File consists of letters, mostly written by the members of the Imperial Defence Committee to Lord Minto, relating to the development of a Canadian Infantry Battalion for the defence of Halifax and Esquimalt to defend that stretch of the West coast. Before that time, these towns had a semi-autonomous defence by a Canadian Army. "In 1900, Canada raised the 3rd (Special Service) Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) to replace the British garrison in Halifax. The last British garrisons of Halifax and Esquimalt were withdrawn from Canada in 1905 and 1906. The Militia Council, formed in 1904, took control of the militia from British command. A decision was taken to establish a unique Canadian military identity, reflected in distinct uniforms and a different rifle from British imperial troops."
Lord Minto recommended that change. In response to Lord Grey, Lord Minto mentions in one of his letters that Canadians "must be responsible for their military defence". He explains the reasons why this change has to take place. For him, a Canadian infantry would be able to intervene faster because they live close to the towns. However, he recommended that the high level of military command such as the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers should stay under the Imperial military control. The two printed documents dated 1904 come from the minutes of the Imperial Defence Committee of London. The two seals on the envelopes do not have a lot of historical value but their presence with the letters show the evidence of a private communication about this very important subject.
