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Government,
I have communicated to Major General Durnett, C.B., in conformity with a desire expressed to that effect by His Excellency Sir Hugh Gough, G.C.B., in the event of my having quitted this part of China previous to your arrival, my views regarding the Land Forces to be left at Hongkong, and the other Positions now in the occupation of Her Majesty's Forces along the Coast of China.
I beg to submit a Memorandum dated the 6th of last month explaining my views and intentions as to the Civil Government of Hongkong, and which has gone home for the information of Her Majesty's Government.
I had stated privately some time ago to Sir Hugh Gough that I should consider a strong Brigade of a Native Regiment and four hundred Europeans sufficient Garrison for this place, which would give the other wing of the Native Regiment and a proper proportion of Europeans for that of the Island of Norlungsoo (Amoy).
At that time, however, I reckoned only on four Native Regiments (of which I supposed they would not exceed 600 men each) coming from Bengal, but six have been sent and their average strength is rather more than the 800 men, which is almost double the Native Garrison I had calculated on.
I am therefore disposed to suggest to Your Lordship that one complete Regiment of Madras Native Infantry should be stationed here, and a Brigade of another at Meolangsor, with such European Force as Your Lordship and Major General Burnett may consider proper.
This arrangement will place four ...