places being filled by foreigners, Prudging Africans & coolies, whose foul lives, still further deuse morai British flag.
To their honor, some ship-owners & merchants forbid this work-ing of cargoes on board their ships, and give their officers & crews the day of rest, when in port; yet this individual action places these few on a pecuniary disadvantage in competition with their less considerate rivals in trade.
In many trades this demoralizing practice does not obtain.
Happily also, there are many foreign & colonial ports in which the Sunday working of cargoes, either is expressly forbidden, as in some Australian ports; or is greatly diminished by the operation of a tax on Sunday working of cargoes, as in Bombay Harbour; or is very seldom practised, as in Scandinavian waters.
The Missions to seamen are investigating this matter, with a view to suggesting that the restrictive rules found to operate beneficially in some harbours might be more generally enacted.
I am therefore directed to request that you would do the Missions to seamen the great favour of causing us to be furnished with the regulations in force relative to the working of cargoes on Sundays, especially in the harbours of Australia & New Zealand.
I have the honor to be,
Yours faithfully,
Master,
Commander Rick
To H.M.'s Colonial Office,
Secretary
Page 1
(No further page information is available in the original text)