Colonial Despatches

1. I have the honor to make known for your information the arrival in Port Victoria, on the 22nd Instant, of the United States Paddle Steamer "Active," with the Boundary Commissioner Archibald Campbell Esquire and suite on board.

2. Mr Campbell has since been introduced to Her Majesty's Commissioner Captain Prevost, RN; and their first business meeting, took place on the 27th of Instant, with satisfaction to both of those Gentlemen. They are pleased with each other, and disposed to negotiate in a spirit of mutual kindness and accommodation.

3. The meeting of the 27th resulted in an agreement to establish, in the first place, before entering upon any other business, the initial points in the Gulf of Georgia, and at the spot where the 49th parallel of Latitude meets the sea coast, between Point Robertsand and Birch Bay.

4. In the mean time it is the intention of the Commissioners to proceed to Olympia with the "Satellite" and "Active" in company on an official visit to the Governor of Washington Territory.

5. Captain Prevost having expressed a wish that I should accompany him to Olympia, and having an impression that the public service may be thereby promoted, I do not feel at liberty, in consequence of your instructions of the 2nd of January last, to refuse his request, and I will therefore give him a draft on you for the expense of my passage to that place.

6. The United StatesCommissioner Commissioner is provided with a large and efficient staff of scientific officers and a military escort consisting of a full company of the 9th Regiment of Infantry.

7. His instructions direct him to trace out and mark upon the ground the line of boundary from the sea coast to the Rocky Mountains. I believe that the instructions of Her Majesty's Commissioner relate only to the settlement of that part of the boundary line which is in dispute.

8. It is highly important to all parties engaged in the business of this country, that the boundary line, as contemplated by the United States Government
should Government should be marked on the ground as far as the Rocky Mountains, without delay, as uncertainty in regard to the sovereignty of desirable business localities, will retard the course of improvement, and may also lead to serious contests for possession of such places, especially in the gold districts, between Her Majesty's Subjects and the citizens of the United States.

9. Her Majesty's Government may therefore consider it expedient and proper to co-operate in that work, with the Government of the United States, and it is for that reason that I take the liberty ofbringing bringing the circumstance under your notice.