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Hongkong, 27th January, 1849,
Memorandum with reference to the reductions proposed by His Excellency the Governor and Commander in Chief in the Military Force stationed at Hongkong.
and At Engineers.
Royal Artillery
Regarding the proposed reductions in the corps of Royal Artillery and Engineers by Longineers in this command, I beg leave to observe that in consequence of the long peace in Europe, there are very few officers in these corps under the rank of Field Officer who have ever seen actual service; and that however pacific the state of Europe may be at this moment, I conceive it may be of the utmost importance to have at the head of these corps in this remote command, officers of experience, — men who in case of emergency would be able at the shortest notice to organize all the various details necessary either in the defence of the...