The increase in the number of migrants who shipped from this Port during the year is certainly attributable to the efficient measures taken by the Government; and of urgent necessity.
No effort was wanting on the part of the Officers of this Department to carry out strictly the instructions of the Government, with a view to the accomplishment of the object desired.
I beg to inform you with pleasure that there was no disaster to lament during this year, and that if all the Ships despatched did not reach the port of their destination as was to be desired, it was because of the changes of the weather which latterly caused much damage. Some of them, however, arrived in excellent condition, as will be seen by the certificates of the respective Consul.
The only cloud which obscures this report is the fact of what happened to the Peruvian Bark "Maria Luz", which put back to Japan on the 9th July, a case to which I have already referred in my despatch, No. 350, of 30th August, showing the little confidence which was to be placed in the statements, said to have been made by ...