THE RUSSIAN WAR: UNPROTECTED BRITISH COM1SERCE.
London, 26th January 1854.
Sra—I remark that in all the speculations put forth as to the results of a war with Russia, it is taken for granted that at sea, at least, we have little to fear from such an enemy ; and, as nothing is so dangerous as a false se- curity, it may be useful to call the public attention to certain weak points, the neglect of which may prove a source of infinite damage and disgrace to the nation. I know not what may be the exact strength of the British squadrons in the Pacific and Southern Oceans, but I know that they are very inadequate to protect the British possessions there ; which are at the same time the most valuable and the most defenceless on the face of the
earth. I shall say nothing of the smaller settlements of Australia, Tas- mania, and New &eland ; which, however, are equally well entitled to the protection of the Mother-country which demands their allegiance, but shall limit my remarks to the more important points of Port Jackson, Port Phil- lip, and Hobart Town ; all of which, though by nature adapted for easy de- fence, are at present at the mercy of any man of war or privateer that may be in that part of the world, and would afford a booty to the spoiler unknown since the days of Anson and the Spanish galleons. The last ship from Syd- ney brings the intelligence that the Russian corvette Dwina had been making some stay there ; and we also know that the two Russian ships of war lately refitted at Portsmouth were on their way to strengthen the Rus. sian squadron in the Pacific. No doubt, we should hear, before the termi- nation of the war, of the destruction of this squadron, and of the capture of all the Russian possessions in America ; but, in the mean time, the Russian squadron may give the world a repetition ef the barbarities committed at Swope; and Sydney, Hobart Town, and Melbourne, with all the magnificent mercantile marine now in their harbours, may be utterly destroyed without the risk to the enemy, incurred at Sinope, of being damaged by the the of an inferior fleet and inefficient batteries. We are very ready to censure the Turks for their culpable negligence in leaving the port of Sinope inade- quately defended ; but what measure of censure do we merit who leave flourishing cities, with upwards of ten millions sterling in the banks, with- out a single gun to defend them ? Nature has done everything to render the Australian harbours defensible, but no advantage has been taken of this circumstance; and as the colonists have no guns, they cannot suddenly profit by their fortunate position. Detached from England, they would run no risk : how can we expect them to sacrifice their interests, nay their ex- istence, to their loyalty ? Colonies not protected must protect themselves by a declaration of independence. There is no time to lose : steamers should be immediately sent out to protect the Australian Colonies and their invalu- able commerce ; and guns and ammunition should also be sent, for the pur- pose of giving the colonists the means of protecting themselves in the ab- sence of ships of war. As regards the mercantile marine, there will be no freights for sailing-vessels in case of war ; the steamers will bring home all the specie and other valuable freight, as they will require no convoy and small insurance. Let the owners of steamers look to this in time, and be ready to profit by their advantages. A war will render sailors abundant, as sailing ships will find few cargoes. I have already trespassed too far to say
more. Your obedient servant, R. G.
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