CO885-(11-13) — Page 354

1242.

SIR,

No. 124.

(GENERAL.)

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Selborne Chambers, Bell Yard, Tempie Bar,

1st February 1877.

WITH reference to the articles which have appeared in the "London Gazette," stating that the Queen has sanctioned the appointments of certain gentlemen to Colonial Governorships, I am directed by the Attorney-General to call your attention to the fact that the Letters Patent by which other persons were previously appointed Governors of those Colonies still remain unrevoked, and that the office of Governor has not been created therein by fresh Charters or Letters Patent.

Under these circumstances doubts would appear to exist as to the validity of the acts of the persons whose appointments the Queen has sanctioned as their successors.

It would therefore appear advisable that the course adopted in regard to Newfound- land and some other Colonies of revoking the then existing Patents, and creating, by Charters under the Great Seal, the office of Governor, should be followed in all similar

cases.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

I have, &c., (Signed) D. G. JOHNSTONE.

▲ 12916.-12. 25.-12,84.

PUBLIC RECORD

OFFICE

Reference :--

CO.

885

12 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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