Her Majesty’s Treasury to Laird Brothers.
15,02321/10
Gentlemen: In reply to your letter of the 17th instant, relating to the ironclad vessels which you are fitting out, I am commanded by the lords commissioners of her Majesty’s treasury that, after duly weighing all the circumstances of the case, her Majesty’s government are unable to consent to the trial trip of one of those vessels, the El Tousson, taking place, as proposed by you; neither can they allow the removal of the armed force which is stationed for the purpose of upholding tne custom-house officers in possession of the vessel.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Messrs. Laird, Birkenhead Iron Works, Birkenhead.