the general and growing feeling of insecurity that exists among chief English residents in Hongkong on account of the practically unprotected state of this Colony and harbour, which would leave them an easy prey to a sudden attack from any powerful foreign expedition. I wrote as follows:
Strong representations have been made to me recently, showing that "the value of British property in ships, docks, warehouses, goods etc. in this Colony cannot be less than twenty millions sterling; while there is one million and a half sterling in specie in the Banks and mercantile establishments. This estimate does not include the great value of the Naval and Military Arsenals, Barracks and stores; while the loss of power and influence of Great Britain throughout this part of the World even by the temporary loss of Hongkong would be beyond estimate.
If it will be remembered that plans for the fortification