No. 53.
Mr. Bayard to Sir L. S. Sackville
West.
Washington, September 10, 1888.
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence in relation to the sale of the four British vessels condemned for taking seals illicitly in Behing [Page 1812] Sea in 1887, I have the honor to inform you that I have received a communication from the Acting Attorney-General of the 3d instant, in which an expression of my views is requested upon the propriety of an immediate sale of the vessels in view of certain statements made in regard to them.
As an order for the postponement of the sale and the bonding of the vessels was issued by the Department of Justice, in compliance with the request of Lord Salisbury communicated to this Department, I inclose herewith a copy of the letter of the Acting Attorney-General, together with its inclosures, and will be glad to learn whether, in the light of the facts now disclosed, it is still the desire of his lordship that the sale should not be proceeded with.
I have, etc.,