CO885-(10-11) — Page 808

1180/96.

No. 642A.

(GENERAL.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

MY LORD,

Temple, May 19, 1870. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified to us in Mr. Otway's letter of the 16th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us the accompanying correspondence respecting the departure from the Thames of the Chieftain," an armed screw corvette, lately Her Majesty's ship Mutine," which vessel was said to have been bought for the Japanese Government, but there appeared to be some suspicion of her being destined for the Cuban insurgents; and Mr. Otway was pleased to request that we would take that matter into our immediate consider- ation, and inform your Lordship whether any steps should be taken to detain her.

In obedience to your Lordship's command we have the honour to

Report-

That we cannot advise your Lordship that the papers before us disclose sufficient facts to warrant the detention of the "Chieftain for a breach of the Foreign Enlistment Act. As there seems to be nothing beyond mere suspicion that she is really destined for the Cuban insurgenta, she may, we think, be allowed to proceed, if it should prove, on examination by the Custom-house authorities, that her papers are perfectly regular, and if some reasonable explanation is afforded of her flying English merchant colours after having been purchased, as alleged, by the Japanese Government, and being armed as a vessel of war. For this latter purpose we think that there may be good grounds for detaining her, so as to afford time for ascertaining her true ownership and the colours under which she should be navigated.

We have, &c.

&c.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Clarendon,

&c.

&c.

R. P. COLLIER.

J. D. COLERIDGE. TRAVERS TWISS.

M 90636.--2. 25.-1/96.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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