each time you have evaded the question. We must, therefore, take it that you refuse to give them. We have been informed by the Principal Under-Secretary that you have informed the Government that you base your refusal on the fact that the bubonic plague is prevalent at Bombay, and that there is danger of infection if pratique is granted to these steamers, and unless we hear from you to the contrary, we shall take it that this is your reason. Presuming this to be a good ground in law, it would certainly have to be based on reasonable grounds.
Dr. Crookshank, in his recent edition on bacteriology, says “that the period of incubation varies from a few hours to a week.” Drs. Prince and Harrison, in their respective reports which we annexed to our clients’ petition to the Government, say much the same, and you, we are informed, give the period of twelve days. It is now 26 and 28 days respectively since the vessels left Bombay, and they have now, and have had, ever since the commencement of their respective voyages, an absolute clean bill of health; and yet, despite these facts, you declare it as your intention to refuse pratique until a period of twelve days have [sic] elapsed after you have disinfected the passengers and ships. Our clients instruct us to protest against such a course, and to inform you that you will be held responsible for all loss caused to them by reason of your refused pratique, and also for the injury to the health of the passengers, which is likely to ensue from being confined to the steamers for a lengthened period.
We are, likewise, instructed to draw your attention to the fact that the steamers have now been at the outer anchorage for upwards of eight days, and that it would appear from your letter of today that no steps have been taken to disinfect them, although on Thursday morning last you informed the writer that you would probably do it that afternoon; for this delay you will also be held responsible.
With regard to placing the passengers in quarantine on shore at the expense of the owners of the vessels, we have to inform you that our clients regard your refusal of pratique as an illegal action, and they will, therefore, be no party to your proceedings, further than to request you, without one hour’s unnecessary delay, to take such steps as you may think proper for what you are pleased to call disinfecting the vessels. Moreover, the course you suggest would not decrease the damage to our clients because they would be unable to land the ships’ cargo.
We beg to record the fact that the Health Officer, on the arrival of the steamers, stated it as his opinion that pratique could be granted without any danger, and that, if he were permitted, he would do so, but he was thereupon, suspended by the Government, and you appointed in his place.
