& 10570/66.
107
Peninsular Oriental Steam Navigation Company,
Offices, 122, Leadenhall Street,
London E.C. 25th October 1866.
Sir,
I have the honour, by order of the Directors, to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch dated the 22nd instant (No. 393) in further reference to the alleged illegal conveyance of letters on board the Company's Steamers in China.
Since the return to England of the Superintendent at Hongkong this matter has been fully enquired into, and the Directors feel satisfied that the Company's officers are not to blame for the practice referred to. It is true that an instance occurred in which the Commander of one of the Company's Steamers thoughtlessly
The Secretary of the
General Post Office.
delivered