and you had approved his proceedings it certainly looks probable when I drew your attention to the subject as is admitted in your despatch of the 14th of June last that if I had not taken the matter up the penalty of confiscation would have been diminished.
As soon as I received your despatch of the 8th instant which gave me the first information of the inaccurate statement alluded to, I had an interview with the Hon'ble R. Ryrie, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, who is quite ready to admit and regrets his having incorrectly described you as being convinced of the illegality of the "Prince Albert's" seizure. Moreover, if your recent communication had been made to correct that error, you should have had my prompt assistance - supposing you really thought the matter worth notice. You have, however, preferred using the mistake as an opportunity to take the Public into your confidence, and to give them your views in a denunciation that could be argumentative of everything urged on behalf of the unfortunate owner of the Prince
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