I am directed by the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay
               Company to acknowledge the receipt of 
M Merivale's letter of
               the 
25 Instant, transmitting for the information of the
               Company a copy of a correspondence with 
Captain Leonard on the
               subject of the extension to 
Vancouver's Island of the
               regulations in respect to the acquisition of land by military
               and Naval officers, and I am to acquaint you in reply that a
               communication has been made to 
Captain Leonard to the effect
               that the 
Hudson's Bay Company's tenure of 
Vancouver's Islandwill
               will expire next year, and that they are not in a position to
               grant the privilege requested.