Wodehouse to Merivale (Permanent Under-Secretary)

I have laid before Lord John Russell your letter of the 7th instant,
inclosing a Memorial from Inhabitants of Vancouver's Island,
respecting the recent occupation of San Juan by United States Troops,
and requesting that His Lordship would favour The Duke of Newcastle
with his opinion as to the answer which should be returned to it.

I am, in reply, to request that you will state to His Grace that
Lord John Russell is of opinion that the Memorialists should be
informed through Governor Douglas that Her Majesty's Government
highly appreciate

their loyalty to Her Majesty's Crown and Person.

That Her Majesty's Government deeply regret the unprovoked aggression
of General Harney on a Territory of disputed Ownership. That however
Her Majesty's Government are in negotiation with the Government of
the United States on this subject and wish, without surrendering Her
Majesty's Rights, to maintain amicable relations with that Country.