Separate
4 March 1862
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's despatch of the 16th December last, conveying the melancholy announcement of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Consort.
2. I considered it becomingonManuscript image on such an occasion to issue a Government Notice publishing your Grace's despatch and calling upon all persons to go into mourning.
3. The mournful intelligence has been everywhere received by all classes of Her Majesty's Subjects with the most profound regret, and not even in the Mother Country could the universal expression of respect and sympathytowardsManuscript image towards our beloved Sovereign have been more heartfelt and sincere.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Put by.
ABd 2 June