Hawes to Under-Secretary of State

I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have
requested the Secretary of State for War to give directions for the
erection of a Powder Magazine in Vancouvers Island, to receive the ammunition necessary for the supply of Her Majesty's Ships on the
Pacific Station.

As the Officer's and men of the Royal Engineers, serving in that
Colony, were lent to the Colonial Department, and, as consequently
the War Department has no control over or cognizance of their
proceedings, Mr Sidney Herbert has directed me to forward the
enclosed copy of an Extract from the Admiralty letter referred to,
dated 6th June 1859, in order that His Grace may give such orders
thereon as he may think fit.