OFFERS FROM AUSTRALIA AND CANADA. 171 borders. But without reckoning this group of colonies, the remainder was seen to possess very considerable military resources, a review of which was calculated to increase our respect for the native vigour, the self-dependence, and the organizing power of the colonists.

On November 25, 18S4, Lord Lansdowne, Governor-general of Canada, had communicated to Lord Derby an application by Major-general Laurie for active employment with any Canadian force that might be raised for service in Egypt. The war office, in reply, stated that there was no intention to organize such a force. The offer was renewed on February 7, General Laurie, Colonel Arthur AVIlliams, and others, undertaking to raise forces. The war office, however, again declined the offers. On February 12 Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales, telegraphed the offer of the Colonial government of infantry and artillery, to be landed at Suakim in thirty days.

In subsequent telegrams it was mentioned that the colony would defray all expenses. Lord Derby telegraphed on February 14 accepting the offer with satisfaction. Other offers from Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia were contained in subsequent despatches from the governors of the respective colonies. On February 20 Lord Derby telegraphed to Sir W. Robinson, Governor of South Australia, requesting him to communicate to the other colonies her Majesty's high appreciation of their patriotic offers, explaining the reasons which induced the government to accept the offer of New South Wales, and observing that if operations were prolonged till the autumn they would take the offers into consideration.

The New South Wales government offered two batteries of artillery and an effective disciplined battalion of infantry 500 strong. On the 14th of February Lord Derby telegraphed that the government would accept the offer of New South Wales with much satisfaction, but that two batteries with ten guns were really more than they could make any use of in the plentitude of their own arrangements. He added that the main operations against Khartum might be delayed until the autumn, but that if with this