Laird Brothers to assistant collector of her Majesty’s customs, Liverpool.
Dear Sir: You have made a slight deviation in the wording of your letter of [Page 422] this date from that of the letter you sent over to us from the treasury. You say, “has directions to seize her in case any attempt be made to remove her from where she is at present.”
The letter from the treasury speaks of the “dock or float where she is at present.”
Now, it is clear that the harbor-master has power to move the berths of vessels in the dock as may best suit the working of the dock; and although we have requested Captain Hookey to give us as long a notice of his intentions to move the El Tousson as he can consistently with the working of the dock, yet we feel that this notice may be given at a time when we cannot inform you of it, as it may be out of office hours.
We therefore suggest that the instructions should only apply (as we understand the treasury letter to be) in the event of an attempt being made to remove the vessel from the dock or float, and not to the mere moving of the ship under the orders and direction of the harbor-master.
We think that Mr. Morgan understands this, but feel that in a matter of this importance it is right to let you understand clearly what we consider we have been called upon to do by your letter and the letter from the treasury.
We are, sir, your obedient servants,
W. G. Stewart, Esq.