Captain Inglefield, R. N., H. M. S. Majestic, to Laird Brothers.
Gentlemen: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday, engaging to give me reasonable notice of your intention to lift the caisson of the graving dock in which the iron-clad vessel El Monnassir is now being completed, and in reference to our conversation yesterday regarding the possibility of any of your work-people being induced to open the sluices without your cognizance, [Page 424] and by which, in one tide, the caisson might be floated out of its present position, and the iron vessel thereby be withdrawn into the river. I consider that your proposal that the keys whereby these sluices are worked should be removed from the place they are at present kept to another of greater security, under yoar personal care, is deserving of my thanks, and is again suggestive of the good faith which has marked your transactions with me in this unpleasant matter. Allow me to take this opportunity of assuring you that, as far as I have been informed, such has never been doubted by those authorities who, for other reasons, have considered it necessary to place your iron-clad vessels under the surveillance of the customs. I have only further to request that you will let me be informed of your intention to open your graving dock at least twenty-four hours before the time proposed to float the caisson, and thus admit of my making, by a personal interview, an arrangement for the security of your vessel.
Further, having a specific duty to perform, I beg you will not misunderstand me or imagine that I am actuated by a want of confidence in your assurances, should I find that at a later period it becomes my duty to absolve you from your present engagements to me, and take such other precautions as the then progress of the iron-clad vessel toward completion would justify. In the meantime I am satisfied that the present arrangements are sufficient, and (as you expressed to me) doubtless more convenient to yourselves than placing a party of men as a guard upon your premises.
I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,