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Public Offices document
Hammond, Edmund to Merivale, Herman 19 August 1854, CO 305:5, no. 7373, 162.

Abstract
Public Offices document. Minutes (3), Enclosures (untranscribed) (2), Marginalia (1).
Hammond writes to Merivale to transmit, for Grey’s information, a copy of Crampton's despatch on the ongoing boundary dispute on San Juan Island.
The minutes ask that Crampton’s despatch be withheld from Douglas and the HBC, but that both be told that a Boundary Commission is proposed to be formed.
The first document included in the file is a letter from Crampton to Clarendon, which forwards a copy of Marcy’s letter; the second is a letter from Marcy to Crampton, which asserts that San Juan Island is considered part of the Territory of the U.S.
Hammond to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Foreign Office
19 August 1854
With reference to my Letter of the 5th instant I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you for the information of Secretary Sir George Grey a copy of a Despatch from Mr Crampton, Her Majesty's Minister at Washington, enclosing a copy of a Letter which he has received from the United StatesSecretaryManuscript image Secretary of State in answer to his Representation respecting the supposed intention of the United States Authorities in Oregon to take possession of the property of the Hudson's Bay Company on the Island of San Juan in the Canal de Arro.
I am, Sir,
Your Most Obedient Humble Servant,
E. Hammond

H. Merivale Esqr
&c &c &c
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Merivale
ABd 22 August
Should this be communicated to the H.B. Company? and to Govr
Douglas
HM Augt 22
I think this had better not be communicated. Mr Crampton cd not have understood the point at Issue, when he wrote the letter to which Mr Marcy here replies. TheManuscript image apprehended seizure of the Company's property has not been complained of that I am aware of at all events only as involving a[n] Invasion of British Territorial Rights.
It has been complained of; but not to this department, as I understand.
HM
Gov. Douglas complained that the Americans seemed about to take possession of the Island of San Juan and not "of the Hudson Bay's property on the Island", with which we have comparatively no Concern.
I think Gov Douglas & the CompanyManuscript image should know that a Boundary Commission is proposed to be formed, and that the Govr last despatch received since that proposal was under discussion has been transmitted to the F.O.
FP 23
GG 24
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Manuscript image
1. J.F. Crampton to Clarendon, 24 July 1854, forwarding copy of W.L. Marcy, U.S. Secretary of State, to Crampton, 22 July 1854.
Manuscript image
1.1 Marcy to Crampton, 22 July 1854, stating the governor of Washington Territory had no knowledge of any intention by the U.S. authorities to "take possession of the property of the Hudson's Bay Co on the Island of San Juan," and adding that the island "is regarded there as it is here, as a part of the Territory of the U.S."