Colonial Despatches

I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th ult relative to claims preferred by the Admiralty against certain Colonies, and to inform you that it is customary in all cases of stores supplied or labor expended at Foreign Stations on behalf of Colonial Governments, to obtain the signature of an officer responsible to the Department to which the supplies have been made.

2. As it is considered advisable by the Secretary of State for the Colonies that in addition to the signature of a responsible officer,the the certificate or authority of the Governor of the Colony (by whom the charges have been incurred) should be obtained, I have to request you will cause such directions as you may think proper to be issued, in order that in future no requisitions may be made or certificate given for supplies from the Naval stations without the authority of the Governor of the Colony.

3. I am also to inform you that the order of the 6th May referred to in your letter related only to supplies to the War Department, and that it will be equally convenient to this Department whether the amounts due from Colonial Governments are paid on the spot, or are recovered by claims raised in this Office.