CO129-083 - Public Offices - 1861 — Page 129

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Once to repair to the Colony to meet the action with sucke assistance as he could obtain on the spot. Im Gammond also inclond Confidentially, two private Letters pan Mr. Alcock to himself, from the last of wh we would

see that the action cannot

}

for the present be proceded with, and that in Alcock has retterned to Japan

Mr Gunnard requested that we would consider the present position of this

advise yt.

Case

and

as to the Course

W - should be pursued in the interest

of the Gost who are

the resolved, considering the difficult circumstances

in wh the Alcock was placed to hear him harmless; and as to the

Distinctions

W

Instuctions which should be Addressed to m". Alcock with reference to the contingency of proceedings being hereafter commenced againt

him.

that there was however

a further and

very

serious

question involved in this case, namely, the liability to which HM. Diplomatic and Corumbac Offre were subject of being diverted b process of faw from the performance of their proper duties, and being subjected to be cast in damages which they might be unable at once to meet, and consequently to arrest and imprisonment in default of payment. That such a state of things might be brought about by circumstances over which they

had