310
pleased to appoint to find out whether the Owners are willing to sell their Houses and on which their removal must of Course depend as I do not myself conceive that we have any right to force the Owners of Houses to quit.
I hope however they will be induced to do so by a liberal compensation (which will necessarily be added to the Cost of the Barracks) but I cannot refrain from thinking that it would have been a primary object to have placed the Barrack a short distance, at least, from the Town of Chuck Choo, to which its proposed proximity will, I fear, prove a fertile source of dispute and (what is even of more Consequence) a ready means - without the possibility of prevention - of the Soldiers falling into excesses.
I will also instruct Mr Johnston to ascertain the point respecting the drying of Fish, but this operation must be carried on near residencies of the Fishermen, and I do not see how the objection can be avoided without an act of power which I should be very sorry to sanction.
Mr Johnston will return the Proceedings of the Committee and will also (in my absence) report the result of his visit to Your Lordship.
I have the honor to be,
Signed Henry Pottinger
true Copy.
Richard Woosnam