Douglas acknowledges Newcastle's despatch conveying the melancholy announcement of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Consort, and promises to publish the notice and [call] upon all persons to go into mourning.
Separate
4 March 1862
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Grace's
despatch of the 16th December last, conveying the melancholy
announcement of the death of His Royal Highness The Prince Consort.
2. I considered it becomingon on such an occasion to issue a
Government Notice publishing your Grace's despatch and calling
upon all persons to go into mourning.
3. The mournful intelligence has been everywhere received
by all classes of Her Majesty's Subjects with the most profound
regret, and not even in the Mother Country could the universal
expression of respect and sympathytowards towards our beloved Sovereign
have been more heartfelt and sincere.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble Servant James Douglas