H.—27b

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No. 88. —Canada. Council of the Corporation of the City of Ottawa to the Colonial Office. (Received 6th November, 1899.) [Answered : See No. 91.] Sir,— Ottawa, 25th October, 1899. I have the honour to enclose herewith a copy of a resolution unanimously adopted by the Municipal Council of the City of Ottawa on the occasion of the departure of the Ottawa Contingent of Volunteers to South Africa. I have, &c, John Henderson, Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, Colonial Secretary, London. City Clerk.

Enclosure in No. 88. Resolution adopted by the Council of the Corporation of the City of Ottawa on the 23rd day of October, 1899. Moved by Alderman Morris, seconded by Alderman Champagne: — That whereas a number of our loyal and patriotic citizens have enlisted to serve in the Canadian Military Contingent now about to proceed to the Transvaal: And whereas our Motherland is not attacking the people of the Transvaal in a spirit of aggression, but taking reluctantly a step which has been forced upon her after the exercise of unlimited patience and forbearance in the desire to avoid war : And whereas her loyal sons throughout the world may reflect with pride and satisfaction that her motives are honourable, and her cause a just and a righteous one, and that her success in the struggle upon which she has entered means the triumph of equal rights, of progress, of civilisation and enlightenment over ignorance and tyranny: And whereas our citizen soldiers are making great sacrifices by leaving their homes and avocations and risking the dangers and discomforts of severe military service in the defence of their Queen and country, and the upholding of the rights of loyal British subjects in the Transvaal Republic : And whereas this Council, as a representative public body, desires to place on record its great appreciation of the loyal and patriotic spirit which has impelled many of our citizens to enlist in the defence of the Empire: Therefore it is resolved that this Council, in special session now assembled, desires to express its hearty approval of the course pursued by the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain and the Imperial Government, as also of the high appreciation it entertains of the loyal and patriotic spirit which has impelled our citizen soldiers to offer their services to the Mother-country ; that we, the members of this Council, as loyal British subjects, enjoying the greatest measure of freedom under British rule, desire to express to these Volunteers our sincere and hearty thanks on their leaving us to assist in fighting the battles of the Empire, and providing for the residents of the Transvaal a measure of freedom such as we have the privilege of enjoying in this Dominion ; that it is our opinion that, if courage and endurance are requisite qualifications as good soldiers, the Ottawa Contingent can be counted upon to make a name for itself on the battlefields of the Transvaal; that we esteem it a great honour to our city to find so many men willing and anxious to serve their Queen and country at this juncture ; that this Council wishes the Ottawa Contingent God-speed, a pleasant journey, a brilliant and successful campaign, and a safe return to their homes. It is therefore further resolved that this Council proceed in a body to the railway depot to see them embark, and to bid them farewell, and that a copy of this resolution under seal be forwarded to the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, to the Officer Commanding the Contingent, and to the Captain of the Ottawa Contingent. T. Payment, Mayor. Certified a true copy.—John Henderson, City Clerk.

No. 89.—Canada. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor-General the Earl of Minto. (Telegram sent 2 p.m., 7th November, 1899.) Your Ministers' generous offer (No. 83) to send without delay second contingent for service inSouth Africa has received the attentive consideration of Secretary of State for War and his military advisers, but they regret that under existing circumstances they are unable to accept it. The offer will, however, certainly be borne in mind, and Her Majesty's Government will have no hesitation in availing themselves of it should future events make it desirable to do so. Her Majesty's Government attach great importance to this fresh proof of Canadian sympathy and good-will, and desire to express their grateful appreciation of it.

No. 90. —South Australia. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor Lord Tennyson. (Telegram sent 6.45 p.m., 7th November, 1899.) Her Majesty's Government were much gratified to learn from your telegram of the Ist instant (No. 80) of the enthusiasm displayed in South Australia on the departure of the contingent.

No. 91.—Canada. Mr. Chamberlain to Governor-General the Earl of Minto. My Lord, — Downing Street, Bth November, 1899. I have the honour to inform you that I have received from the City Clerk of Ottawa a copy of the resolution (enclosure in No. 88) adopted by the Council of the Corporation of that

3—fl. 27b.