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re-inforce the Garrison of Hongkong in the present critical position of affairs in this part of the globe.
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The same Transport brought also some heavy guns to be mounted on the Batteries defending the harbour. These are, however, open batteries, and could be taken by any force landed on this island, which should be numerous enough to overpower our little garrison of (even with the recent re-inforcement), only about eight hundred (800) effective English troops of all arms.
It will be remembered that Hongkong is within three days by steam of a powerful French Force at Jonquin, and within eight days by steam of a powerful Russian Force at Vladivostock. Under these circumstances, the best authorities agree that there should be here, as in our other strongholds abroad, some Kind Fort or Keep, in which even our small garrison might be able to maintain itself against a sudden hostile attack until relieved by the English Fleet. As I pointed out in