ALOISIO , Adjutant to R. Bonello, October 30, 1873

Sir: I have the honor to report for your information that on the arrival of each of the vessels mentioned with your instruction, I proceeded on board, and in the presence of Acting Inspector G. Gerada, and Sub-Inspectors S. Staines and Inglott, through an interpreter employed on each occasion, I obtained the following answers from the persons marked in the column No. — of said list, whom I have, in compliance with the said instructions, individually and separately examined, viz: That embarked at Tripoli and came to Malta of their own free will, and were proceeding to Stambul of their own free will, each expressing herself in the following words, which I fully understood, “Iena introp in-ruh fi Stambul,” (meaning, “I like to proceed to Stambul,”) and on being asked whether on board there was any one who was their master, or if on arrival at Stambul there would be any one who would be their master, they each answered negatively. I have further to add that several of those women were accompanied by men who from their dress and demeanor appeared to belong to the better classes, and who seemed to exercise some influence on those women. These men, questioned on their relation to those women, answered that the latter were their wives, and the circumstance was confirmed by the women when again questioned by me on the subject.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient servant,