No. 40

I have the honor to forward to you herewith copy of a letter I have
received from Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Maitland, the Naval Commander
in Chief, with its enclosures reporting the contemplated withdrawal
of the detachment of United States Troops from the Island of San Juan.

2. As this movement is evidently consequent upon the troubles now
existing in the Union, and not from any relinquishment of claim to
the Territory, I would submit to Her Majesty's Government that we
should continue our occupation of the Island until the question of
Sovereignty be settled, for of course we have no guarantee against
the Island being re-occupied by United States Troops at any moment
that they might be available for service.