Laird Brothers to her Majesty’s Foreign Office, Treasury and Admiralty.
My Lord: We sent you this morning the following telegram:
“Captain Inglefield informs us that his orders are to take the two iron-clads into the river Mersey.”
“We protest against the probable destruction of our property in having ships (one of which is a mere hulk, without masts, funnel, or steering gear) taken out of docks, where they are now in safety, and moored in the river at this inclement season of the year, and we trust that the orders sent to Captain Inglefield will be reconsidered,” which we now beg to confirm.
We are, my lord, your most obedient servants,
The Right Hon. Earl Russell.
Same sent to G. A. Hamilton, Esq., Secretary to the Treasury, and to the Secretary to the Admiralty.