good behaviour leads to their being instantly sent back to their Corps, in which they are received as marked and subjected to the most rigid discipline.
It is only by this combined system that it has been found possible in India to preserve that tone of sobriety and good conduct which is so indispensable for the regulation and order of the Police and through its exertions to provide for the well being and tranquillity of the Society at large,
nor can the Governor in Council see any other method that can possibly be adopted here. His Excellency is however very anxious to await the receipt of the Instructions that may be almost daily looked for from Her Majesty's Government on this important question before he takes into consideration the best plan for hereafter recruiting the Police Corps.
No:171 arrive you are 763 Corps and until those Instructions shall be received, you are requested to provide for any casualties that may unfortunately become requisite under the view of the case taken in this letter by reducing the number of men stationed at each Police Station in equal proportions.
In the mean time it may be advisable to send a copy of this letter to the Assistant Adjutant General for the information of the Honorable the Major General Commanding the Troops in China.
I have &c,
(Signed) Richard Hootams
William Pedder Esqre
Marine Magistrate &c,
Victoria,
Hongkong, April 20th 1844
Sir,