Autographed Letter, Signed. A five page hand-written letter, headed - Downing Street "Confidential", 3rd February 1846 from Colonial Secretary Gladstone to Viscount Falkland, Governor of Nova Scotia.
London. 1846. folio. 32x 20cm, 5p. ribbon tied, in fine condition in clamshell case. (cgc) ". Her Majesty's Government are desirous that the Militia of the whole of Her Majesty's North American Provinces be placed on a footing to enable it to render efficient services, if required. It cannot be long before I receive an account of the measures which the Legislature of Nova Scotia shall have adopted with respect to its own Militia; and your Lordship had better apprise Lord Cathcart of the amount of the Force which you can expect to be able to raise. .The general principle applicable to this matter is, that during Peace each Colony bears the charge of its local force. I am led to suppose that so far as regards Nova Scotia, the clothing would be supplied by the parties forming the Militia Force.But arms and accouterments will be sent from this Country, and the cost of them will not be charged to the Province only. As regards the expense of training, I trust, of course, that you will arrange that they shall be defrayed either locally in the Districts, or from the Provincial Treasury. [signed] W Gladstone". An interesting insight into the British government's policy on militia and defence of British North America after the Rebellions of 1837 and the move towards self-government in the Colonies. Future British Prime Minister Gladstone was Colonial Secretary for a short period in 1846 under the Peel government. Viscount Falkland was Governor of Nova Scotia from 1840 to 1846. Resisting the demand for responsible government and at loggerheads with Joseph Howe, Falkland left Nova Scotia under a cloud in 1846. Item #36698
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