No.
letter. No 229 of the 20th instant proposing that Captain Edwards, the Assistant Quarter Master General, should receive charge of the Barracks at West Point, and be allowed to entertain seven (7) Chinese Watchmen for their safety, I have the honor to enclose a general Order, dated the 21st instant sanctioning the arrangement and expense.
I think it however advisable to suggest to your Lordship, that a Guard of at least a Naigue and three Sepoys of the 41st N. I. should be stationed at the Barracks to mount (at night) one Sentinel over the Building in which all the Barrack Furniture may be placed, as I question the ability of the Chinese Watchmen to repel any attempt that may be made by the Bands of Robbers with which the Colony is still infested, and in putting down which I am devising every means that I have to.
(Signed.) Henry Pottinger
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, VICTORIA Hongkong July 21st. 1843.
General Order by His Excellency the Governor &c.
THE Barracks at West Point being about to be vacated by the Wing of Her M's 55th Regiment now stationed there-in order that the Ground in the neighbourhood may be levelled and drained, agreeable to the recommendation of the medical Committees which have lately assembled to enquire into the cause of the prevailing sickness at that location—His Excellency the Governor is pleased to direct that the barracks shall be placed in charge of Captain Edwards, the Assistant Quartermaster General, and that, as a temporary measure, an establishment of seven (7) Chinese Watchmen on pay of $6 each per mensem shall be maintained for the safety of the Buildings and Barrack Furniture.
By Order,
G. T. BROOKE
Lt. H. M. 55 Regt. Military Secretary,