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be it enacted. The enactment will be to the effect of the recital. Of course it must include the Lord Chancellor and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. The better course may be to prepare a Bill, and make it the subject of full consideration here and in Canada, before it is brought into Parliament.

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.,

&c. &c,

&c.

We have, &c. (Signed)

RICHARD BETHELL,

WM. ATHERTON.

5744.

BIB,

No. 73.

(SIERRA LEONE.)

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE,

Foreign Office, June 25, 1861. I AM directed by Lord John Russell to acquaint you that he has referred to Her Majesty's Advocate General your letter of the 29th of April last, and its enclo- sures, respecting an application made to the Governor of Sierra Leone by the French Vice-Consul at that place for permission for a French merchant vessel to proceed up the Sierra Leone River beyond the harbour of Freetown, which request the Governor had not thought it expedient to accede to.

The Queen's Advocate states that as far as he can judge from the facts laid before him, the Governor acted right in refusing this request, but that he requires further information as to the following points before he can report on the case.

He observes-

First, that the Governor has acted by the advice of his Council, and in accordance with the professional opinion of the Chief Justice and of the Queen's Advocate, but that no information as to what passed at the Council Board, or as to the grounds or reasons of such advice or opinion, is forthcoming.

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Secondly, that the Governor states that "he believes that he is acting in conformity with law and usage," whilst the letter of the French Vice-Consul of March the 6th to the Governor solicits the "preliminary authorisation in accordance with the regula "tions in force," and, moreover, states "that the same question has arisen twice during his Consulship, and that no objection was made to it upon the presentation "of the letter of advice and the application for authority;" and he points out that the Governor's answer to the Vice-Consul takes no notice of either of these statements, no allusion being made to them in his Despatch of the 19th of March 1861, and that it is necessary that a full explanation should be given of the "regulations in force," and

as to the circumstances under which, as is alleged, permission was given in two former instances, before the question can be decided.

I am to request that you will move the Duke of Newcastle to instruct the Governor to furnish the information required by the Queen's Advocate.

I am, &c. (Signed)

WODEHOUSE,

Sir Frederic Rogers, Bart.

016278.--189. 95.-9/86.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O. 885-

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON