11,339.
SIR,
No. 69.
(Hong Kong.)
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Foreign Office, 13th October 1875. WITH reference to your letter of the 5th of August last, I am directed by the Earl of Derby to state to you that it is the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown that Mr. Field is entitled to be indemnified for his detention on the occasion of the capture of the "Marie Louise" in the Sulu Archipelago.
The Law Officers are, however, of opinion that, notwithstanding his declaration, forwarded to this country by the Governor of Hong Kong, that he was born in Ireland, the nationality of Mr. Field requires some further proof, and that he should be required to state where he was born, who his parents were, when he left Ireland, how long and where he resided in the United States, and what his occupation was whilst in the States.
In the event of these questions being satisfactorily answered, Her Majesty's Govern- ment would, in the opinion of the Law Officers, be justified in pressing the Spanish Government to make some compensation to Mr. Field for his illegal detention.
I am, therefore, to request that, in laying this letter before the Earl of Carnarvon, you will move his Lordship to instruct the Governor of Hong Kong to call upon Mr. Field to supply the required information with as little delay as possible.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
I am, &c.,
(Signed) T. V. LISTER.
▲ 12916-69. 25.-12/64.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
ELENCO. 885
12 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO
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