112 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
Sir Harry Jones, K.C.B., Royal Engineers, Chairman of the Royal 
Commission on National Defences, dated 25th November, 1859, says :— 
“ I have the honour to acquaint yon that her Majesty's Government 
have decided it is desirable that the store of guns and warlike materiel 
should no longer be concentrated in one place." 
Following upon this came the recommendation of the Royal Com¬ 
mission, in a letter dated May 1860, and their remarks are so im¬ 
portant, so closely allied to one of the chief subjects of this essay, and 
so completely summarise the conditions which should guide the choice 
of a site for a central arsenal, that I cannot forbear quoting them at 
length 
tc It appears to us, therefore, that the second arsenal should, as far 
as possible, be complementary to Woolwich, and should possess those 
properties in which the latter is deficient. 
“ To accomplish this, the first requirement seems to be that the 
new arsenal should be situated nearly in the centre of the country, and 
as far as possible out of the reach of an enemy making a descent on 
our shores from any quarter. 
“ Secondly, it should be situated on the line of retreat that the 
national army would probably adopt in the event of its being unable 
to resist the progress of an invader, in order that it might serve as a 
rallying point, where the resources of the country, both in men and 
materiel , might be collected and organised. 
“ Thirdly, it is indispensable that it should possess ready means of 
communication, both by canal and railroad, with the Thames and Severn, 
the Mersey and Humber, and with the principal seaports of the 
kingdom. 
“ Fourthly, it should be situated as nearly as possible to some of the 
great mineral districts possessing a supply of coal and iron, and in the 
immediate proximity of a population accustomed to metal working*, who 
might, in an emergency, be employed either in the arsenal, or to supply 
it with the requisite stores. 
“ Fifthly, the land on which it is situated should be attainable at a 
moderate cost, and be of such a nature that a large area may be 
obtained free from buildings and other obstructions. 
“ Sixthly, the particular spot chosen should be capable of being 
defended either by temporary or permanent works, and that at as 
moderate a cost as possible."* 
Defences of the Arsenal . 
The manner in which we must endeavour to provide for the security 
of our arsenal, cannot be treated of with any detail in this essay. 
Under ordinary circumstances, we should probably employ a chain of 
detached forts of a permanent nature, to be supplemented in time of 
* The Commission recommended Cannock Chase, in the middle of Staffordshire, and further 
suggested the establishment of A Western arsenal at Runcorn, near Birkenhead. 
