I suggest therefore that the necessary instructions for the grant of assistance should be issued to the Officers in command of Her Majesty's Ships in the seas likely to be traversed by Chinese Passenger Ships.

In conclusion I am desired to state that a draft of the present letter having been communicated by direction of the Earl of Clarendon to the Law Officers of the Crown on 14 February 1853 (No. 7, O.C., 18 Feb.), they have expressed their concurrence in its contents in a letter of which a copy is herewith transmitted.

It will be observed that they add a suggestion that instructions should be given to Naval Officers who may detain Chinese Emigrant Ships, as to the particular steps to be taken in order to ensure the condemnation and forfeiture of such ships.

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