I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
M Merivale's
               letter of the 
16 Instant addressed to 
M Colvile the Governor of
               the 
Hudson's Bay Company, stating that upon the production of a properly
               certified account of the expenditure connected with the charter of the
               Steamer "
Otter" as a Guardship for the protection of the Settlement in
               
Vancouver's Island Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to repay
               the same. In reply I beg to state that although the Governor and
               Committee of the 
Hudson's Bay Company are aware that the "
Otter" was employed for the purpose above mentioned, they are not in possession of
               any proper account of the expenditure.
They
 They have however addressed
               their Agent in 
Vancouver's Island on this subject, and as soon as a
               reply has been received I shall do myself the honour of laying it before
               you.