Her Majesty’s Treasury to Laird Brothers.
Gentlemen: Referring to your ready acceptance of the offer of her Majesty’s government to prevent any attempt at the forcible abduction of your property, the iron-clad vessel now nearly completed at Birkenhead, and understanding that the trial trip, which has been the subject of former correspondence, has been abandoned, I am directed by the lords commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury to acquaint you that, from information which has been received, it has become necessary to take additional means for preventing any such attempt.
Their lordships have, therefore, given instructions that a custom-house officer should be placed on board that vessel, with full authority to seize her on behalf of the crown, in the event of any attempt being made to remove her from the float or dock where she is at present, unless under further directions from their lordships; and likewise to obtain from the officer in command of her Majesty’s steamship Majestic any protection which may become necessary to support him in the execution of this duty.
My lords request you to understand that these precautions are taken, not from any distrust of your intention to fulfil your engagement of giving a week’s notice before the removal of the vessel, nor with the view of interfering in any [Page 406] way with your workmen in the completion of her, but exclusively for the purpose of preventing an attempt which may be made by other parties to nullify your engagement.
Their lordships have directed Mr. Stewart, the assistant collector of customs at Liverpool, to communicate with you, and they doubt not that these precautions will meet with your concurrence.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Messrs. Laird & Co., Birkenhead.