CO885-(10-11) — Page 805

5379.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TTILTIC.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

MY LORD,

No. 640.

(BAHAMAS)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

-

Temple, May 13, 1870.

We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified to us in Mr. Charles Spring Rice's letter of the 9th instant, stating-

To C.O., Feb. 10,

1st. That he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us the accompanying correspondence as marked in the margin upon the subject of the proposed sale to the co. Feb. 7. 1870. Spanish Government of the arms and other warlike stores seized on board the "Lilian," 170

0.0., Feb. 26, one of the vessels recently condemned at Nassau, Bahamas, for a breach of the revenue 10

Admy, April 14, laws of the Colony, and he was to request that we would take those papers into our 1870

C.O., May 5, 1970. consideration, and favour your Lordship with our opinion as to the course which it To C.O. MAY would be most advisable to pursue in the matter.

2nd. That the correspondence submitted to us on the 2nd ultimo relative to the Bale of the "Lilian" and other condemned vessels, together with our Report thereon and some further papers, were likewise enclosed for convenience of reference.

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

Report

That the Receiver General is, in our opinion, bound by the provisions of the Bahamas Customs Law of 1850 to sell the goods seized on board the "Lilian" by public auction to the highest bidder, and that he cannot sell them by private contract at their appraised value in the manner suggested. The court, however, may make an order, having in view the results of previous sales, that the sale in each case shall be void if the highest bidder should prove to be an agent of the insurgent Cubans, and that the goods shall not be again put up to auction without a further order from the court.

We have, &o. (Signed)

The Right Hon. the Earl of Clarendon, K.G.

&o.

&o.

&c.

R. P. COLLIER.

J. D. COLERIDGE.

TRAVERS TWISS.

1870.

• 10578.-975.

15.-5/86,