I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's
letter of the 26th Instant transmitting the Copy of a letter received
by Sir John Pakington from the Earl of Malmesbury together with its
enclosures, on the subject of Queen Charlotte's Island, and requesting
to be informed whether, in the opinion of the Directors of the Hudson's
Bay Company, it would be desirable that a Commission should issue to the
Governor of Vancouver's Island to be Lieutenant Governor of Queen
Charlotte's Island, and whether the services of Mr Douglas could be
available in that capacity.

In reply to which I beg to acquaint your Lordship that it appears
to the Directors of the Hudson's Bay Company exceedingly desirable that
the Governor of Vancouver's Island should receive the proposed
appointment.

There is nothing in the circumstance of the present Governor of
that Island holding an employment under the Company, which stands in the
way of such an appointment, or which would prevent his services from
being available for carrying into effect the views of Her Majesty's
Government.