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I will communicate with Hill, Consul at Manila, to ascertain whether any complaints respecting the treatment of the Passengers on board the "Fortuna" on her last voyage have been brought to his notice. I think there is ground to credit the assertion of Messrs Lyme & Co., that their offence arose out of a misapprehension of the law; and if it has not been attended with practical ill consequences, Your Excellency may perhaps consider that the infliction of a fine, as provided for in Sect. XII of the Act, may be adequate to mark the character of the offence, and to induce future caution. If the Owners of the "Fortuna" are to be prosecuted in the Vice Admiralty Court at Hongkong, I must beg for express instruction as to the steps to be taken by me, the matter having been brought more directly to Your Excellency's cognisance.
A penalty in this Consular Court will be enforced against the "Fortuna", under the Port Regulations, for having neglected to report having passengers on board when she cleared out.
I have, &c.
(signed) M. & Morrison
True Copy