C
594
Attorney General, and ascertaining that there was doubt as to the possibility of the illegality of the proceedings, I instructed him to apply without delay to the Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court for an order to release the "Ava". While I was consulting the Acting Attorney General, it appears that the attendance of all parties at his house, which is about two miles out of town, was required.
At the time appointed the Acting Attorney General applied for the order to release the vessel, which was at once issued.
6. No 3 in Despatch of 1872.
It transpired that the Solicitor of the Messageries Maritimes Company had applied to the Judge to withdraw the Warrant. Mr. Ball very properly declined to make any order without hearing both sides, and he fixed the same evening for the hearing. This simple narrative of facts is, I trust, enough to remove any doubt as to the justice of the complaint which has been made.
Nevertheless, before closing this letter, I beg to express my thanks to Your Lordship and to Lord Granville for the language which has been used to the French Government when...