Lugard to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Your letter of the 3rd inst, with its enclosures,
relative to the Marines sent to Vancouvers Island from
China on board H.M. Ship "Tribune" has been laid before the
Secretary of State for War. In reply I am to acquaint you,
for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that Mr
Secretary Herbert sees no reason for differing from His
Grace in thinking that it might be advisable, under the
circumstances, to call upon the Officer Commanding the
Detachment (Captain Maginn) for an explanation of his
conduct in holding out to the Men promises of extra pay
and allowances and a grant of land at the end of six
years service; but he would remind His Grace that Captain
Maginn is under the control of the Admiralty and not of this Department.

Mr Herbert desires me at the same time to observe
that he does not perceive from Rear Admiral Sir M. Seymour's
Despatch that any reference has been made to Colonel Holloway,
Commanding the Brigade of Royal Marines in China, who,
together with Mr Jeans, the Admiral's Secretary, is
distinctly pointed out by Captain Maginn as the Officer
from whom he received the assurances in question.