garrisons, but thought it more prudent to wait until a further reinforcement arrived, or was definitely refused - and that I fully concurred in your view. With regard to the local forces I said no one pretends that they are efficient - 2/3rds are armed and 1/2 drilled, the remainder neither armed nor drilled at all. The first shot fired creates a panic and Devil take the hindmost becomes the order of the day, for these wretches whom we employ have no interest in risking their lives for us, and won't do it. But drill them, let them feel that they can depend on their officers and each other, and British bulldog courage will make them reliable. Of course it will be disagreeable for Masters and for Officers of companies, but that is a minor consideration when one looks at the number of lives and amount of property at stake in case of a row. Our object ought to be, not so much to defend ourselves when attacked, as to prevent