18
· had boats Passengers on board, - whether inquiry (and of what nature, and when) was made by you into the peculiar position of this ship, and if the rules complied with all the Harbor Regulations previously to her leaving the Harbor, and dropping down to Green Island on the 15th as reported by you
It is of great importance that you supply, without delay, a detailed account of the movements and transactions of this ship while under your authority in this Harbor, and the measures adopted by you from time to time with reference to her.
True Copy
I have, &c.,
(Signed) W. J. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary.
(Copy)
Sir,
Emigration Office, Hongkong,
21 March 1856.
19
131
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 185 of 19 instant, and from enquiries made on board the "Levant" and elsewhere, am enabled to report for the information of His Excellency the Governor as follows: -
The "Levant", a ship of 382 tons, sailed under the flag of the United States of America, and was recently sold to James M'Cormick, an American citizen naturalized under the Government of the Sandwich Islands, who chartered her to a Chinese named Ching Lung.
The Honorable
W. J. Mercer, &c., &c.,