12397.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
1
MY LORD,
No. 673.
(STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.)
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Temple, November 23, 1870.
We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Holland's letter of the 19th instant stating-
1. That your Lordship requested that we would favour you with our opinion upon the application of the third article of the annexed letter of Lord Granville to your Lordship of the 19th July.
2. That "Le Creuse," a French vessel of war, having only four small guns on board, and no soldiers or sailors of the Imperial Marine, but carrying invalids from Saigon to Toulon viâ Aden, put into Singapore. That at the request of the French Consul, who stated, in addition to the under-mentioned particulars, that the "Le Creuse" was to all intents and purposes an hospital ship, and after receiving the annexed letter from Lord Charles Scott, the Senior Naval Officer on the station, the Governor of the Straits Settlements allowed her to take on board coala sufficient to carry her to Aden, the nearest port on her direct route to Toulon, via the Suez Canal, as well as provisions, cattle, and water for the crew and passengers, and he extended the time for her departure to 48 hours to allow of some defect in her rudder being made good.
3. That the Consul for the North German Confederation protested against the steps taken by the Governor, and relying upon the letter of Lord Granville urged, first, that "Le Creuse" was clearly a ship of war within the terms of that letter; and, secondly, that under the third article of that letter she was at all events only entitled to have suffi- cient coals to carry her back to Saigon as "the nearest port of her own country without reference to the direction of the voyage on which she was engaged.
"
4. That your Lordship desired to be informed whether, under the somewhat peculiar circumstances of the case, the vessel must be considered as not falling within the terms
of Lord Granville's letter, and whether the steps which the Governor took, might pro- perly be approved by his (your) Lordship.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have taken this case into our con- sideration, and have the honour to
Report
That under the circumstances of "Le Creuse" being fitted out as an hospital ship we are of opinion that she did not come within the terms of Lord Granville's letter,
and we see no reason why the steps which the Governor of Singapore took should not properly be approved by your Lordship.
We have, &c.
(Signed)
The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley.
&c.
&c.
&c.
R. P. COLLIER. J. D. COLERIDGE. TRAVERS TWISS.
0 16276.-698. 25.-5/86.