[Letterhead: ‘COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA’, ‘DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS’.]

IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE NO. 03.4743

[Stamped: ‘GOVERNOR GENERAL’S OFFICE’, ’27 AUG 1903’.]

Melbourne, 26th August. 1903

CONFIDENTIAL. [underlined]

My Lord:-

I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that a communication has been received from the Sub Collector of Customs at Thursday Island to the effect that a young woman named Jackson, a passenger per the Steamer “Clitus” now en route to Singapore, engaged in Sydney as a Typist to the Sultan of Johore has, since embarking, had reasons to suspect that she was deceived and enticed for immoral purposes into accepting the engagement.

The Pilot at Thursday Island offered to bring this lady shore [sic], but she declined. She requested, however, that a cable message might be sent to the Superintendent of Police or other responsible Officer at Singapore, asking that enquiries be made and protection afforded her on arrival there.

I shall be glad if Your Excellency will be so good as to send a telegram to the Governor of the Straits Settlements, asking that enquiries may be made into the matter as suggested, and, if necessary, the requested protection afforded.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Excellency’s most obedient servant,

[Handwritten signature:] Edmund Barton

[Addressed to:] His Excellency,

The Governor General,

Commonwealth of Australia.