permit, if, upon communication with the different Colonies whose postal arrangements are independent of this country, it shall be found that they are willing to acquiesce in the arrangement proposed. But it is obviously necessary that the concurrence of such Colonies shall be first ascertained, the Postmaster-Genral, under the directions of the Treasury, has to request that the Duke of Newcastle will be good enough to communicate with those Colonies the posts of which are independedt of the control of this Department, and to ascertain whether, in the event Her Majesty's Government adopting the general system recommended, they will concur therein so far as the proposition affects their postal charges and arrangements; at the same time adding that Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to reverse the proportion of the charges in all cases where the packet service shall be furnished by the Colonies. It is desirable that it should be explained to the Colonial Governments that the measure must either be excepted in its integrity or declined, as one of the principal objects of Her Majesty's Government is to establish an uniform measure, and this it would be impossible to accomplish if the various Colonies were to suggest modifications suited perhaps to their own peculiar state or requirements, but inconsistent with a general arrangement such as that proposed. The folllowingis a list of the Colonies in which the posts are under the control of Her Majesty's Postmaster-General, viz.— British West Indies (with the exception of Barbadoes and Trinidad) British Guiana, Honduras, Malta, Gibraltar, Hongkong, Heligoland. In all other British Colonies and Possessions the posts are under local management. In older to avoid any misconception, I beg to repeat that the object of the Postmaster-General in the first instance is to inquire whether the Governments of the several Colories will consent to the measure contemplated. Should their consent be obtained, it will then remain to fix a period for bringing the arrangements into effect simultaneously in the United Kingdom and in the Colonies. I have, &c., „ „ r • i (Signed) \f. L. Maberly. Herman Merivale, Esq., &c., &c., Colonial Office,