CO885-(11-13) — Page 211

1180/96.

MY LORD,

No. 41. (GENERAL.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Temple, January 19, 1874. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Lord Tenterden's letter of the 15th January instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us the accompanying letters, from which it appeared that there was reason to suspect that the steain-ship "Deerhound," at Dartmouth, was preparing for another expedition hostile to the de facto Government of Spain, and that another steamer, the

Édith," was also fitting at the same port for a similar expedition.

That your Lordship had requested the Commissioners of Customs to cause the vessels in question to be watched, and any suspicious ciroumstances connected with them to be immediately reported.

Lord Tenterden added that he was to request that we would take the papers into our immediate consideration, and favour your Lordship with our opinion as to whether any, and if so what, further action should be taken in the matter.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have the honour to

Report-

That we are of opinion that the facts at present laid before us are not sufficient to justify the detention either of the "Deerhound" or the "Edith." But we advise that both vessels should be carefully watched, in case there should prove to be any reasonable ground for believing that the vessels are about to be dispatched in the military or naval service of the enemies of Spain, or that the vessels are intended to form part of a military or naval expedition. In which case immediate action should be taken under the 23rd section of the Foreign Enlistment Act, 1870.

We have, &c.

The Right Hon. the Earl Granville,

&c.

&c.

&c.

HENRY JAMES. W. V. HARCOURT. J. PARKER DEANE.

0

90236.-3

25.-1/06.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

CO.

Reference :--

885

12 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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