With reference to my letter of the 14th ultimo, I am directed
by Earl Granville to transmit to you, to be laid before the Earl
of Kimberley, a copy of a further despatch from Her Majesty's
Minister at Washington in regard to the taking [of] the Census
of the Island of San Juan.
I hope Mr Fish was not making fun of our ambassador: I think
not; & no doubt the census although taken will not be included
in the general enumeration of the population of the United
States. The F.O. seem to have taken it rather seriously.
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
Edward Thornton, Washington, to Granville, Foreign Office,
3 October 1870, informing him that the census of San Juan Island
had in fact been carried out "about the end of June or beginning
of July" [predating the avowed decision of the Department of
State to exempt the island].
Granville to Thornton, 21 October 1870, directing him to "ask
Mr Fish for an explanation of the discrepancy between the
promise made to you in reg[ard] to this matter . . . & their
subsequent proceedings."