(bry) M177.-
En 5796987
295
Colonial Secretary's office, Hong Kong, 9th April, 1867.
Sir,
In reply to your letter of 6th instant, which has been submitted for the opinion of the legal adviser of the Government, I am directed by His Excellency Sir Richard MacDonnell to state that your letter discloses a charge of Piracy jure Gentium against the crew of the "Pursee" and their detention on that charge is, of course, justifiable, but the prisoners should be brought up in the usual manner before the United States Consul.