Hammond to Fortescue (Parliamentary Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 19th
Instant, inclosing a Despatch from Governor Douglas stating the
reasons which had induced him to delay acting upon the Instructions
addressed to him by The Duke of Newcastle on the 16th of November
last, directing him to place upon the Island of San Juan a force
equivalent to that retained by General Scott.

I am to request that you will state to The Duke of Newcastle, in
reply, that it appears to Lord John Russell that it would be as well
to wait for further accounts before Governor Douglas' conduct in this
matter is approved by His Grace. Lord John Russell cannot but feel
that Governor Douglas has incurred a serious responsibility in
delaying to act upon The Duke of Newcastle's Instructions of the
16th of November last, and that serious consequences may ensue if
the execution of those Instructions is further delayed.