I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
Despatch No. 97, of the 7th January, communicating to me that
The House of Representatives at Washington had, on the 5th
of Decemberlast, last, adopted a Resolution instructing the Committee on Military affairs to enquire
into the expediency of fortifying
the Mouth of the Columbia River and Puget Sound, for which information I beg to thank Your Grace.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke
Your Grace's most obedient
humble Servant James Douglas