Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a Resolution conveying the thanks of the House of Assembly of Vancouver's Island to Captain Richards and the Officers of H.M.S. Hecate for the services rendered by them to the Colony during the period they were employed in carrying out the surveying duties entrusted to them in this quarter of the Globe.

2. I have much pleasure in forwarding this Document to your Grace bearing as it does such well merited testimony to the services of an able and energetic Officer. It is unnecessary that I should advert to the high intelligence and attainments of Captn Richards in his particular calling but I trust I may be permitted to say that during the long period Captain Richards was here I received from him on many occasions most valuable assistance and I ever found him sincerely desirous so to conduct the important service entrusted to him as to subserve the best interest of these Colonies.

3. I should have taken an earlier opportunity of transmitting this Document to your Grace had I not known that Captain Richards would return home by way of Australia and I considered it would be more convenient if the receipt of this Despatch by your Grace were more concurrent with his arrival in England.