would prevail upon the French Plenipotentiary, to abstain from urging any demands respecting the question of Jurisdiction over Chinese in Hongkong ; but as there is no reasonable ground for expecting that you doing so, it appears to H: M: Govt that the course now pointed out to you, affords the best chance of obviating the inconveniences which may
be apprehended from the existence in so confined a space as Hong Kong of two systems of criminal
jurisdiction.
I am …
(Signed) Aberdeen
…
Lord Commr in 234 Hong Kong 185 Apul. 6. RECEIVED
Foreign Office Apul. 8.
C.O. APR 7
1843
With reference to Lt. Deputy Superintendent Johnston’s despatch 4. 5. of the 21st of October last, in which he reported to me the disordered state of society which at that time prevailed in Hongkong, I have to acquaint that Her Majesty’s Govt have in consequence determined to lose no time in providing you
with the amplest
powers to enable
of that Island.
late the affairs
for to regulate
The doubts which existed at the time of Lt. Col. Malcolm’s departure from this country as to the possibility of conferring upon you a Commission as Governor of Hongkong before the possession of the Island by the British Crown was
formally completed, have been removed by the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown; and you
will consequently receive by the Mail of this day a Commission from H. Majesty, appointing you to be Governor of Hongkong, together with instructions under the Royal Sign Manual, for your general guidance in the administration of the Affairs For Henry Pottinger Bart G.B.