Lugard to Elliot (Assistant Under-Secretary)

I am directed by Lord Herbert to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 4th instant together with its enclosure from the
Foreign Office expressing the wish of Lord John Russell that a
Regiment should be sent to Vancouver Island without delay.

In reply I am to acquaint you for the information of
the Duke of Newcastle that orders could be sent by the Mail of the 26th for a
Regiment to go from China to Vancouver Island; but, before giving
them, Lord Herbert desires to represent to His Grace that His Royal
Highness the General Commanding in Chief entertains a strong opinion,
in which Lord Herbert concurs, that it is not advisable, except in
cases of great emergency, to isolate small bodies of Troops in
positions where it is impossible to support them if attacked.

I am to add that, should Her Majesty's Government decide that a
Regiment should be stationed at Vancouver Island, provision should be
made by the Admiralty that a sufficient Naval Force should be so
stationed as to afford the necessary support.