70777
17.9
Arriving at Hong Kong
Victoria Harbouring 13 May 1844
Governor
Lord Stanley
Reporting arrival in Colony.—Ship "Unicorn" on passage to be admitted.—Exception.—Legislative Council's constitution with T. Shelley as Senator.—Appointment of officers and their number.
I have received your Despatch dated the 4th Feb 1844, L. 4, in which you have appointed Five Public Officers to be members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. I cannot explain why the draft despatch I have just cancelled has been so long delayed. I have found it with some other Papers and Four Public Officers to be members of the Executive Council. I suppose it has been concealed. It has been laid aside.
I find no reason to differ from your opinion that none but official persons or, for the present, sit in either of the Councils. But I cannot concur with you in thinking Royal Instructions authorized the appointment of these members. The delay in doing so was rather unfortunate.
In addition to this matter, there were Official persons whose general attendance could be placed in the channel of Patronage that were in a state of limitation and ambiguity. The Royal Instructions had, with equal certainty, conclusions. Under the peculiar circumstances of the place, it was thought that each of the Councils should comprise the smallest possible number of members and the selection of that small number was essential to the efficiency of anything that might be done as effectively as possible and as unshackled as could be.
The words "effecting the Legislative Council" are to be regarded with great care, but there should be free discussion.