CO885-(10-11) — Page 133

954.

MY LORD DUKE,

No. 103.

(CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Temple, January 28, 1862. We are honoured with your Grace's commands, signified in Sir Frederic Rogers' letter of the 24th January instant, stating that he was directed by your Grace to submit to us for our consideration the accompanying draft of Letters Patent, which it was proposed to issue under the Great Seal, for altering the boundary of British Kaffraria.

That it was proper to point out that the territory of British Kaffraria was by previous Letters Patent, referred to in the accompanying draft, separated from the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope, but that the Governor of that Colony had full power and authority to make the necessary laws for the good government of the territories, independent of any action on the part of the Legislature of the Cape of Good Hope. That by the same Letters Patent the then present limits of British Kaffraria were clearly defined, and it was now desired to extend the eastern boundaries from the Kei to the Bashee River, but the limitations of the contemplated boundary were so imperfectly known in this country, that it was proposed to convey to the Governor at once the power of fixing by proclamation the new boundary, and also to convey to him power from time to time to alter the boundaries of the territory as occasion might require, after having received previous authority for so doing from Her Majesty, through one of Her Principal Secretaries of State.

Sir Frederic Rogers was pleased to request that we would take these draft Letters Patent into our consideration, and furnish your Grace with our joint opinion whether they were sufficient for their purpose, and were unobjectionable in point of law.

In obedience to your Grace's command we have the honour to

Report

That we have perused and considered the draft Letters Patent submitted to us, and

are of opinion that the same are sufficient for their purpose, and are unobjectionable in

point of law.

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.

&c.

&c.

&c.

We have, &c.

(Signed) WM. ATHERTON.

ROUNDELL PALMER.

16278.-756.

25.-2;86.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O.885

10 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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