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the Commander of the U.S.S. "Wyoming" on the occasion of her recent presence in these waters was of the briefest character, and until the reception of your communication I was not aware that she had entered the Waters of this Colony, from this Port.
I have no hesitation in saying that, if the facts officially placed before His Excellency be relied upon, courtesy but also a due regard to the Government Proclamation of 26th March 1862 required the course pointed out by His Excellency, the Governor, in your communication.
That such a course was not adopted arose, in my judgment, from the belief of Commander McDougall, of the U.S.S. Wyoming, that the vessel had not entered, but was anchored without the waters of the Colony of Hong Kong, and that an application to the authorities for a supply of coal was not required, except in case she had been supplied at some Port, Roadstead, or waters subject to the jurisdiction of the British Government.