91
of China
on the 29th of August last (copy of which is enclosed) the
Island of Hong Kong
of Hong Kong is ceded in perpetuity to Her Majesty; that His Ratification of that treaty was sent out to China by the last mail to be exchanged against the Ratification of the Emperor of China; but that it is the determination of His Excellency whether the Emperor of China ratifies the Treaty or not; that Hong Kong shall be a British Possession and be retained as such.
Under these circumstances,
Mr.
T.W. Addington is pleased to request,
that
we would at our earliest convenience report our opinion whether Her Majesty might with propriety issue immediately a commission under the Great Seal constituting and appointing such Persons as Her Majesty may be pleased to select to be Governor
of the Island of Hong Kong; and whether Her Majesty might issue a further Commission authorising any Person to act as Governor in the absence from the Island of
the Person specifically appointed