The Secretary of State to the Cunard Steamship Company
Your letter February 27. Under facts as presented Department will raise no objection to steamships Orduna and Transylvania entering American jurisdiction with two 4.7-inch guns mounted aft and with forty rounds of ammunition for each gun on condition that the guns and ammunition and appurtenances be placed on the ships before their departure for the United States, and on the further condition that such armament be used for defensive purposes only The last condition will be regarded as accepted by your company by the entry into American jurisdiction of these vessels so armed.