Portal Convention of the
24th of Sept. 1856, and
not on any account diverted from their especial
duty
, or be liable to seizures
detention, Embargo
de Proceso.
The L. O's conceive however that it does not follow that
Such vessels are,
in regard to Any damage they may have done in collision, Exempt from the liability attaching to ordinary vessels. though redress in such cases
be sought through with the Consent (where the liability is disputed & the question of fact is to be tried) of the Court
Concerned.
The 2. officers have
moreover
advised that to be a vessel
is
not within the terms of the Convention and
not national Property
but
merely
chartered
or subsidized by a Foreign State for the
Postal Service, she has no claim to exemption
whatever.
Finally, the Law Officers have observed that the exemption from arrest in consequence
of damages by collision is a
privilege of so high a character, that it should be
clear
proof of the vessel being either the national property of, or subsidized or chartered for the postal Service by the State
and that it is not the
mere leave
or licence
to
carry
letters and other postal
Communications which will entitle the vessel
to