I have the honor to enclose. I am also given to understand that last year Commodore Plumridge refused permission for the troops to occupy the Minden. Of this, and of the Commodore's reasons for the refusal, Your Excellency will be informed by Documents in Office. I would also mention that the Minden being the Dépôt of valuable Stores, it is very essential that she should be strictly guarded from accidents of fire and theft, and as few Chinese boats as possible allowed to communicate, and that, by having Troops on board the Minden, greater facilities for stealing the stores, which are, at the best, but imperfectly guarded, will be afforded.
Having drawn Your Excellency's attention to these points, as well as to the circumstance of there being an abundance of vessels at Whampoa that might be taken up for the accommodation of the Troops, as has been the custom heretofore, I will only add that, should Your Excellency see fit to urge your request, I will give the necessary directions for the accommodation of the said Troops on board the Minden.
I have, &c.,
(signed)
E. N. Cambridge.
Captain & Senior Officer.
True Copy
Macie fotonest sharitory
lonial