^ i^\^ "S^^ O .. ^^►^^.^^c IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ks ^^A i< 1.0 ^liil^ ^= itt 12,2 |22 II ^ Ufi ■2.0 u& ^ |U 11.6 ^ 6" ► tS!»A FhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STMET WMSTEI.N.Y. UStO (716)S72-4S03 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de ■ mm m mi Canadian Institut* for Historical Microraproductions / institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquaa Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notaa taehniquas at blMlographiquaa Tha inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibiiographically unlqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. □ Colourad eovara/ Couvartura da eoulaur r~n uovara damagad/ D D D D D Couvartura andommagte Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou palliculAa □ Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua □ Colourad mapa/ Cartaa gtegraphiquaa it couiaur □ Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da couiaur (i.a. autra qua biaua ou noiral [~~1 Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa nt couiaur Bound with othar matariai/ RalM avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ Laroliura aarria paut cauaar da i'ombra ou da la diatoralon la long da la marga inlAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibla. thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagoa blanchaa ajoutiaa lora d'una raatauration apparaiaaant dana la taxta, mala, loraqua cala Atait poaaibla, caa pagaa n'ont paa *t4 fiimtoa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa auppMmantairaa: L'Inatltut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira qu'il lul a At* poaaibla da aa procurer. Laa details da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibllographiqua, qui pauvant modif iar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da filmagv aont indiquAa ci*daaaoua. |~n Colourad pagaa/ D D D D Pagaa da couiaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagAaa Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ Pagaa raatauriaa at/ou paliiculAaa Pagaa diacolourad, atainad or foxad/ Pagaa dAcolorAaa, tachatiaa ou piquiaa Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa ditachiaa SShowthrough/ Tra Tranaparanca r~n Quality of print variaa/ Qualit* in^gala da i'impraaaion includaa aupplamantary matariai/ Comprand du matiriai auppMmantaira Only adition availabia/ Saula Mition diaponibia Pagaa wholly or partially obscurad by arrata aiipa. tiaauaa. ate. hava baan rafilmad to anaura tha baat poaaibla imaga/ Laa pagaa totalamant ou partiaiiamant obacurciaa par un fauiiiat d'arrata. una palura, ate. ont M* filmiaa i nouvaau da fapon A obtanir la maiilaura imaga poaaibla. Thia itam ia filmad at tha raduction ratio chackad balow/ Ca document aat filmA au taux da rMuction indiqui ci-daaaoua. 10X 14X 18X ZZX 26X 30X y 12X 1«X aox a4x 28X 32X Th« copy filmed h«r« has b««n rtproducsd thanks to tha ganarosity of: Ntw Brantwick MutMim Saint John Tha Imaflaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality possibla eonaldaring ttta eondltlon and laglblllty of tha original copy and In kaaping with tha filming eontraet tpaelflcationa. Original eoplaa ki printsd papar covars ara fllmad baglnning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or IHuatratad lmpraa> slon. or tha back covar whan appropriate. All othar original eoplaa ara fllmad baglnning on tha first paga with a printad or IHuatratad Impraa- sion, and anding on tha kwt paga with a printad or IHuatratad Imprasston. L'axamplaira fllmA fut raproduK grica i la g4n4roslt* da: Nmv Brunswick MuaMim Saint Jolin Laa Imagaa suhrantas ont 4tA raprodultas avac la plua grand sdn, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da l'axamplaira fllmA. at an conformM avac laa conditions du contrat da fllmaga. Laa axamplairaa origlnaux dont hi couvartura an paplar aat imprion^a sont fllm4s an commandant par la pramlar plat at an tarmlnant salt par ki damMra paga qui comporta una amprr',nta dimpraaaion ou dINustration, salt pai la sacond plat, salon la caa. Tous laa autros axamplalraa origlnaux sont fllmte an commandant par la pramMra paga qui comporta una ampralnta dimprassion ou dlHustration at an tarmlnant par la damlAra paga qui comporta una talla ampralnta. Tha last racordad frama on aach microficha shaH contain ttia symbol — ^(maanlng "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (moaning "END"), vvhichavar appUaa. Un das symbolas sulvsnts apparattra sur la damMra Imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la cas: la symbola -^ signifla "A SUIVRE". la symbola ▼ signifto "FIN". Maps, plataa. charts, ate., may ba fNmad at diffarant reduction ratios. Thosa too larga to ba antlraly Included In one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hend comer, left to right end top to bottom, as many framce ee required. The foltowing dlagrama iUustrate the method: Lee cartae, planches, tableeux. etc.. peuvent Atre filmte i dee taux da reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un soul cllchA. 11 est fllmA A pertir do i'engle supArleur geuche. do geuche A droite, et do heut en bee. en prenant la nombra dimagee nAcasselre. l.es diegremmes suivents Uiustrent le mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4- 5 6 ^355. (/Tj IPrice ■■''Tmmi ^355.09?/ ih ■/' LETTER to THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR Willi UKKKHKNCK TO THE DEFENCE OF CANADA, m LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JERVOIS, R.E., C.B., DEPUTY-DIIIECTOB OF FOKTIFICATIONS. |)rr0entrli to fiotl^ fHomeii of Varliamntt ttvi «rommanIi a l^ev mnitntp. L O N D U ISi : PRINTED BY GEORGE EDWARD EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE, PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. FOR IlKR MAJESTY'S STATIONKRI OFFICF.. 1865. IPHce Id.] ■^.:-- '.rmmmtlimm mH* ■ImKm M i t;, LL H/ //■ iiW vlTAB '^^1 T:fj;ii»j::iii ;j]1')' < """ ' -1. ■ l-r4;.i:.?;> ffiiiil; ■ 'iiiiUftS rjtrisf ?^ «| 'O '.; -f ■^ '^y'li Ai'.''j:.-j "'"I if"33't."tf (jf-i **! {>$ .iskVi^^'! J*- WW* -.w M m um -Wm Letter with reference to the Defence of Canada. :^Gcneral Sir W. F. Williams, the General commanding the trix'jjs in British North America. Subsequently I had interviews with several members ot tlic Government of Canada, who met at Quebec in October to take part in the Conference with the Delegates from the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward's Island, and Newfoundland, with reference to the proposed confederation of the provinces of British North America. 3. On the 12th October I had a formal interview with the whole of the Executive Council, who then requested me to state my views with respect to the defence of Canada. A long conversation with the Council took place in consequence of my statement, which led to a paper of question being addressed to me by the Provincial Government. Tlicse questions rendered it necessary for me to make a detailed examination of several positions in Upper Canada. I accordingly reconnoitred the country about Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton, London, Paris, and other places. I then prepared a report on the defence of the whole of Canada, embodying my answers to those questions, which report I submitted to the Lieutenant-General commanding, who signified his approval in writing of the measures recommended therein. On my return to Quebec I placed my report in the hands of the Canadian Government. After interviews with the Governor General and some of the members of the Council, I left Quebec for New York and returned to England at the end of last November. 4. Although the proposals which resulted from my communication with the Canadian Government are stated in my report to the Council it may be convenient that I should state briefly in this place the views which I expressed "at my interview with the Council. 5. I observed, that although, owing to the length and nature of the frontier of Canada, it was impossible to protect it throughout its whole extent, an enemy must never- theless acquire possession of certain vital points before he could obtain any decided military advantage ; — that there are only a few such points, — and that if proper arrange- ments were made for the defence of tiiose places by the construction of fortifications, the provision of gun-boats, and the improvement of communications ; — the militia and volunteer forces of the country, if properly organized, and aided by British troops, would be enabled to hold them during the period, (only about six months in the year), when military operations on a large scale could be carried on against them, and thus those forces could resist an attack with the best possible chance of success. I pointed out 11154. A 2 if'niit-)ni|nmy •paMmtMipi I that under this view, the positions of the greatest military importance in the country arc Montreal nnd Quebec ;— Montreal, because, Iwing at the head of the sea navigation of the St. Lawrence and the focus of all communication by lanu and water between the eastern and western districts, it is the coinmcrciid and strategical capital of Canada, and. from its position on the frontier, is moreover the point upon which the enemy could most readily make a grand attack ;— Quebec, as being the tir.st point of milit:iry communication between Canada and (ircat Britain, and the point to which the Uritish forces must retire, if overpowered. I stated that with those two points placed in a condition for defence, and the river between Montreal and Quebec commanded by iron-plated vessels, » successful resistance could Ik; made to any attempt to subjugate the country so long as Great Britain had the command of the sea. 6. I observed at the same time that, although looking at the question from a purely military point of view, the defence of Lower Canada was by far the most important con- sideration, I was, nevertheless, aware of the objections that would be raised if no provision were made for the defence of the country to wcstwardof Montreal. I remarked, that it was quite possible, under certain conditions and with sutlicient men and means, to d( vise a scheme for the defence of Upper Canada ; the conditions referred to being, — that ethcient comnumication should be established with the Western districts ; that the country between Lake St. Louis and Lake Ontario should be protected by naval, in combination with military means ; that a navul depot should be provided at Kingston, which place should be fortified so as to form a secure harbour for gun-boats on Lake Ontario. With the naval connnand of that loke, troops acting for the defence of the Western Peninsula of Canada might, if overpowered, fall back upon its shore at Toronto, where, if proper works were constructed, they nn'ght act in conjunction with the naval force lor the defence of that position, cither until reinforcements arrived from other parts of the country, or until the winter season obliged the enemy to retire. 7. The proposals for permanent defences contained in my report to the Canadian Government may be divided under two heads :— First, the defence of Canada so far as there is comnumication for ocean steam ships, i.e., as far westward as Montreal inclusive. Second, the defence of the country to westward of Montreal. Under the first head it is proposed that permanent works of fortification shall be con- structed for the defence of Montreal and Quebec. Under the second head it is proposed to fortify Kingston, and to construct certain pcnnanent works for the defence of Toronto and Hamilton against an attack from the lake. My report also contains suggestions with respect to the provision of gun-boats, the improvemont of certain communications, and the construction of works of defence which might be thrown up in time of war. 8. I have had no official intimation of the course wiiich the Provincial Government propose to adopt with respect to the suggestions which I bad the honour to submit to tliem ; but I have the best reason lor stating thai they concur generally in the whole of my proposals, and that they arc ready to meet the mother country in a iiiir and becoming spirit in carrying out the measures which are requisite for the defence of Canada. 9. I regard the works for the defence of Montreal and Quebec as being of the most pressing importance. I estimate the cost of those for Quebec at ... £200,000 Those for Montreal at - - - - £443,000 And that the armaments for the works at those places will cost about ...... £100,000 The works of fortification recommended at Kingston, Toronto, and Hamilton will cost about £500,000, and the armaments for those places about £100,000. 10. With respect to the condition of the local forces of Canada, I have the honour to state, for the information of your Lordship, that there already exist in the principal towns of Canada several corps of volunteer militia of the diflTerent arms of the service, according to the last reports amountii'c, in the aggregate to 21,700* men: these frequently turn out lor drill, and are paid by the Government for their services. I saw * Tlic ri'tiirns of previous yciirs sliowctl a foroc of about 35,000 volunteer militia, but a lar{i;o number have been strucli off the roll during the past year, owing to their not having given sutlieient eviileiico of a desire to become acquainted with their duty. ThuH thu number, which was numiually about 3o,000, has biHiu reduced acccidiug to tlie luloat reports to 21,700. . ,, Mveral appoin credita and ot propor militar !Ountry are itioti of the the eastern 1(1, from it!i ost rcudily )ii between t retire, if tfence, and succestsful cat Ilritain tn u purely artant coii- > provision tliat it was o d( vise a lat ctKcient ry between ition with ICC should With the Peninsula if proper c ibr the rts of the Canadian t so far as inclusive. .11 be con> proposed efence of boats, the ice which vcrnment o submit ;hc whole itiir and jfencfi of the most >0 10 10 will cost i honour principal ■■ service, I : these I saw Tiber have jf a (lesiro u reduced several of the volunteer regiments turn out at Quebec ; they were well dressed and appointed ; their appearance was soldier-like, and they went through a field-day very creditably. I have reason to believe that the volunteer militia of Montreal, Toronto, and other places are at least equal in etticiency to the voUmtecrs at Quebec. A great proportion of the officers of these corps have obtained certificates of proficiency from military boards l)eforc whom they have presented themselves for examination. 1 1. As regards the militia,* the attention of the Provincial Government has during the last year l)een directed chiefly to the establishment of military schools of instruction for officers. The Government rightly judged that it is of the first importance in providing for the efficiency of the militia service that there should Ik: a body of officers acquainted with the duties of the military profession. Accordingly, two schools of instruction for officers are now in operation in Canada, — one in connexion with the 17th regiment at Quebec, the othei with the l6th regiment nt Toronto. The Ivieut.-Coloncls, (who are directors of the schools,) and officers of these regiments specially lold oft' to teach, arc paid for this service by the Provincial Government, and certificates are granted by the Colonels to the railita'y pupils according to the degree of proficiency they have attained during the period allotted to each for instruction. A first class certificate is granted to an officer who has made himself acquainted with the interior economy of a regiment and who is capable of manccuvring a battalion ; a second class certificate is given to one who has learnt to drill and take counnand of a company. On the 17th October last, 139 first class and 207 second class certificates had been granted. There were at the same time 764 applicants fur admission. The formation of additional schools on the same principle as those which now exist at Quebec and Toronto, and for Serjeants as well as officers, is much to be desired. 12. I should here observe that the prospect of the withdrawal of the imperial troops from the western districts in accordance with instructions from this country previous to the confederation movement, has a depressing effect upon the eftbrts that are being made for the improvement of the organization of the militia of those districts. As I have already stated, a military school has been established at Toronto in con- nexion .with one of Mer Majesty's regunents, and with most satisfactory results. If the British troops were taken away from the western districts, the means of instruction for the militia in that part of the country would at the same time be withdrawn, and thus a very bad cfiect would be produced amongst the people of Canada generally. 13. I may observe, as an additional reason against the proposed withdrawal of the troops from the western districts, that an immediate expenditure of nearly 20,000/. for the accommodation of the troops in Lower C^anada would be thereby rendered necessary, and that it would be unadvisable to incur this expenditure at the very time when it is proposed to provide additional barrack accommodation in conncxio\: v.'ith the projected works of fortification at Montreal and Quebec. I should add tKl .ilthough the pos- sibility of the troops being cut off would render it dangerous to leave ( small and unsup- ported body of men in the western peninsula of Canada in time of war, the objection would be materially diminished if there were a large and efficient body of militia to act in coiijnnction with the regular force. 14. I beg therefore respectfully to represent to your Lordship that the troops at pre- sent in the Western Penmsula should not be at present withdrawn ; but that, on the contrary, every encouragement should be afforded to the organization of the militia in that part of the country by the presence of an imperial regiment at such station as the Provincial Government may select for the formation of another military school on the same principles as those which have been established at Toronto and Quebec. 15. The estimated number of militia-men in Canada of all ranks, inclusive of the reserve men between 45 and 60 years of age, is 470,000. It therefore appears that, with a proper organization, a large force could be made available for the defence of the province, provided there were a sufficient staft" of educated officers and non-com- missioned officers to whom the men of the several battalions could be attached when called upon for duty. According to the latest report from the Province, the service Militia, so soon as the Government shall be in a position to take the ballot, will consist, exclusive of officers, of 88,245 men. •In 1863, two Militia ActM were passed by thuCnniidiiiuLugiHlaturc;ouu, " Au Act respecting the Militia;" tlie otber, " An Act rcspucting tho Volunteer Militia Force." The word " Militia " when used alone refers to the former. A3 ff^. i» '. !'i,"M:^^ 6 16. It appears adviMble that loine suaneitioM ihould be made with remrd to the application of (undH which the Provincial OovemmeDt of Canada may hereuter obtain from their Legislature for militia purposei. I have, therefore, consulted with Colonel McMurdo, the Inapector-General of Volunteen in Great Britain, on this lubject, and beg to submit the following suggestions : — 17. It is proposed that the force should lie organized throughout the cojintry so as to bear as equally us possible on the population of the several districts ; that, in order that the officefH and men may be acquamted with each other, the officers should be chosen ho far as practicable from those districts, and that their appointments should be conditional on their qualifying themselves either at the schools of instruction, which have proved of SQ much value, or in any other way that might lead to the desired reoult, which should be tested by examination. The force thus organized should be told off in companies and battalions, somewhat on the principle of the administrative battalions of volunteers in Great Britain. The companies would be drilled at their respective head quarters, and might be assembled at central points for battalion instruction without necessarily involving uii absence of the men from their homes for more than a day at a time. 18. There should be storehouses for arms, accoutrements, and clothing at the head quarters of the several companies, under the care of a serjeant-instructor, who should be permanently appointed to each company. The storehouses may be of an inexpensive construction, and, for the sake of security of the arms, should be surrounded with a palisade or other enclosure. It would obviously be a great advantagfe to have arms available at all times for the practice of the men of the several companies who might be disposed to profit by tlieir use. With a view, therefore, to afford encouragement Iwth to officers, non-commisMioncd officers, and men to work at rifle instruction and prize shooting, there' should also be u range provided in a convenient locality for each company, or portion of a company, as the circumstances of the locality rendered desirable. By these, arrangements the men would obtain a fair knowledge of company drill and musketry practice, which would much facilitate their instruction as a battalion. 19. The permanent staff of the battalion should consist of an adjutant and a serjeant- major for the battalion, v/ith a serjeant-instructor for each company. The adjutant should in the first instance Ik? an experienced officer from the regular army, and should from time to time visit the several companies at their respective localities. 20. It is recommended further that the country should be divided into convenient districts for the concentration of the battalions into brigades and divisions, and that the several corps should be assembled, if practicable, in camps for exercise. A brigade and division staff should be appointed for this purpose. 21 . The permanent charges for this organization would be the pay of the adjutants, the serjeant-majors, and serjeant instructors ; the cost of erecting storehouses ; the provision of arms, accoutrements, and clothing ; the pay of such battalions as might be called out annually for drill ; and the outlay requisite for the education of officers and Serjeants at the schools of instruction, as already established. 22. It is for consideration whether, when not embodied, the principle of a capitation grant in proportion to the certified efficiency of the members of the several companies would not be desirable. (See Order in C'ouncil, pages 36 to 43 of Volunteer Regulations for Great Britain ; also Articles 259 to 278 of the same Regulations as regards the rules under which the capitation grant is distributed.) 23. It is believed that an organization on these principles would afford the means of applying the funds at the disposal of the Canadian Government for militia purposes to the best account, and with the least amount of inconvenience to the widely scattered population of the country. 24. Whether, however, this or any other possible arrangement be made for the orga- nization of the militia of Canada, it can scarcely be expected that the force that could be mustered at an outbreak of hostilities would be e^ual to withstand the enemy in the open field. Works of defence are, therefore, essential to enable our comparatively small forces to hold the points against which the main attacks would be directed. It is at the commencement of a war that the greatest danger is to be apprehended, and it is submitted that it is only by availing ourselves of the advantages afforded by Ibrtifications that we can provide against our troops being overpowered at the first onset, or that time can be obtained for rendering the militia available for the defence of the country. The question appears to be ; — whether the British force now in Canada shall be with- countr} Even w it woul it woul and nil menuec regular would I which desirou The regard to the ereatler obtaio d with Colonel is lubjcct, and ))intry so at to t, in order that d be chosen ho be conditional bavc proved of hich should be companies and ' volunteers in quarters, and ut necessarily \ time. ng at the head or, who should an inexpensive ounded with a to have arms who might be femcnt both to prize shouting, I company, or ble. By these, and musivetry and a serjeant- djutant should ould from time drawn, in order to avoid the risk of its defeat, or whether the necessary measures shall be taken to enable that force to be of use 'or the defence of the province. "26. The sum required for the construction of the proposed works and armaments at Montreal and Quebec would only be about one year's expense of the regular force we now maintain in Canada. It is a delusion to suppose that that force can be of any use for the defence of the country without fortifications to compensnte for the comparative smallness of its numbers. Even when aided by the whole of the local militia that could at present be made available, it would, in the event of war, be obliged to rctreot before the superior numbers by which it would be attacked ; nnd it would be fortunatt* if it succeeded in embarking at Quebec, and putting to sea without serious defeat. On the other hand, if the works now recom- mended Im! constructed, the vital points of the country could lie defended, and the regular army would become a nucleus and support, round which the people of Canada would rally to resist aggression, and to preserve that connexion with the mother country, which their loyalty, their interests, and their love of true freedom alike make them desirous to maintain. I have the honour to be, ' , My Lord, Your Lordship's obedient, humble Servant, The Right Hon. Earl de Grey and Ripon, Secretary of State for War, &c. &c. &c. Wm. F. Drummond Jervois. • v'oavi'M •)