of the master) should have appeared in the proceedings, as there
are calculated
to affect the judgment of the Head of the Government of Hong Kong (and eventually his Lordship) in furnishing
instructions for the disposal of the
Prisoner.
I consider the whole affair to be
of so important a description, that it should now be revised and
investigated in the most formal
manner, that the anomalous position of the colony will admit. I should have been disposed myself to proceed to Hong Kong for that purpose.
But as the case must be submitted to
me for consideration, it is more
regular that I should take no part
in the investigation
234
I have accordingly to instruct you, that you should assemble a court consisting of yourself, and the Chief and Marine Magistrates, and that you proceed to investigate the charge against the Prisoner in the manner I have detailed in this letter, for
which object I enclose
a Warrant under
my
hand and seal,
and which warrant is to be
appended to the Proceedings, as your
authority for so doing.
(signed) Henry Pottinger
H.B.M. Plenipotentiary