I have received and laid before my Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty your letter of the
19 instant relative to
bestowing the local rank of Lieutenant Colonel upon
Captain W.A.
Delacombe of the Royal Marines, whilst he is in Command of the
English Force at
San Juan.
I am commanded by their Lordships to acquaint you, for the
information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that
they consider it desirable, if
Captain Delacombe should be
granted the local rank of Lieutenant Colonel while holding
command of the British Force
at at
San Juan, such rank should be
honorary and carry with it no precedence outside the
Island, nor
any increase of emolument.