I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordships
despatch of 3rd April 1851 notifying that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to accept my resignation of the office of Governor of this settlement, and that your Lordship has com==municatedcommunicated my request for a passage in one of Her Majesty's ships, to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty.
H.M. Ship "Daphne" being on the point of sailing from this settlement for San Francisco, I have applied to Captain Fanshawe for a passage as far as that port, as it is very unlikely that another of H.M. Ships will visit the settlement this year.
Should no Official announcement of the appointment of my successor arrive in the mean time, it is my intention to nominate a council provisionally, or such a portion of council as may constitute a quorum, the Senior member of which will act as Governor till a new appointment be made,