No. 7

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 18
of the 10th of January, and, under the peculiar circumstances to which
you refer, I have to convey to you my sanction for the extension of Mr.
Birch's leave of absence from this office until the 1st of August (the
arrival of the West India Mail) in order that you may have the benefit
of his services during the present Legislative Session.

A telegraphic message to the above effect was sent by my
Predecessor on the 7th Instant, through Her Majesty's Consul at New
York.