The most honorable the Marquis of Salisbury to John Welsh, June 14, 1879

The Marquis of Salisbury to Mr. Welsh.

Sir: With reference to the letter which I had the honor to address to you on the 24th of April last, on the subject of the boarding of the United States bark Laconia, in Zanzibar harbor, by a boat from Her Majesty’s ship London, and the removal therefrom of three negroes on suspicion that they were slaves, I now beg leave to inform you that, having carefully considered the circumstances of the case, Her Majesty’s Government have come to the conclusion that Captain Earle was not justified in taking measures to search an American vessel or to inquire into the status of negroes who might be on board in a harbor where there were constituted and responsible local authorities, and where moreover there was a resident American consul.

The conduct of the commander of the London in this case will, therefore, be disapproved, and he will be admonished to be more careful in future.

In informing you of the decision come to by Her Majesty’s Government in this case I have at the same time to express the regret of Her Majesty’s Government at the occurrence, and to request that you will be good enough to convey this expression of regret to the United States Government at Washington.

I have, &c.,