Her Majesty’s Foreign Office to Laird Brothers.
Gentlemen: Earl Russell has been led to understand that you have intimated that, while you were not in a position to volunteer information respecting the iron-clad vessels lately launched and now being fitted out at your yard, you would readily furnish information upon an official application in writing being made to you for it.
Under these circumstances, Lord Russell has instructed me to request you to inform him, with as little delay as possible, on whose account, and with what destination, these vessels have been built.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Messrs. Laird & Co., Birkenhead.