5713.
יו זו וזוז
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
No. 188.
(BARBADOS.)
LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.
MY LORD,
Temple, June 8, 1863. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 19th of May ultimo, stating that with reference to our report of the 18th April last, respecting the alleged partiality shown by the Governor of the Windward Islands, as to the Confederate steamer "Oreto," he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us, together with the previous papers, a letter from the Colonial Office con- taining the Duke of Newcastle's observations upon the views stated in our Report.
Mr. Hammond was also pleased to transmit to us a Despatch and its enclosures which had been received from Her Majesty's Minister at Washington on this subject, and to request that we would again take this matter into our consideration, and favour your Lordship with such further observations as we might have to offer thereupon.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have taken this matter into considera- tion, and have the honour to
Report
That we intended to express by our Report that we thought that the communications and explanations of Mr. Walker to Admiral Wilkes, regard being had to the character of that officer, were unnecessary and inexpedient, and that it appeared to us that they were likely to lead, as they appear to have done, to the difficulties which have arisen from the letter of Admiral Wilkes to Mr. Walker.
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That with respect to the observance of Her Majesty's regulations, in answer to the question of the Duke of Newcastle, we have the honour to state our opinion that it is most desirable that the terms of Her Majesty's proclamation should be strictly adhered to. That coal ought not to be supplied to either belligerent, except in such quantity as may be necessary to carry such vessel to the nearest port of her own country, or to some nearer destination, and that by these latter words it is not intended to include a mere cruizing destination, but some definite port or place. That, there- fore, coal granted at any of Her Majesty's ports, and consumed in cruizing, ought not to be replenished under the terms of the proclamation; but that a vessel whose coal has, owing to real necessities arising from stress of weather, been prematurely ex- hausted before she could, if time and weather were the sole obstacles, reach her port of destination, ought not to be forbidden by the Governor to coal, although within the time specified in the regulations.
It would appear to us that the suggestion of sending an officer on board to verify in each case the necessity for coaling would be likely to give great offence to belligerent men of war; but of course it would be competent to Her Majesty's Government, if they thought fit, to make such a verification the condition of liberty to coal in Her Majesty's ports.
The Lord John Russell,
&c. &c. &c.
We have, &c. (Signed)
WM. ATHERTON.
ROUNDELL PALMER. ROBERT PHILLIMORE.
16276-195. 25,~~~2/86.
• No. 174.
C.O. 885-
10 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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