No. 9

With reference to my despatch No. 4 of the 22nd July last
declaring Victoria a free Port, and stating that an enquiry was being
instituted to ascertain whether the Bonding system exists in Californian
Ports, I transmit to you for your information the copy of a letter which
has been received from the Foreign Office in reply to the reference which
was made on the subject to that Department.

I also transmit to you the copy of a letter on the subject from the
Board of Trade, and I have to request that you will furnish me with the
explanation which their Lordships require of the statement in your
despatch of the 23rd March last, that Articles imported into
Vancouvers Island from Californian Ports are necessarily charged with the
Custom duties levied in that State.