Hammond to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your Letter of the 14th
instant, enclosing Copies of a correspondence with the War
Department, respecting the Question of detaching a Regiment from the
China Expeditionary Force to Vancouver's Island.

I am to request that you will state to the Duke of Newcastle, in
reply, that Lord John Russell continues to be of opinion that
advantage would result from replacing the detachment of Marines, now
doing duty on San Juan, by a similar Detachment from a Line Regiment;
but that, independently of this consideration, His Lordship cannot
but think that, a Battalion might be usefully stationed in
Vancouver's Island, where, and in the adjoining Colony of British Columbia, we have large interests at stake, while, on the other hand,
the neighbouring provinces of the United States abound in a squatter
population only too ready to create disturbance, but against which, if
directed towards the British Provinces, such a force might exercise a
very salutary check.

I am, accordingly, to suggest, for the Duke of Newcastle's
consideration, that a further Letter should be addressed to the War
Office, requesting that whenever another Regiment is removed from
China, it should be sent to Vancouver's Island.