No. 4

I have the honor to enclose herewith copy of a petition, which was
presented to me yesterday, by a deputation of the most respectable
inhabitants of this Colony, praying that I would make a formal
application that one of Her Majesty's ships should be sent here, for
their protection.

In my Despatch No 3 of the 1st of Instant I communicated my
opinion in respect to the state of the Colony, and the causes which
exist for alarm on the part of the inhabitants, and will only remark in
regard to this petition that its object appears to be just and
reasonable, and therefore I recommend it to the attention of Her
Majesty's Government.