A.

[718] Dear Sir: Referring to the conversation I had with you in relation to the steamship Shenandoah, I must, oh second consideration, decline [Page 186] (for private reasons) giving *you the information I promised you.

Trusting you will not consider this refusal any want of respect to or confidence in you,

I remain, your obedient servant,

JOHN K. COLLINS,
Stevedore.

Samuel P. Lord, Esq.,
Melbourne.

This is the exhibit, marked A, referred to in the affidavit of Samuel Perkins Lord, sworn before me this 25th day of September, 1871.

W. ATTENBOROUGH,
A Commissioner of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria for taking Affidavits.

I, Samuel Perkins Lord, of Collins Street west, Melbourne, in the colony of Victoria, merchant, make oath and say as follows; that is to say:

1st.
On the 21st day of September instant, I saw Mr. J. K. Collins, of Sandridge, near Melbourne, stevedore, who stated to me, and I believe it to be true, that he was the stevedore of the confederate ship Shenandoah while in the port of Melbourne, and that he took on board her coal when here, and he at the same interview offered to furnish me with a copy of his account against the ship, but on my afterward applying to him for such copy account, he refused to give it.
2d.
[719] On the 21st day of September instant, I saw Mr. Henry W. Lang-lands, who is the manager of the Langlands Foundery Company, carrying on business *here as Langlands Roundery Company, who told me that their company did the repairs to the said vessel called the Shenandoah, when she was in this port; that he paid some of her bills; among the rest he paid the said J. K. Collins the sum of three hundred pounds for stevedore work on the Shenandoah. He stated to me, at first, that he was willing to furnish me with a copy of his account, and afterward on applying to him for it, he showed it to me, but refused to let me have it, unless upon my assurance that it would not be used against his, the British government. This I refused to give.
3d.
I have this day received from the said J. K. Collins the letter marked A, hereunto annexed.

SAMUEL P. LORD.

Sworn at Melbourne, in the colony of Victoria, this 25th day of September, 1871.

Before me,

W. ATTENBOBOUGH,
A Commissioner for taking Affidavits in the Supreme Court in the Colony of Victoria.