conveyed in the Despatch of the 17th June, 1865, that the Impérial Government i'ully acknowledged the obligation of defending every portion of the Empire, with ail the resources at its command, on the reciprocal assurances given by the Canadian Ministers, tlicn in London, that Canada was ready to dévote ail her resources, both in men and money, to the maintenance of her connexion with the Mother Country.

(SIgned,) GEO. ET. CARTIER,

Minister of Militia and Defence.

Rifles &. Carbines.

Lettre du Général Lindsay au Gouverneur Général 0)

The Lieutenant General Commanding to the Governor General.

Head Quartcrs,

Montréal, 27th May, 1870.

(Copy — C. 8900)

Sir, — In my letter of the 14th April, I had the honor to acquaint your Excellence with the instructions I had received from the Colonial Office, with respect to my giving the Government of your Excellency every assistance in making such military arrangements as they may consider neccssary on the withdrawal of the troops.

The points enumerated were —

lst. Facilities were to be afforded for enabling officers and soldiers to take service under the Canadian Government, cven to the extent of one entire battalion, the Head quarters returning to England.

2nd. Half-pay officers were to be allowed to take service under the Government of Canada, without forfeiting their rank in the army, and were to revert to half-pay when they ceased such service.

3rd. That Her Majesty's Government expressed themselves anxious to afford the Dominion Government ail possible assistance in organizing such a military and naval power as they may consider necessary.

I requested an early considération of the question, which could not be postponed. inasmuch as two régiments were under orders to leave the country before the autumn. and another, essentially Anglo-Canadian, was to be disbandcd-

I pointed out to your Excellency's considération that a number of officers and men of the Royal Canadian Rifles, and probably of other corps, would be prepared to transfer their services to the Colonial Government; and in another letter respecting the composition of the force for the expédition to Red River, I also drew attention to the advantage of engaging the services of a portion of the Royal Canadian Rifles.

I havc not yet been favored with a reply to my letter of the 14th April, except to one point, viz., that "the Government did not intend to avail themselves of the proffered " services of the men of the Royal Canadian Rifles", and this décision has been still further confirmed by the Adjutant General of Militia, that with regard to the Red River Expédition, the Government would not accept Royal Canadian Riflemcn untll after they were discharged.

In again addressing your Excellency, I am well aware that the Dominion Government must be the best judges of what their military policy should be, now that they hâve before them the Impérial policy with respect to Her Majesty's troops. But in pursuance of the instructions I havc received, and anxious as I am to give any assistance to the Dominion Government as to any military arrangement which they may think it expédient to make, I think it my duty again to point out to your Excellency the necessity of giving an early considération to the points hereinafter mentioned.

I do not propose to make any suggestions as to the future military system of thèse two Provinces with regard to the militia, or the larger question of a standing force, though, if required, I shall be prepared to do so.

Thcre are, however, important military positions which should be occupied, and which must bc considered with référence to the military system, viz., Fort Henry, Kingston ; Isle aux Noix, St. Johns, and Québec.

Therc arc also the Seat of Government and the Commercial Capital. The two former are places of considérable importance, and will be evacuatcd by Her Majesty's troops during this summer.

I am conversant with the military system of the country. and however complète the organization may be, as regards the system laid down, yet there is no provision l'or the permanent employment of a force for the purpose of forming garrlsons.

There is, however, one suggestion which I am again anxious to bring under your Kxcellcncy's considération, viz., that of establishing an affiliated military system witli tlie Mother Country. It seems to me to be worthy of considération, that the organiza-

(1) Sessional Papers, 1871, No 46, page 37.

tion of the Impérial and Colonial forces, their staff and control arrangements should be similar, so that they might work together upon one system in the event of war. It appears to me that it would maintain a military connection which would be mutually advantageous. In référence to this subject, I beg to refer you to my letter of the 14th April.

There will be in charge of the Dominion Government expensive armaments upon works at Toronto, Kingston, Isle aux Noix, and Québec, with side-arms, ammunition and small stores. Thèse will get into confusion, and deteriorate, unless a staff is organized for their supervision. A Master-gunner, or District Clerk, trained in the Royal Artillery, is necessary at each place.

With référence to the above, I hâve the honor to inform your Excellency, that I shall be prepared to return to Canada the lands and buildings at Toronto, which already belong to her, as well as the fortifications and armaments, in about a fortnight, and those of Kingston and Isle aux Noix in July.

I hâve, &c,

(Signed.) JAS. LINDSAY,

Lt. General.

To His Excellency

The Governor General of Canada, &c,

Ottawa.

Lettre du Major Futvoye, sous-ministre de la Milice, au Gouverneur-Général 0)

Department of Militia and Defence,

Ottawa, June 3rd, 1870.

Sir, — I am directed by the Honorable the Minister of Militia and Defence, to request you to intimate to the Lieut. General Coramanding, that he is May 27th 187070 thankful for the information conveyed by his two letters, rclatlng

to the withdrawal of troops from Canada, and the handing over to the Government of Canada of the lands and buildings, fortifications and armaments which are soon to cease to be occupied by Her Majesty's regular troops. The Minister of Militia and Defence is also thankful for the divers suggestions made by the Lieut. General Commanding, for the considération of the Government of Canada.

You will be good enough to explain to the Lieut. General Commanding, that the reason why a reply was not sooner made to his letter of the 14th April, was that the Despatch therein referred to, was itself under the considération of the Government. It was only on the 19th of May last that the Minister of Militia and Defence was enabled to report to his Excellency in Council on the contents of that Desaptch, as well as of another on the same subject. That Report of the Minister of Militia and Defence was adopted by an Order of His Excellency in Council on the following day, with a view to its being transmitted to the Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies by His Excellency the Governor General. It was so forwarded a few days ago, with a Despatch of His Excellency.

As a great number of the points mentioned in the two letters of General Lindsay hâve been disposed of by that report, the Minister of Militia and Defence thinks he cannot do better than to enclose, for the information of the Lieut. General Commanding, a Copy of that Order in Council and Report, as a reply in part to those two letters.

A few days ago a Despatch from the Secretary of .State for the Colonies, dated 12th May, 1870, was received, informing the Government of Canada that the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury hâve sanctioned the transfer to the Dominion of Canada of ail the barracks and lands attached to them, except the fortress of Québec and lands connected therewith.

(1) Sessional Papers, 1871, No 46, page 74.

The Ministcr of Militia and Defence is desirous that the Licut. General Commanding should Le infornicd that thc Dominion Government expect, nlmost as a certainly, that on thc représentations made on thc report, thc withdrawal of the troops, if it should take place, will not be on thc scale and to the extent at first contemplated, and that Québec will be permanently garrisoned by Her Majesty's regular troops. If the expectatlons of the Dominion Government are realized, of which they hâve little doubt, with regard to thc only partial withdrawal of the troops, and the establishment of a permanent garrison at Québec, a great part of the instructions given to the Lient. General Commanding, will bave to be postponed for future considération and action.

In the mcantime the Minister of Militia and Defcnce will be thankful if the Lieut. General Commanding will feel pleascd to confer with him generally, at his own convenienec, at any time and place hc may nanic, with référence to the divers suggestions kindly made by the General.

The Ministcr of Militia and Defence thinks that a great deal may be effected by Personal conférence, before coming to any conclusion by written correspondence.

The Minister of Militia and Defence is pleased to find mention made in the letter of General Lindsay, of the 27th ultimo, that the Lieut. General Commanding is conversant with the Militia system of the country, and feels satisfied with the completeness of the organization of the Militia in the two Provinces. I am to remark that that organization applies not only to the two Provinces of Ontario and Québec, but to ail the Provinces comprised in the Union. The General seems to be under the impression that there is no provision in the Militia Law for the employment of a force for the purpose of forming a garrison. Thc Minister of Militia and Defence would refer on that subjeet to the Militia Law itself, authorizing not only thc organization of Active Militia and its training, but also authorizing, under Section 20, the formation of a corps of volunteers for any service whatever, and under such régulations as may, from [time] to time, be made.

It is under this section that the two battalions forming part of the expédition to Red River hâve been organized; and under thc same provisions corps of volunteers may be organized for the purpose of garrisoning.

With regard to any fortifications which may be banded over to the Dominion Government, which might not be garrisoned by any part of Her Majesty's regular army. Corps of volunteers for the purpose of garrisoning them, will be easily organized out of the men belonging to the Active Militia to serve in turn, or from any portion of the Regular Militia.

In case, however, expérience should prove that thc garrisoning of any fortifications by mcans of corps of volunteers was not efficient, it will be very «asy to amend, at any future Session of the Dominion Parliament, thc Militia Law, so as to give power to Her Mnjcsty to exact garrison dutics in any required place from the Active Militia, in such manner and on such conditions and terms as Her Majcsty may détermine from time to time.

With regard to any barracks and fortifeations with lands attached thereto, which may be at any time rcady to be handed over by the Impérial Government to the Dominion Government, thc Minister of Militia and Defence wishes the Lieut. General Commanding to bc informed that thc Dominion Government will be ready at any time to accept thc transfer of the same, and to provide for thc safe-keeping of the property handed over, as well as of thc armaments and any arms, ammunition, and stores handed over in conjunction with them.

General Lindsay, in his letter of 27th May, makes allusion to the organization of a naval force for the naval defence of the country- On that subjeet, the Minister of Militia and Defence refers General Lindsay to the Despatch of 17th June, 1865, mentioned in the report transmitted herewith, in which, amongst other things it is statcd, that as a matter of course, in case of war, it will be thc duty of the Impérial Government to undertake the naval defence of the conntry.

With référence to the matter of thc Military Schools, the Minister of Militia and Defence begs to refer thc Lieut.,Gencral Commanding to the letter

* ' addresscd to you on the 30th ultimo.

I bave the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant,

(Signed.) GEO. FUTVOYE,

The Military Sccretary, Deputy of Minister of Militia and Defence.

To His Exccllency the Governor General.

Dépêche de Lord Granville à Sir John Young (*)

The Secretary of State fer the Colonies to the Governor General.

Dow ni n g Street, 23rd Jane, 1870. (No 159)

Sir, — I hâve the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 99, of the 19th of May, enclosing a copy of a Mémorandum by the Minister of Mllitia and Defence, expressing the views of the Canadian Government with respect to the withdrawal of the troops from the Dominion, and relating to other Military questions.

The sympathy of the Queen, and of the people of this country, with the inhabitants of the Dominion, has been warmly excited by the wanton and inexcusable inroad of the Fenians of the United States, and the y rejoice to think that the public spirit, gallantry and military skill which has causée! its local failure, has dispelled ail idea for the présent of serious molestation from that quarter. The measures to be taken with respect to the Red River territory hâve been the subject of an arrangement, and I hope a satisfactory one, between the Impérial and Colonial Governments. Her Majesty's Government are unable to adopt the proposai that a permanent Impérial Garrison should be kept at Québec, though as you are aware, they hâve consented to defer the withdrawal of the Rifle Rrigade till the return in the autunin of the troops recently despatched to the Red River, and to station at Québec, for the présent, part of the Impérial Garrison of Halifax.

The proposai in my Despatch, No. 40, of the 12th of February, that a Colonial régiment should be formed from the Officers and Soldiers of a régiment of the line, has been somewhat misunderstood. It was not intended that the portion of the régiment that might hâve been retaincd by the Canadian Government should retain any connection with the head-quarters, which would hâve returned to this country, but that an wholly distinct régiment should be formed in Canada entirely under the control of the Dominion Government, the Home Government retaining the power to fill up the skeleton which returned home under its old name, and with its old colors and associations. Her Majesty's Government are also willing that any Officers in the Rritish army will be at liberty to engage in the Canadian service, and may do so for a time without forfeiting their rank on coming back to the Impérial service.

The period at which the troops are to be removed has formed the subject of sevenal récent communications, and I need not now refer to it.

I have, &c,

(Signed,) GRANVILLE.

Governor General, the Right Honorable Sir John Young, Bart, G.C.B., etc., etc.

Lettre de Sir Edward Lugard, sous secrétaire d'Etat à la Guerre, au Général Lindsay (2)

War Office, 24th September, 1870.

Sir, — I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwell to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo, detailing the suggestions which you had made to the Dominion Government, for such military arrangements as might be necessary in conséquence of the withdrawal of troops from Canada.

In reply I am to convey to you an expression of Mr. CardwelPs approval of ail that you have suggested, excepting that he does not regard it to be the wish of Her Majesty's Government that the Dominion Government should retain, and pay the expense of

(1) Sessional Papers, 1871, No 46, page 18.

(2) Sessional Papers, 1871, No 46, page 60.

one or more Régiments of the Line, as proposed in your letter to the Governor General, dated the 14th April, 1870, and marked C. 8,729. Mr. Cardwell considéra further that it should be distinctly understood, that in ail the arrangements for the command of troops, an undivided responsibllity must rest upon the Government of the Dominion, without any of those causes of confusion which in other Colonies hâve given rise to disputes berween the officer in command of Her Majesty's forces and the Local Government.

Mr. Cardwell observes that Major Futvoye, in the closing passage of his letter of the 3rd June, to the Military Secretary to the Governor General, (forming one of the euclosures of your letter under reply) refers to a Despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 17th June, 1865, as conveying an assurance that in case of war the Impérial Government would undertake the naval defence of the Dominion; now, whatever obligations that Despatch acknowledges on the part of the Impérial Government, it was not intended to ezonerate the Gorernment of the Dominion from any responsibllity for takingr a share in its own naval defence, either by carrying into effect the provisions of the Colonial Defence Act, or otherwise. On the contrary, ail the assurances given in that Despatch on the part of the Impérial Government, were given, as Sir George Cartier observes in his Minute of the 19th May: —

"On the reciprocal assurance given by the Canadian Ministers, then in London, that Canada was ready to dévote ail her resources, both in men and moncy, to the maintenance of her connection with the Mother Country."

I hâve, &c,

(Signed.) EDWARD LUGARD.

Lieutenant General,

The Honorable J. Lindsay, <&c, &c, &c,