Colonial Despatches

I had the honor, in a Despatch, No 19 of the 19th of February last, to address Your Grace on the subject of forming Volunteer Rifle Corps inthis this Colony, as suggested in Sir G.C. Lewis' Despatch No 40 of the 17th of October 1860.

2. I therein informed Your Grace, that the most respectable of the white inhabitants were fully prepared to enrol themselves into a Volunteer Force; and that a Corps, entirely composed of the coloured population, was actually under training, and had built a hall, and were paying a Drill Sergeant,Entirely Entirely at their own Expense. I also mentioned that they had applied to me for Fire arms, which they are greatly in want of, and that I was unable to render them that assistance at present, as the smallness of the Colonial revenue, and the infant state of the Colony will not admit of the necessary fire arms being procured by the Colony, and that had I been able to supply efficient arms, a most valuable Corpswould would have been formed at the time of the American occupation of San Juan, and lastly I engaged to form a Volunteer Force that would be no discredit to the Empire, provided Her Majesty's Government would extend their assistance in that matter, and furnish me with 500 stand of Arms.

3. I have now the satisfaction of communicating for Your Graces information on that subject, that upwardsof of 200 of the white residents of Victoria have come forward, and in the most patriotic manner formed themselves into a Volunteer Corps for the purpose of protecting property, and, in case of need, defending the integrity of Her Majesty's Dominions.

4. Another Corps, composed of 77 Members, being nearly the whole white male population of Nanaimo, has been enrolled at that place.

5. These two Corps with the Corps of coloured peoplenumbering numbering 80 men, before alluded to in this Despatch, form altogether a force of 357 effective men.

6. I have given the fullest encouragement to this movement, and have authorized the several Corps to select their own officers, submitting their names for my approval, which, I believe, is the course usually followed in Her Majesty's Colonies.

7. I have to acknowledge the great assistance receivedfrom from Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Maitland, who has kindly furnished a Drill Sergeant from the Force under his command, and has temporarily placed at my disposal, a light Field Piece, which is to be attached to, and form part of the armament of the Victoria Rifle Corps.

8. Victoria has now assumed the appearance of a military encampment; and I can justly observe that the same degree ofassiduity assiduity and attention to the various drills now exhibited by the Volunteers, if continued, will ere long render them a highly serviceable and efficient body of citizen soldiers.

9. The only drawback to their efficiency is the want of proper arms and ammunition, which I have before stated to Your Grace I cannot furnish; but I have assured the several Corps that Her Majesty's Government fully appreciatetheir their services, and will not fail to provide them with proper arms.

10. I have now therefore to repeat my former application for 500 Stand of Arms, and that Your Grace will cause them to be shipped for this Colony by some Early conveyance, as they are immediately wanted.

11. I would further take the liberty of suggesting whether it would not be advisable, instead oflimiting limiting the number to 500, to send out 1000 Stand of Arms at once, as, in addition to the supply of British Columbia, where Arms will soon be wanted, the existing Corps will be continually increasing in number.

12. I would also beg Your Grace to give instructions that four light Field Pieces with their furniture, be sent at the same time, and also that the arms be selected with care, and that the best Enfield Rifles only should be sent—witha a full supply of ammunition.

13. I have to inform Your Grace that there is not a single piece of Artillery belonging to the public in Either of the Colonies under my Government; and that neither for the defence of the Country, nor for loyal and patriotic celebrations, have I the means and appliances allowed, I believe, without exception, to all Her Majesty's other Colonial Possessions.