I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, and to express my regret that any misunderstanding should have arisen between the Authorities of this Colony and the Commanding Officer of the United States Ship "Powhatan".
It must be maintained in any British Colony. If wrong has been done, redress will always be found, and I shall be ever ready to afford it, upon any appeal to the constituted Authorities of this Colony. I am sure that there is no one who more sincerely desires to avoid anything like a misunderstanding with the Authorities or Citizens of the United States, or who is more truly desirous of associating his sense of duty with every consideration and respect for the Authorities and Citizens of that great and friendly nation.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) John Bowring,
Colonial Secretary.
(Copy)
Sir,
U.S. Steam Frigate "Powhatan"
Hongkong, 21st October, 1855.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your note of yesterday, and am gratified to learn that the late matter in dispute has terminated to the satisfaction of the Authorities of Hongkong by the payment into Court of the fine inflicted upon Captain Nichols, which payment, however, I am assured by both Captain Nichols and the Counsel of the United States, was made without their authority, and without the knowledge or consent of either.
I most cordially concur with you in deprecating the recurrence of anything like a collision between the Authorities of this Colony and those of the United States.
Sir John Bowring,
Governor, &c., &c., &c.