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for the Flag of this colony.
Your Lordship however before giving any directions in the matter wishes me to reply first to Your Circular despatch of the 14th September last containing instructions as to the Flags to be worn by Officers Administering the Governments of the different branches of H.M's service.
Copy of H. M's Order in Council of the 7th August last providing the flag to be displayed "by Officers Administering the Governments of British Colonies and Dependencies- the Union Jack with the arms of the colony emblazoned in the centre thereof."
I have no observations to make on that Order in Council, which seems to me to give a positive instruction. It does not however touch the question which mainly interests this Government namely what the Flag of the colony is to be, which must be settled before it can be emblazoned in the centre of the Union Jack.
The flag at present assigned to the Colony is capable of great and easy improvement, and in fact is wholly unsuitable, as the device, though not strikingly out of good taste, when put on a Medal becomes obviously so when occupying a Seal.
...the device at least is the opinion of myself and my Council, as well as of...