and N 169 of 22th November 1856.
From there it will be seen our opinion that in this Garrison should not consist of less than 1178 even in time of tranquillity.
"I transmit a Copy of the last Military Return received by the Colonial Secretary from which it will be seen that the Bayonets available at Victoria are 474, and of these only 333 Europeans fit for duty, the next sepoys. Of this small force the number of sick is continually increasing daily.
I do not consider this strength sufficient until thrice multiplied,
Considering that we are now fallen on somewhat hazardous times which are likely to continue for a couple of years at least, and considering further that when Sir George Bonham wrote ten years ago the "Colony was not the extensive, wealthy and prosperous place which it has now become, and that as it did not then hold the property, neither did it hold the valuable European lives which it now contains, that in fact it was not then the Head Quarters of British Commercial Interests in China as it now is.
Under these circumstances I trust no time will be lost in making the Hongkong Garrison effective.
I should recommend not less than 1200 British Infantry, with 800 Sepoys or Malays for night duty; to this a Corresponding Naval Force