John Welsh to P. S.—I have no doubt that, upon the receipt of this note, your lordship will take the necessary steps in the matter.—J. W. Inclosed: Copy of a notice of motion, January 28, 1879

Mr. Welsh to the Marquis of Salisbury.

My Lord: At half-past six last evening, after the legation was closed, a notice, of which the inclosed is a copy, was left with the janitor of the building in which our offices are situated.

I have the honor to inform your lordship that the ship against which a warrant has been applied for by the owners, master, and crew of the steam-tug Admiral, is the United States national ship of war Constitution regularly commissioned by the Government of the United States, and that the Constitution at the time of the alleged salvage services was on a voyage from Havre to New York, under the orders of the Secretary of the Navy, and engaged in the national service of the United States for public purposes connected with the late exposition at Paris, in pursuance of a special act of Congress.

The so-called cargo consists of property of which the United States Government has, for public purposes, charged itself with the care.

I beg to add, for your lordship’s information, that I am informed that the actual and efficient services rendered to the ship in assisting her off the shore, were those of Her Majesty’s tug Malta, and that for such services as were rendered by the tug Admiral, I am advised that a liberal and handsome sum has been offered on behalf of the Navy Department of the United States.

I have, &c.,