ALOISIO , Adjutant to R. Bonello, October 30, 1872

Sir: I have the honor to report, for your information, that, in accordance with your instructions, on the arrival of each of the vessels mentioned in the accompanying list, I proceeded on board, and, in the presence of Acting Inspector Gerada and Sub-Inspectors Staines and Inglott, through an interpreter employed on each occasion, I obtained the following answers from the persons marked in column No. 4 of said list, whom I have, in compliance with the said instructions, individually and separately examined, viz: “That they embarked at Tripoli, and came to Malta of their own free will, and were proceeding to Stamboul of their own free will;” each expressing herself in the following words, which I fully understood: “Iena inhopp inruh fi Stamboul;” meaning, “I like to proceed to Stamboul.” And, on being asked whether on board there was any one who was their master, or if on arrival at Stamboul 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 this 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,