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does not specifically mention the case in point, I consider myself sufficiently authorized to act in the form in which I have done by indicating an anchorage which ensures the possibility of a proper watch being kept upon a vessel having 412 persons sick with a contagious disease on board, amongst whom symptoms of mutiny have been observed, and some of whom have already escaped from the vessel to the danger of the public health, which given the temper of the immigrants and the imperfect character of the watch to which they are subjected leads to the belief that further desertions may take place.
I respectfully request the Board to inform me of its decision in this matter that I may, in turn, reply to the Chief of the Port's request. (Signed) F. Valenzuela.
No.30. China Commercial Steamship Company Limited. Cable Address "Chinande". 2a Nuevo Mexico 49. No.84.
The Agent of this Company in Salina Cruz informs me that the Sanitary Delegate in that Port has ordered the steamer "Suisang" to retire to a distance of three miles from the shore, where she is required to anchor; without a reason being given for this decision. As this order is prejudicial to the passengers on board owing to the impossibility of providing them at such a distance with a sufficiency of water and provisions, I beg to solicit revocation of the said order, this being in my opinion a matter not only of equity but also of humanity for the passengers who suddenly find themselves deprived of the necessary means of subsistence.
You informed me that the reason for this order was owing to the impossibility of keeping a sufficient watch over the sick persons on board, five of whom had already made their escape, and that the only practical manner of preventing these escapes was by stationing the vessel at such a distance that this should no longer be possible.
As the Board over which you preside, on the one hand, and the Company which I represent, on the other, have in each case substantial reasons for the views they hold, I desire, in order to arrive at a just and reasonable accommodation of the public and the private interests now in dispute, to offer you, in the name of the Company I represent, a formal assurance that they will establish a strict watch over the passengers on board the "Suisang" to prevent their escape, and in case any escapes should take place the Company accepts full responsibility