RENNELL, Harbors-Master to Francis P. Knight, October 2, 1874

Mr. Rennell to Mr. Knight.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt o>f your dispatch of 1st instant, regarding Mr. D. J. Haliday, a citizen of the United States, suspended by me from his position as a licensed pilot at this port.

My action as above is taken under clause 2 of Regulation VII of the Chinese pilotage laws, and is in consequence of a verdict of guilty pronounced and a subsequent punishment of imprisonment inflicted by yourself. Members of a privileged and protected body should, I opine, be above such reproach as must now, for more than one offense and its consequences, be against the appellant. I will therefore ask you, in the interest of discipline and efficiency, to aid the stand I have taken in face of proceedings calculated to discredit the Chinese pilotage service in general and the local branch coming under my immediate control.

I propose referring the case, (as was done in a similar instance some years since,) through a the commissioner of customs, to Peking. Whether my view that the license should be withdrawn is finally sustained or otherwise, I yet trust that your co-operation and support will meantime be accorded.

I am, &c.,