Refer to the letter from this Department of the 13 June and to your reply of the 29 of that month, by which it will be perceived that the Law Officers of the Crown were of opinion that a vessel of war of a belligerent power was not entitled to any exemption from the rules laid down by Me in Council.
Being employed in the pursuit of carrying mails, it appears to be a question for Lord Salisbury's consideration under what conditions, if any, the provisions of the Order in Council could safely be relaxed in the manner and to what extent proposed by the Spanish Government.
Lord C. Hamilton has no hesitation in being guided by Lord Salisbury's opinion and decision to withdraw postal communication from the scope of operations.