I see also, that you have not rectified the error which you have committed in referring to the Chinese Manuel who did not die on board; but simply that you confine yourself to reiterate the order for my delivering (Cerbère's effects) to the Appraiser, who on this occasion will present himself duly authorized [to receive them.]
The precedents recorded in this Consulate of many cases similar to that which occupies our attention show that there was always kept in this "Cancilleria" ("Chancery) the property of Chinese who had died on board a Spanish vessel, coming from the Havana to Hong Kong, - until their legitimate heirs had presented themselves to claim it.
Upon this point I have consulted my colleagues accredited to this Colony, and they are unanimous in asserting that I am perfectly right in refusing to deliver up the money in question to any other person than the legitimate heirs, declared as such by the Judicial tribunals of the Nation to which they may belong. And as the case in hand is in the same state when I had the honor to address you on the 15th instant,