[LXXX]
years, whereby many of the people were impoverished. Thus it happened that evil- disposed persons had an opportunity to set their wicked plans for inveigling and kid- napping people in operation. Ignorant women fell an easy prey to their schemes. If once they entered the trap there were but few who could extricate themselves again.
Now it is proposed to publish everywhere offers of reward to track such kidnappers and have them arrested. If once they are in custody they will be severely dealt with. Perhaps these kidnappers, hearing this news, will mend their ways. Thus the grace and favour of His Excellency the Governor will not only put under obligation the people of Hongkong, but all the poor people of the inland districts will, with one voice, praise his goodness.
2. Hongkong is the emporium and thoroughfare for all the neighbouring ports. Therefore those kidnappers frequent Hongkong much, it being a place where it is easy to buy and to sell, and where effective means are at hand to make good a speedy escape. Now, the laws of Hongkong being based on the principle of liberty of the person, the kidnappers take advantage of this to further their own plans. Thus they use with their victims honeyed speeches, and give them trifling profits, or they use threats and stern words, all in order to induce them to say they are willing to do so and so.
Even if they' are confronted with witnesses it is difficult to show up their wicked game. Now we, the undersigned, will use natives of the Tung-kún district to track the kidnappers of Tung-kún, and although their wicked schemes are very deep, yet they will find it difficult to escape a careful search.
3. The undersigned merchants, engaged here in trade for many years past, have lately noticed that the crimes of kidnapping are increasing from day to day. Many of both the kidnappers and of their kidnapped victims are natives of our native district (Tung-kún). Seeing this to be the state of affairs, it is unbearable to think that these villains take this hospitable Colony for a convenient refuge. A meeting has therefore been held, and it is proposed to raise subscriptions with a view to publish everywhere offers of reward. For every one who brings a kidnapper to trial, whether man or woman, provided they (the kidnappers) are Tung-kún people, and irrespective of the place to which the kidnapped persons may belong, there will be, for each person brought to trial and sentenced, a reward paid to the amount of 20 dollars, and if the kidnapped persons are natives of the Tung-kún district, and the kidnappers belong to other districts, the reward will also be paid as above.
4. The money raised has been subscribed by Tung-kún people, and it will be settled hereafter where the money is to be deposited. But three persons of good repute will be elected to act as managers; and when any case of kidnapping turns up, as soon as the case is tried and proved, the amount of the reward will forthwith be paid by the managers; and as regards the kidnapped persons, whether they came far or near,
the managers will arrange and provide means for their being sent back to their homes.
5. This statement has originally been drawn up with a view to be forwarded as a petition which may be kept on record, praying that the Government issue a warrant. For the kidnappers keep their movements enveloped in secrecy; but if, on information being obtained, the authorities have first to be requested to send detectives to inquire or arrest, it will necessarily take some days, and the kidnappers will meanwhile make good their escape. It is therefore necessary to request the Government to issue a warrant, so that the moment information is given the kidnappers can then and there be given into custody on the spot, whereby the kidnappers will all at once be deprived of their resources and be unable to escape. Should this arrangement be carried out kidnapping will soon be stamped out.
Translated by E. J. EITEL.
Hongkong, 9th November 1878.