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Attention has been recalled to a case of considerable hardship, the particulars of which will be found detailed in the accompanying letter from Captain Nolloth, the Senior Naval Officer.
I have taken upon myself to direct the restitution by the Police of the Boat referred to by Captain Nolloth, but I believe I had no legal authority to make such order; and as I pointed out to the Duke of Newcastle in my Despatch of 19 March 1860, Naval officers in like manner find themselves continually obliged to take the law into their own hands to avoid the trouble and expense, and in many cases the injustice, which under existing circumstances would result from the adoption of the necessary proceedings in admiralty to secure the legal condemnation or restoration of captured property.
I have the honor to be, Sir, Your Most Obedient Servant,