3. Your Excellency will see from the map of the New Territory, that the Devils Peak Peninsula commands the entrance to Tolo Harbour. Troops landed at Junk Bay, Port Shelter, can be approached from Tolo Harbour.
Recognising this we propose to locate adequate defences on the land side of the batteries, which will necessarily be accompanied by quarters for troops, water supply, and exercising grounds, and it is now sought to create a Military Reserve so that no new rights of ownership may interfere with the tactical value of the position.
4. Your Excellency will probably appreciate that the taking of these two batteries by an enemy, would mean the loss of the Colony to the British Nation.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's obedient Servant,
(Sgd:)
W.J. Gascoigne,
Major, R.E.,
Commanding Troops in China.