Crofton to Elliot [Assistant Under-Secretary]

I have laid before the Secretary of State for War your letter of the
14th Ulto forwarding two despatches from the Governor of Vancouver Island requesting that 500 more Rifles may be supplied for the use of
the Colonial Volunteer Corps, and two Field Batteries, with
ammunition &c, complete.

In reply Sir George Lewis desires me to observe that, as it appears
from the Governor's Despatch of the 8th August, that the total
strength of the Volunteer Force is not more than about 350 men, and
that there is not among them any trained to the use of Artillery, the
500 Rifles already supplied would seem to be sufficient for all the
present requirements of the Colony.

Under these circumstances, the Secretary of State must decline to
comply with either of the Governor's request[s].