I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 2
               of the 
9th January, enclosing a Resolution passed by the Legislative
               Assembly of 
Vancouver Island, praying that the Colony may be allowed to
               share in the benefits of any Commercial Treaty concluded with the United
               States

 in favor of the British North American Provinces.
               
               I have to request you to inform the Assembly that the Reciprocity
               Treaty with the United States has been brought to an end, and that no
               other Treaty is at the present time in course of negotiation, but that
               this Resolution will be borne in mind in case the subject should be
               revived.