usually accorded, as I believe, by international Comity, to Consular Officers, of affording the means to secure the offenders while they remain in port and until the requisite examination as conducted by myself here be completed, and to await such order as may be made at this Consulate concerning them, I am somewhat at a loss in what statement is to be made.
to accept your request, my being required to prefer charges against them before the local Magistracy.
I therefore beg to be informed, whether it is thereby signified that the Colonial Magistracy would assume entire jurisdiction of such cases as my former note discloses; charge being made, would the Magistrate simply remand for the safe keeping of the persons so charged, until measures could be completed at this Consulate for returning them to the United States for trial - Further, to the tenor of my request as expressed in my note of the 5th instant.
Trusting that I may be favored with the information above requested at such early hour as your convenience will permit.
I have &c.
(Signed) Isaac J. Allen,
U.S. Consul.
21.
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