291
in Me
for as it depends
I am prepared to sanction the necessary outlay, but as I observe that the Estimate and Plans which accompanied your letter are assumed, for One thousand men with their Officers and that no reference is made in the Engineers (Lieut. Ouchterlony) Report, to the Barracks and Hospitals that are at present in the occupation of European Troops at the three Stations of Chuk Choo, Cantonment Hill, and West Point (exclusive of the temporary Buildings lately erected for the 41st Regiment of Madras Native Infantry) and which I have understood, are capable of comfortably accommodating from 500 to 700 men, I am obliged before I can decide on those Estimates and Plans to be informed as to the use that is hereafter intended to be made of the existing Barracks and likewise of the total strength of the future Garrison of the Island, for which Provision is Contemplated, distinguishing the several arms under the four heads of Artillery, Engineers and European and Native Infantry.
I have already in a despatch to the address of Lieut General Sir Hugh Gough dated on the 18th of October last recorded my opinion that about One thousand men of all arms will be a sufficient garrison for this Colony under all ordinary circumstances and have seen no reason whatever to change or modify that opinion which has been submitted by me to Her Majesty's Government, so that until Instructions come from England (and which may now be looked for, I trust within the next two months) I should be disposed to limit the further expenditure on this account.