With regard to the Military, the reports which Your Lordship perused from the officers Commanding Regiments in respect to the accommodations of the Native Soldiery were by no means exaggerated.
Remarkably stormy (though not unhealthy) Climate, the mat huts of the men on the wet ground withstood neither wind nor rain, and the deplorable condition of things which I found on my arrival led me immediately to acquiesce in the request of Major General D'Aquilar that he should appropriate the ground on the ride side of the road opposite to the North Barracks to the construction of permanent and proper accommodations for the troops.
There are now in an advanced state of advancement. The mortality among the Soldiery in Chusan in 1840 may cite Chusan to prove that Climate must not be rashly assumed. The mortality then and there was appalling, and from obvious causes; but the Island has since proved to be congenial to Europeans that it is the theme of Mr Martin's admiration.