True Copy
Government Offices, Victoria, Hong Kong, October 29th 1855.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant, relating to a misunderstanding between the authorities or citizens of Great Britain and the United States, and am gratified at your willingness to afford redress whenever the laws have been violated by any public functionary of Hong Kong - and, to remove all cause of complaint, I doubt not but that your ready sense of justice will induce you to direct that the chronometer forcibly and, in my opinion, illegally taken from the American brig "Reindeer", be replaced on board that vessel, as requested by the Consul of the United States.
With sentiments of great respect and regard,
Your very obt. Servant,
(Signed) W. J. M. Cluney
Colonial Secretary.
To Captain A. J. F. Prolianoff,
Commanding U. S. Frigate "Crohatan".
(Copy)
No. 698.
Sir,
Government Offices, Victoria, Hong Kong, October 29th 1855.
I have the honor to acknowledge your Letter of yesterday, and thank you for the expression of your confidence in the desire to maintain a cordial and friendly understanding with the Authorities of the United States.
But being in a British Colony, the Laws of Great Britain must be obeyed, - and I cannot interfere with their ordinary action.
The question of the legality of Proceedings must be left to the decision of those to whom the Administration of Justice is confided.
To Captain W. J. M. Cluney,
United States' Navy,
Commanding U. S. Frigate "Crohatan".