From John Kirk, esq., Her Majesty’s agent and consul general, Zanzibar., January 2, 1879

From John Kirk, esq., Her Majesty’s agent and consul general, Zanzibar.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st December last, with inclosures, relative to the visit and search, by order of Captain Earle, commanding Her Majesty’s ship London, of the American bark Laconia.

It is not necessary for me to discuss the legality or illegality of Captain Earle’s action on this occasion. I must, however, be allowed to express regret that if, under the circumstances, the search was illegal, it should have ever taken place; and that, on the other hand, if legal, a vessel against which, on the admissions contained in the statements which accompany your letter under acknowledgment so strong a primafacie proof of slave-trading existed, should not have been taken to a court of adjudication.

I have the honor, &c.,