and properly; and British Merchant Ships & Subjects may remain
secure in them until the
necessary
convoy can be furnished on their
safe removal.
For
A chance merchant Ship
8.
The high seas is therefore the
only
possible
opportunity of annoyance or injury within the reach
then
one
of an
Enemy, except that with no more
Guns/boats available for
active Service in or near this Harbour, it is not unreasonable to anticipate that a Ship of war
even of moderate power would make trusting her point of assault, Such is really our position.
9.
10.
330
Under these circumstances having consulted the Senior Naval Officer to
whom under Lord Stanley's Despatch
above quoted I looked for the
necessary
protection, I addressed the above mentioned letter to the Governor, and
summoned
the
Executive Council to
consider in the present state of our national relations with the Federal
States
of
America and the particular
circumstances
of our local position,
the serious amount
if it was not the only duty of the Government to take such steps as might be available for the protection of the lives and property exposed to danger within our City and Harbour
11. The Executive Council held...