I have had under my consideration your despatch No. 30 of the
16th of May, explaining the reasons which had led you to refrain from
employing the services of an Officer of the Royal Engineers to make a
preliminary survey of the position to be chosen for the
occupationoccupation of
British Troops in the
Island of San Juan.
I can well understand that
Colonel Moody may have been unable to
give a careful opinion on the point upon which you requested his views
without first examining the localities, either in person or by one of
his Officers. At the same time I am ready to acquiesce in your reasons
for
avoidingavoiding any step which, being in itself unnecessary, might have
given rise to unfounded suspicions on the part of the United States
Authorities.