No. 38

1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch
No 72 of the 1st of June last, with reference to the Address
of the House of Assembly of Vancouvers Island praying that Her
Majesty's Government would send Commissioners to the Island to
investigate the affairs of the Colony, before releasing the
Hudsons Bay Company from their responsible government, and
directing me to state to the House of Assembly that you are
unable to entertain the prayer of their address, and if
necessary to take any steps upon it, until you shall be made
acquainted with the Specific grounds on which it is preferred,
and with the nature of the evidence which would be submitted
to such Commissioners on the several questions which the
Assembly consider to demand investigation.

2. I have to state in reply that I will take an early
opportunity of communicating with the House of Assembly in
reference to those your instructions.