CO885-(10-11) — Page 707

5805.

SIB,

No. 562A.

(Hora Kowa.)

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

Foreign Office, May 20, 1869. WITH reference to my letter of the 22nd of January last, I am directed by the Earl of Clarendon to transmit to you, for the information of Earl Granville, a copy of B further correspondence between his Lordship and the French Ambassador at this Court on the questions which have arisen out of the disturbance on board the Messa- geries steamer "Le Tigre" at Hong Kong.

I am to add that the answers which have been returned to the Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne are founded upon reports furnished by the Queen's Advocate.

I am, &c. (Signed) E. HAMMOND.

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

LORD CLARENDON to PRINCE DE LA TOUR D'AUVERGNE.

MONSIEUR L'AMBASSADEUR,

Foreign Office, May 19, 1869.

I HAVE the honour to inform your Excellency with reference to my letter of the 6th instant, that I have referred to the Law Officers of the Crown your Excellency's further letter of the 3rd of this month in reply to mine of the 22nd of January, respecting the arrest at Hong Kong of some sailors on board the Messageries steamer

Tigre." I have now the honour to state to your Excellency that my reply above referred to, which was founded, as I stated to your Excellency, upon a report from the Law Officers, was based upon the assumption that your Excellency's letter of the 24th of December laat intended to convey the fact that the "Tigre" was not engaged in the conveyance of correspondence, but in the carriage of baggage only; and upon that assumption it Tigre was employed in was not considered by Her Majesty's Government that the " execution of Articles I. and II. of the Postal Convention, so as to be within the Article V. of that Convention.

E

scope

of

Her Majesty's Government did not, however, intend it to be understood that they considered the Postal Convention of 1856 to apply only to vessels engaged exclusively in carrying correspondence, as they hold that vessels chartered or subsidised by either the English or French Governments as packets, will be within the scope of Article V. of the Convention, provided they are actually conveying correspondence, notwithstanding that they may also be conveying passengers and merchandise; and if the "Tigre" was such a vessel and so engaged, Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that she would come within the fair scope of the Convention.

His Excellency the Prince de la Tour d'Auvergne.

I have, &c. (Signed) CLARENDON.

'Lord Granville's note only printed.

16976.-017,

25.-5/66.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O. 885

Reference :--

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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