Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter from Mr Merivale of the 12th Instant, in which he informs me that your Grace, after reconsidering the question with respect to the rights of the Hudson's Bay Company over certain lands held by them in Vancouver's Island, can only abide by your conclusion previously announced, namely, that an authoritative decision on the subject should be obtained from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Such being your Grace's determination, it only remains to myself and my Colleagues to submit. We are consequently ready to take such steps as may be necessary in order to bring the subject, with as little delay as possible, before the Judicial Committee; and if the statement already prepared and submitted to your Grace with reference to the land in British Columbia be approved of, an addition can be made to it as regards the Land in Vancouver's Island.