Forwarding CL Despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, relative to protest made by the M. S. Consul in that Colony against a decision given by a law in a suit. Court for wages between an American seaman and the Master of an American Vessel.
Consideration, and report to Y. L. Our opinion as to the right of the Hong Kong Court to exercise Jurisdiction in such cases. That on the ground that the Hong-Kong Courts had no jurisdiction over American seamen in matters of discipline, and that M. Lister was to request that we would order to assist us in forming a judgment on the matter,
1.) a despatch from A. M. Consul for at New York, referring to the jurisdiction exercised by U.S. Courts in suits brought by foreign seamen, was inclosed, together with a Memorandum