CO129-042 - Sir Bonham - 1853 [1-6] — Page 380

insufficient to meet

the

emergency,

should the malcontents make

any attempt

on

Canton, where

}

at present there is only Ster Majesty's Brig "Rapid, a vessel

of 8 Guns, for the protection of

British interests.

Should

any

outbreak take place at that City,

I should not hesitate in

on account

immediately hiring Fiter of Ster Majesty's Government,

one or more, if necessary, of private Steamers belonging

the

to

this Port; but, to make them efficient, it would be essential

to embark on

board each such

ressel at least a Company of

Troops from

this

377

Garrison, and I

have, therefore, after consulting

the Major General Commanding

the Forces in China, conclusion that it is particularly desirable to retain at Houghong for a few months, or until we have adequate Naval protection, the three Companies of the Rifle Regiment, and Captain Sin William Storte has, in consequence, been requested not to accept any of the tenders that have been sent in to him for the conveyance of there Companies to Ceylon

china, come to the

6. I have

every reason to hope