Colonial Despatches

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Confidential Despatch of the 16th January requesting to be informed what are the relative positions of the Naval Commander in Chief and of the Governor of British Columbia in regard to the Affairs of San Juan during our Military occupation of the North End of the Island.

I transmit to you for your information and guidance a Copy of a letter from the Foreign Office in reply to a reference made to that Department on the subject and have to observe that it does not seem advisable to Her Majesty's Government for the reasons therein mentioned that the Government of BritishColumbia Columbia should exercise any jurisdiction in San Juan.