Claro-Collins to Colonial Office

The Revd W. Claro-Collins presents his compts to the
Right Honourable the Secretary of the Colonial Office, & desires to beg a little information on the following subject.

A poor parishioner of his, has seen in a newspaper an account
of the death of a relative, who was shot in California in some
quarrel. As he has left a little property, the Survivors are
anxious to take steps to prove the death of the deceased; but as
they do not know whom to apply to, nor in what manner the
application Should be made, the Revd W. Claro-Collins will feel
grateful for any information as to whether there are any
authorities in California who can be addressed on the Subject with a
view to establish their relationship & prove the death.