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Despatch to London
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 21 August 1861, CO 60:10, no. 9045, 339.

Abstract
Despatch to London. Minutes (2).
Douglas writes to Newcastle to acknowledge receipt of Newcastle's earlier confidential despatch on the subject of the “impending hostilities” between “the United and Confederate States of North America,” and he confirms the need for “the strictest neutrality” in all matters, naval and political, related to the conflict.
No. 48
21 August 1861
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Grace's Despatch marked "Confidential", of the 11th of May last, on the subject of the impendinghostilitiesManuscript image hostilities, which have since commenced, between the United and Confederate States of North America, and informing me that it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to apprise me, from time to time of their views on the questions which are likely to arise out of this state of conflict, and in respect to which I may be called upon to act.
I observe by the sameDespatchManuscript image Despatch that Her Majesty's Government are disposed to admit the claim of the Southern States to be recognized as a Belligerent, and as such, invested with all the rights and prerogatives of a Belligerent.
I presume by those terms is meant that we are bound to respect their Blockades, and to abstain from any act which may violate the conditions of the strictest neutrality.
IManuscript image
I also observe that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to dispatch adequate reinforcements to the Squadrons on the North American and West Indian Stations for the protection of British Shipping; and that it is Her Majesty's pleasure that nothing should be done by the Naval Forces, indicative of partiality or preference of either party in the conflict.
I will, accordingtoManuscript image to Your Grace's instructions, consider those directions as indicating the course which Her Majesty's Government desire me, in any emergency, to pursue.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
and humble Servant
James Douglas
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Put by.
ABd 11 Oct
Put by.
TFE 11/10
Douglas, Sir James to Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle Henry Pelham Fiennes 21 August 1861, CO 60:10, no. 9045, 339. The Colonial Despatches of Vancouver Island and British Columbia 1846-1871, Edition 2.0, ed. James Hendrickson and the Colonial Despatches project. Victoria, B.C.: University of Victoria. https://bcgenesis.uvic.ca/B61048.html.

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