VINCENT KING, Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief to Harry S. Parkes, K. C. B, December 28, 1865

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Sir: In acknowledging the receipt of your letter No. 38, of the 27th instant, forwarding a copy of another addressed to you by Mr. Portman, the chargé d’affaires of the United States, in which he is good enough to so handsomely acknowledge the service that Captain Haswell, of the Pelorus, had the pleasure to render him, and in referring in such flattering terms to the part in which it was the good fortune of the naval officers to participate in the negotiations so recently brought to a successful issue at Hiogo, I beg you will express to Mr. Portman that I was very glad to have had the opportunity of placing a ship at his disposal, and that I am much pleased to be able to convey to Captain Haswell the expression of the acknowledgments of any service he had the means of rendering.

I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,