Having laid before my
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your
letter of the
23 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
thethe information of
M 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
onon 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.