Referring to your letter of the 
16 Instant requesting that a
               Court of Vice 
Admiralty may be Established at 
Vancouvers Island, I am
               Commanded by My 
Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you
               that this Court has been Established since the 
8 Sep 1849 two
               persons only have been appointed to offices therein both in the Capacity
               of Vice Admirals one in 
1849, the other 
M Douglas on 
16 May 1851.
               Such being the case all that is
necessary
 necessary to be done is to appoint
               a Judge, Registrar, Advocate and Marshal, when the Warrant may be issued
               adding the powers of a Court of Prize to those already conferred as a
               Court of Instance should such be intended.