Sir.
264
Jan. 22.1866
I have laid before The Earl of Clarendon your letter of the 12th inst. Suggesting in reply to my letter of the 9th Jan. a course for the suppression of "Piracy" in the China Sea.
I am to request that you will inform the Lords of the Admiralty that Lord Clarendon regrets to be unable to give effect to those suggestions which appear to be open to grave objection in principle and to be attended with insurmountable difficulties if attempted to be carried into practice.
Secretary to the Admiralty
However