22.
277
24
his own vessel, look firm and decided stand, and adopted a line of action, from which to deviate would have been failing in his duty towards his Government.
The above explanation I trust will be considered satisfactory by Her Excellency, and be deemed sufficient to remove the undeserved stigma which might otherwise appear to attach to the conduct of the Commander of the "Elbe".
As regards the insinuation held out against the undersigned, of ignorance of the law affecting the case under discussion, he must properly confess, that he never laid any claim to profound knowledge of international law, but he claims at all events the privilege of knowing and understanding his duty, the dictates of which appeared to him in this instance to be simple, easy and clear.
And the Commander I regret, and begs to join in this expression