No. 56, Miscellaneous

I have the honor to transmit the copy of a correspondence between
myself and the Acting Governor of Washington Territory, United
States, having reference to the absconding of the ship "Maria" from
this Colony to Port Angelos, Washington Territory, without papers.

These documents are so explanatory that they require little comment
from me.

Subsequently to the receipt of Acting Governor Evans' letter, the
American Consul resident in Vancouver Island called upon me in
company with a Gentleman interested in the Ship "Maria" desiring to
"come to some arrangement on the subject." I informed him that I
regretted it was wholly out of my power to become a party to any
compromise and recommended that the vessel should be given up to the
proper authorities in this Colony to be dealt with according to law.

I pointed out the incorrectness which might arise to American as well
as British commerce by the establishment of such a precedent as that
of permitting an English vessel to take refuge in an American port
without a clearance or papers of any kind, and declining to give her
up when demanded.

The Consul led me to expect that the "Maria" would be placed within
Colonial jurisdiction, but this has not been done and I have not
received any further communication from Acting Governor Evans which
the last paragraph of his Despatch led me to expect.

I am credibly informed that this vessel has since been at San
Francisco.

While I deem it my duty to bring this matter under your notice I may
at the same time add that the most friendly relations exist between
the neighbouring United States Authorities and myself.