No. 10

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 51, of the
9th July enclosing a copy of a Memorial drawn up at a Public Meeting
 which was held at New Westminster on the 22nd June last praying that an
 Imperial Force may be stationed in British Columbia as a permanent
guard.

I request you to inform the Memorialists in reply to their petition
that it is not possible for Her Majesty's Government to hold out the
hope of a Garrison being stationed in the Colony. You will point out
that as the neighbouring Colony of Vancouver's Island is the Head
Quarters of the British Naval Force in the Pacific, the two Colonies are
thereby placed under specially good protection.

At the same time I have to request you to express to the
Memorialists the great satisfaction with which I have observed the loyal
spirit evinced by the inhabitants of the Colony, and the alacrity which
they have shewn in enrolling themselves, and drilling, as Members of a
Local Volunteer Force.

It is my earnest hope that these loyal and patriotic efforts will
be prosecuted in such a manner and spirit as to place the defence of the
Colony on a satisfactory and permanent footing.