Enclosure 1.
418 C.O. 655 HongKong, 22nd October 1984
7 Dec. on the subject of the action of the French Cruiser "Forfait" towards the British steam-ship "Taiyuan" on the high seas on the 20th October last
4 seas on
I have the honour to be, My Lord Marquess, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant, William Robinson
17 Copy.
# Sir,
We beg to address you with reference to the most extraordinary conduct of the French man-of-war "Forfait" towards our Str. "Taiyuan", which is detailed in the subjoined extract of a letter from Captain Nelson to us, dated yesterday, and we will be glad if you will represent the matter in the proper quarters that some redress be made for what appears to us to be most unwarrantable action on the part of the French vessel. If we are in error in supposing that an irregularity has occurred we would like to be informed as to the position of British merchant steamers at the present time, so that we may instruct our commanders how to act.
"I beg to report to you the peculiar conduct of the French ship of war "Forfait" which arrived in port this morning soon after we did.
"At 1.0 P.M. yesterday, both vessels were in company. The "Taiyuan" leading and the "Forfait" about half a mile distant on the starboard quarter: at this time the officer of the watch reported to me that the French vessel had just fired a gun on her port bow. I did not hear the report and the officer said it was not a heavy gun. I went on the bridge at once and looked at the other vessel through a telescope.
Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart, Acting Colonial Secretary,
300. &0., *C.*