Phinn to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your
letter of the 23d Instant, with its inclosures, relative to the
defenceless state of Vancouver's Island, & suggesting the expediency of
stationing a Ship of war there; I am commanded by my Lords to acquaint
you, for the information of Mr Secretary Labouchere, that the
President Frigate was some time ago despatched by the Commander in Chief
in the Pacific to Vancouver's Island, & that his attention has been
already called to the danger in which the British settlements at that
Island may be placed. My Lords would suggest, however, that measures
for providing some defences on shore & some armed force on the Island
should be taken, as it is impossible for any naval force to undertake
the whole protection of that large Island.