HATHORNE, United States Consul to By the President: W. Hunter, January 3, 1879

Mr. Hathorne to Mr. Hunter.

Sir: I have the honor to transmit a copy of the correspondence between Dr. Kirk, Her Britannic Majesty’s consul-general for Zanzibar, and myself regarding the seizure of three negroes from the American whaling hark Laconia, of New Bedford, Mass., by the orders of Captain Earle, the senior naval officer of Her Britannic Majesty’s fleet on this station; said negroes claimed to be slaves by Captain Earle.

I caused them all to appear before me and examined them under oath, which examination is appended herewith, together with that of the officers and some of the crew of the Laconia.

Each and every one of the alleged slaves were only too glad to continue in the vessel, and I therefore shipped them; and, according to my views of the case, having (unlike the officers of Her Britannic Majesty’s ship London) no pecuniary interest in detaining the vessel, I allowed her to go to sea on January 1, 1879, and she was to cruise for whales toward the United States, and would probably reach New Bedford some time in May next.

I have heard it rumored that an American, a Dr. Wilson, sugar planter on Johanna Island, is the owner of slaves, but cannot vouch for the truth of such reports. With the sincere wish that the steps I have taken in the inclosed matter may meet with the approbation of the Department,

I have the honor, &c.,