I have laid before
Lord John Russell your letter of the
7th instant,
inclosing a Memorial from Inhabitants of
Vancouver's Island,
respecting the recent occupation of
San Juan by United States Troops,
and requesting that His Lordship would favour The
Duke of Newcastle
with his opinion as to the answer which should be
returnedreturned to it.
I am, in reply, to request that you will state to His Grace that
Lord John Russell is of opinion that the Memorialists should be
informed through
Governor Douglas that Her Majesty's Government
highly appreciate
their loyalty to Her Majesty's Crown and Person.
That Her Majesty's Government deeply regret the unprovoked aggression
of
General Harney onon a Territory of disputed Ownership. That however
Her Majesty's Government are in negotiation with the Government of
the United States on this subject and wish, without surrendering Her
Majesty's Rights, to maintain amicable relations with that Country.