Colonial Despatches

I have received your Despatch No. 36 of the 8th September last, in which you point out that you Predecessor in the Government of British Columbia, Sir J. Douglas, holds the only Commission issued for a Vice Admiral of that Colony, and that you have received none.

In reply I have to directyour your attention to the 3rd Section of the Vice Admiralty Courts Act, which was transmitted with the Circular Despatch from this Department of the 30th of June 1863, and which provides that in any British Possession where the Office of Vice Admiral may become vacant, the Governor of such Possession shall be ex officio Vice Admiral thereof until a formal appointment shall have been made by the Admiralty. That provision was intended in ordinary cases to supersede the necessity of such appointments being made otherwise than underthe the authority of the Act.

In order to prevent any confusion which might possibly arise if the prior authority of the Commission should remain outstanding after the passing of the Act, Sir J. Douglas was requested to resign his Commission as Vice Admiral of British Columbia, which he formally did, and intimated that he would obtain from the Colony the Instrument of his appointment, it having been left there. If however, it should be in your possession it will be desirable that you should return it to this Department.