D.—2

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cargo being discharged ; the water had not touched any of the cargo except the trace and two balls which were in the square of the main hatchway ; there was no symptom of strain in any part ; and the accident, no doubt, occurred from her having fallen off into the trough of the sea after her inaintopsail had been blown out of the bolt ropes, and before sufficient after sail could be got on the ship to keep her to the wind. The ship was making no water: this I verified by sounding the well daily; and she could not be pumped out between the time of my doing so from day to day, there being no pumps (not even the fire engine) available for this purpose. The bulk of the emigrants' provisions was stowed in a store room built in the between decks, just abaft the after hatchway. This storeroom was cleared out, and but a very small portion of the provisions was found to have received any damage. Nearly the whole of the bedding was damaged by salt water, and was landed at the Government Dockyard, thoroughly cleansed, dried, and made up again, the deficiency being replaced by new from the Government stores. While proceeding with the refit of the ship, I received a telegram from you, directing me, in conjunction with Her Majesty's Consul, to institute an inquiry into the conduct of the captain and matron, who had been charged by some of the emigrants, the captain with immoral conduct, the matron, with connivance therein. This inquiry was immediately held at the Consulate, and occupied us during the whole of four days. A full account thereof, with certified copies of the evidence taken, was forwarded to you in a report, dated 21st February, signed by the Consul and myself. I also had occasion, by telegram and letter of 19th February, to report to you that Dr. "Wellby, the surgeon-superintendent, had been several times drunk; and, as I did not consider him fit to havo charge of the emigrants, requested that another surgeon might bo sent for the ship. In the meantime, I requested the Consul to appoint a French medical man, in whom he had confidence, to visit the emigrants daily ; and this he continued to do until the arrival of Dr. Walshe, whom you sent over to take charge as surgeon-superintendent. Dr. Wellby was sent to England, via St. Malo, by the Consul, as he was entirely without funds, and the expenses attending thereon will be defrayed by the owners of the ship, who will render you accounts for the same. The refit of the ship having been completed, I, in company with the same shipmasters who had made the original survey, examined the whole of the repairs, saw that the boats, sails, cordage, stores, and such provisions as were necessary had been shipped, and having found that everything was most satisfactorily done, the emigrants (with the exception of those who refused to proceed in the ship, a list of whom is attached hereto) were re-embarked on Wednesday, the 26th February, and the ship was towed into the roads. After the ship was in the roads, I instructed Miss Colebrook, the sub-matron, to purchase such articles of clothing and necessaries to make good deficiencies in the outfit of the emigrants which had not been supplied by the representative of Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co. (Captain Scott) before he left Brest; and I made good, as far as was practicable, the deficiency in mess utensils, such as knives, forks, spoons, plates, &c. Accounts for all, which I have the honor to forward herewith, and to inform you that I drew on account on you, at seven days' date, in favour of Mr. Edward Le Nourmelac, for £71 2s. Id. Having seen everything completed, I called the emigrants together on the quarter-deck, and addressed them ; after which they expressed their satisfaction with all that had been done for them, and especially desired me respectfully to convey the strongest expression of gratitude to you for having sent me to Brest to see that they were properly cared for, and that the ship was put in a proper condition before proceeding again on her voyage. The ship was detained in the roads from stress of weather and contrary winds, during which time I arranged that fresh meat and bread should bo supplied daily to the emigrants, and that the ship should take two days' supply when she was able to proceed to sea ; and there being nothing further requiring my supervision, and thinking it undesirablo to incur additional expense by remaining longer in Brest than was absolutely necessary, I returned to London, and reported myself at your office on Tuesday, the 4th instant. I cannot close this report without bringing to your notice the zeal and energy shown by all the Government officials at Brest to effect the refit of the ship thoroughly well and in so expeditious a manner; and I have reason to believe that some expression of your opinion on this subject through tho Foreign Office would be very gratifying to all concerned. The untiring assiduity of Mr. Eainals, H.M. Consul, in doing everything to further tho refit of the ship, and his kindness to the emigrants, are beyond my praise ; and I feel confident that to hia great personal influence with the Prefect and all the principal officials at Brest, it is owing that such ready and cordial assistance was given to the ship. I may add that both Captain Dale, on behalf of the owners of the " Edwin Fox," and Captain Scott, on behalf of Messrs. Shaw, Saville, and Co., were most ready in carrying out any suggestions of mine for effecting the perfect efficiency of the ship before she left Brest. I have, &c, Edwd. A. Smith, E.N.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 10 in No. 26. London, 14th March, 1873. List of Emigbants who did not re-embark in the ship " Edwin Fox," at Brest. Martin Hyland and family ... ... ... 3 souls = 2£ statute adulta. Daniel Rogers and wife ... ... ... 2 „ = 2 „ Aaron Chinery and family ... ... ... 4 „ = 2£ „ John Parslow ... ... ... 1 „ =1 „ Jas. G. Donaldson ... ... ... 1 „ =1 „ Charles Fletcher ... ... ... 1 „ = 1 „ James Lee ... ... ... 1 m =1 „ Thomas Eyan ... ... ... 1 „ =1 „