I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your Grace's Despatch of
               the 
30th December last N
o 81, acquainting me that an application
               had been received from the United States Minister for the issue of an
               Exequatur to M
r Allen Francis, of Illinois, as United
States
 States Consul
               at 
Victoria, 
Vancouver Island, and directing me to report whether
               there is any objection to the appointment, and, if not, to recognize
               him provisionally until the arrival of the Exequatur.
               
               2.  In reply thereto I have the honor to acquaint Your Grace that M
r
               Francis is not a resident of 
Vancouver Island, and that I have no
               personal knowledge of him, and am, consequently, unable to offer any
               opinion upon the appointment.
               
               3.  Mr Francis has not yet arrived, but whenever he does I shall not
               fail to follow your Grace's instructions as before mentioned.