With reference to your Letter of the 23rd March and the
reply to the same of the 11th Inst.:
I am directed by Secretary Major-General Peel to acquaint
you that in giving directions for the supply of Stores to replace
those lost in the "Briseis," the Cases &c specified in the
enclosed List appear to have been shipped in transit from other
persons and their contents are either unknown or, from the
description given, appear to be private property.
Previously to adopting any measures forfor replacing these
Stores, I am directed to request you will submit the subject
for the consideration of the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Lord Carnarvon
I fear it is impossible for the public to charge itself
with the expense of replacing articles which were the property
of private persons on board the unfortunate Briseis.
The things whh I have bracketed Major Cooke says were
public property. When we write to the War Office to order the
replacement of the lost articles include these.
All the Articles you have bracketed in pencil were public property,
as far as can be known. Of the Printing Press and Furnace Bars there
is no doubt, & there were more than the amount specified of cases from
Messrs Pratt & Sewel containing Government Property, of course in the
absence of knowledge of their contents it is impossible to say more.
The number of Casks agrees with those shipped for the Government.