Confidential

Her Majesty's Government desire to be prepared for any opportunity
that may offer for opening negotiations for a Treaty respecting the
Commerce between the "British North American Possessions and the United
States, and with this view they would wish to receive from you
Confidentially such a Statement as you any think best for securing that
the interests of British Columbia meet with just consideration.

I request that you will communicate to the Governor of Canada who
has been authorised to enter into direct communication with you on the
subject, any statement which you may forward to me in consequence of
this Despatch.