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judicious improvements on the Island; that His Excellency had also, in concert with my Predecessor, placed the responsibility and expense of those measures (including a Fort or Field Work and Barracks on the opposite Mainland) on the Civil Government; and although I ventured, in some of the Despatch N. 13 of the 13th of November 1841, to Lord Palmerston's address, to dissent from, and set aside, the last described proposal, I felt it to my duty to give effect, as far as I could, to all the remainder of the Lieutenant-General's directions... I would respectfully call Your Lordship's particular attention to these points because I have observed in a despatch addressed to Lord Stanley, under date the 18th of last month, by Sir Hugh Gough, a remark respecting Hongshing that I fear might hereafter, if unnoticed, give rise to supposition that I had exceeded His Excellency's intentions and wishes.
I have, as Your Lordship will perceive by the accompanying Notification, already abolished the three offices of Land Officer, Surveyor, and Acting Colonial Surgeon; and during the two past days, occupied with a most careful revision of the Establishments to be continued on this Island, both as the residence of the Superintendents of Trade and as a Military Settlement, pending the receipt of further Instructions.