Captain Inglefield, H. M. S. Majestic, to Laird Brothers.
Gentlemen: I beg to acquaint you that I have received from the lords commissioners of the admiralty a letter of which the following is an extract:
“Desiring that full possession should be immediately taken of the two ironclads now under seizure at Birkenhead, that Messrs. Lairds’ workmen should be immediately removed from them, and that the vessels themselves should be removed into the Mersey and stationed where you may determine, with a sufficient guard placed on board of them.”
I have, therefore, to request you will deliver the vessels in question to my custody upon my sending an officer and party to take charge of them. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
Messrs. Laird, Birkenhead.