I wrote these questions, and Mr May replied to them in his own handwriting as above, up to question 3. to which the answer is in the hand of Mr Grant-Smith, Assistant-Superintendent, who received the Complaint and was sent me on board the "Reindeer" by Mr May.
(Signed) W. J. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary.
4th November, 1855.
True Copy
Colonial Secretary
Copy
Sir,
No. 224/09
Chief Magistrate's Office, Victoria,
Roughing, the 5th November, 1855.
You have expressed a wish that I should set down in writing, for the information of His Excellency, The Governor, what I recollect of the circumstances attending a complaint, on the 23rd ultimus, of the Master of the American ship "Vandal". I have the honour to make the following Statement.
At noon the Master of the "Vandal" informed me that the Master of the "Reindeer", accompanied by the United States Consul, was in attendance, in obedience to a summons to Answer ...
The Honorable
W. J. Mercer, Esquire,
Colonial Secretary.