CO885-(10-11) — Page 415

5308.

No. 340.

(BAHAMAS)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

MY LORD,

Lincoln's Inn, May 26, 1865. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 17th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us, for such observations as we may have to offer thereupon, a letter from the Colonial Office (May 11), enclosing copies of a Despatch and its enclosures from the Governor of the Bahamas, relative to the proceedings of the United States vessel of war at Inagua.

We are also honoured with Mr. Hammond's letter of the 23rd instant, transmitting a further letter and its enclosure from the Colonial Office respecting this case.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have taken these papers into consideration, and have the honour to

Report

That the course pursued by the Governor of the Bahamas appears to us to have been in every respect right and proper.

With respect to his Excellency's suggestion that United States ships of war, engaged in convoying mail packets carrying passengers of all nations, should upon the conditions and under the limitations mentioned by him, be permitted to use the roadsteads at Mariguana and Inagua, we think that it may properly be acted upon if it should be considered necessary or expedient still to contínue in force the general exclusion of ships of war of either belligerent from the ports and waters of the Bahamas.

We have, &c.

The Earl Russell.

(Signed)

ROUNDELL PALMER. R. P. COLLIER. ROBERT PHILLIMORE.

• 16278.—378. #5.-9/86,

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference :-

C.O. 8

885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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