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Despatch to London
Seymour, Frederick to Grenville, Richard 14 December 1868, CO 60:33, no. 834, 663.

Abstract
Despatch to London. Minutes (2), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2).
Seymour forwards correspondence between himself and Hastings regarding conferring the local rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel on Captain Delacombe. Seymour discusses previous correspondence regarding Delcombe’s promotion Seymour had with the Colonial Office. Cox’s minute suggests seeing 123/537. Blake’s minute suggests seeing subsequent 4/2189 14 January 1869. Included documents describe Seymour and Hastings’s correspondence.
Confidential
Victoria
14th December 1868
My Lord Duke,
I have the honor to forward copy of a correspondence which has passed between Rear Admiral Hastings andmyselfManuscript image myself respecting the proposal of conferring the local rank of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel on Captain Delacombe, Royal Marine Light Infantry, while in command of the English Garrison on San Juan Island. Such rank to be honorary and carry with it no precedence without the Island nor any increase of emolument.
2. As Admiral Hastings acquaints me that he willcommunicateManuscript image communicate officially with me on this subject, as soon as he shall have heard from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I should hardly venture to trouble Your Grace on this present occasion were it not that I am informed that Captain Delacombe has been put in possession of a copy of the letters I enclose. They may therefore not improbably reachYourManuscript image Your Grace before I shall be able to answer Admiral Hastings' official communication. I need hardly say that my letter of the 23rd November was purely unofficial. But I would beg Your Grace to believe that I am not preferring the slightest complaint against the Naval Commander in Chief, with whom, I am happy to say, I am on the mostsatisfactoryManuscript image satisfactory terms.
3. Had I been writing officially I should certainly have mentioned that the approval of Lord Stanley of the suggested arrangement was more implied than expressed.
4. Brevet Colonel Bird is now in command of the American force on the Island.
I have the honor to be,
MyManuscript image My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble Servant
Frederick Seymour
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Sir F. Rogers
See 123/537.
May be put by I think.
CC 30/1
FR 1/2
WM 1/2
G 4/2
Manuscript image
See subsequent 4/2189 14 January 1869.
[EB]
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
Seymour to Rear Admiral Hastings, 23 November 1868, discussing the appointment of Captain Delacombe to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Manuscript image
Hastings to Seymour, 24 November 1868, expressing reservations regarding the appointment and advising that he would communicate officially on the subject at a later date.