No. 72

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No 11 of the
8th April transmitting an Address from the House of Assembly of
Van Couvers Island, praying that Her Majesty's Government would send
Commissioners to the Island to investigate the affairs of the Colony
before releasing the Hudson's Bay Company from their responsible
Government.

I have to request that you will state to the House of Assembly that
I am unable to entertain the prayer of their address, and if necessary
to take any steps upon it, until I shall be made acquainted with the
specific grounds on which it is preferred, and with the nature of the
evidence which would be submitted to such Commissioners on the several
questions which the Assembly consider to demand investigation.