Lieut. Pedder, R. A.
Harbour Master,
No:15
No: 16
Lieut. Pedder.
Harbour Master
604
Sir
Victoria Hongkong
16th January 1844.
Sir,
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No:1 of the 12 Instant requesting instructions regarding four coloured men found in a small Canoe at Sea by the "Transport "Cornwall" and supposed to have escaped from the wreck of some native vessel in the Pacific. In reply His Excellency the Governor is pleased to direct you to feed and clothe them and to employ them as Boat men in the Harbour Master's Department until you receive further orders on the subject.
I have to,
(Signed) Richard W[oo]man.
No:16
Victoria Hongkong,
18 January 18/44.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No: 3 of the 8th Instant regarding a Boat which was confiscated by the Sentence of the Chief Magistrate's Court. Should you consider such a Boat to be useful in the Harbour Master's Department, the Governor is pleased to sanction retaining her, but if not His Excellency wishes you to learn (verbally) from the Engineer or Commissariat Officer whether she would be useful in either of their Departments and then to forward their replies for further instructions.
I have,
(Signed) Richard Wooman.
No:17