Colonial Despatches

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 Columbiaas 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 expressto 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.