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Halifax 7th April 1849
Sir
We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 3rd Inst. enclosing another application from Mrs Creighton de Grassie on the subject of the charges, deducted from the [specie?] saved from the wreck of the spanish schooner Bella Maria. We cannot but express our surprise at the tone of Mrs Creighton de Grassie communication, and regret the temper displayed throughout upon the subject. We deny that we have improperly detained the property of the party claiming the [specie?].The commission charged being less than is usually made for the receipt of payment of monies, and in conformity with the opinion of several leading merchants who were consulted on the subject, as well as in accordance with the opinion of Her Majestys Atty General (which they are bound to respect and be guided by however lightly that opinion may be thought of by Mrs Creighton de Grassie) confirmed by yourself. We deny the allegation that no thought the claim of Mrs Bennett [illegible] a
The Honorable
Joseph Howe
Provincial Secretary