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 
returned
returned 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 on
on 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.