ALOISIO , Adjutant to To the most illustrious Mr. G. Psaila , Adjutant of Police, October 28, 1871
Most Illustrious Sir: I have the honor to inform you that, according to standing orders relative to the Moorish slaves who occasionally pass through this port for the Levant, during the last three months I have had occasion, upon the arrival of the following steamers from Tripoli, to suspect that among the number of individuals who are described in the margin, over against the names of the respective steamers, were (some who were) slaves, and accordingly I have conferred with them in the place hereunder indicated, and have caused to be explained to them, through an interpreter, that under the British rule they enjoyed emancipation if they chose to avail themselves of such privilege, to which they replied to me with an absolute refusal of wishing to prosecute their journey to Constantinople.
I have examined in the post-office 16 individuals arrived by the Trabulus Garb.
In the lodging-house Strada S. Ursola Valletta, 8 individuals arrived by the Abeasis.
On board the English steamer Mary, 2 individuals.
I have the honor, &c.,
To the most illustrious Mr. G. Psaila, Adjutant of Police, &c.
N. B.—The literal translation of the last sentence of the original misstates the fact. As explained to me by Adjutant Aloisio it should be fully rendered thus: “To which they replied to me with an absolute refusal (to accept their freedom and a declaration) of wishing to prosecute their journey to Constantinople.”