No. 9

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 2
of the 9th January, enclosing a Resolution passed by the Legislative
 Assembly of Vancouver Island, praying that the Colony may be allowed to
share in the benefits of any Commercial Treaty concluded with the United
States in favor of the British North American Provinces.

I have to request you to inform the Assembly that the Reciprocity
Treaty with the United States has been brought to an end, and that no
other Treaty is at the present time in course of negotiation, but that
this Resolution will be borne in mind in case the subject should be
revived.