THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COLONIES,
3 JULY, 1890
THIS WAS THE INSTRUMENT USED BY THE WAR OFFICE TO INDUCE THE RELUCTANT BERMUDA ASSEMBLY TO CREAT VOLUNTEER ARMY UNITS.
I am directed by the Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th December, 1889 forwarding a copy of a despatch from the governor of Bermuda relating to the question of sanctioning the proposed improvement of the Channel leading into St. George's harbour.
I have also to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 31 December, 1889 respecting the establishment of a hotel in Bermuda by a Joint stock Company, the shares of which may be held by aliens.
In reply to both of these letters I am to request you will be good enough to inform lord Knutsford that Mr. Stanhope considers, on the ground that we hold Bermuda as a Fortress and Coaling Station and not as a Colony, that nothing in the smallest degree interfering with its strength and character should be permitted; and as long as Bermuda contributes nothing towards its defence, Mr. Stanhope can see no reason for changing his views.
If, however, Bermuda would undertake to raise the local force recommended by the Colonial Defence Committee ... the total cost of which is estimated at about 4,265 pounds per annum, and would engage to pay such a sum towards the cost as the Colonial Contributions comittee consider it can pay, Mr. Stanhope would be prepared to reconsider his determination on both points...
Public Records Office, England, MSS Correspondence 1890, Letter to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies from the War Office, 3 July, 1890.
Extracted, in turn, from "Defence Not Defiance: A History of The Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps", by Jennifer M. Ingham, B.A., B. Ed., Published by the Autjor. ISBN 0-96966517-1-6.