Lugard to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Mr Secretary Herbert your letter
of the 13th instant, with its enclosures, and, in reply,
I am to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of
Newcastle, that it does not appear that the promises of
extra Pay &c held out, as alleged, to the Royal Marines of
Her Majesty's Ship "Tribune" whilst in China, as an inducement
to them to volunteer for service in British Columbia, are
based on any instructions or authority from this department.