last month.
you will perceive that by this order, the Consuls are not only empowered to
exercise Jurisdiction
over British Subjects,
but are moreover authorized to a certain extent to interfere in cases which may
arise between British Subjects and the
Subjects of the Emperor of China, and between British Subjects and the Subject of any foreign Power.
The extent to which Consuls can interfere in the former class of cases, is laid down in the Thirteenth Article of the Seventeen Articles appended to the Supplementary Treaty of Hoomunchai. but with regard to the latter class, it is right that I should point out to
you
5
that no Consul can
exercise Jurisdiction
unless a foreigner
may be a party, unless such
foreigner voluntarily submits to his jurisdiction. It is probable that the
practice observed in the Levant with
regard to the decision of suits between Europeans of different nations will, sooner or later prevail in China, and the authority now given to the Consuls to interfere in such suits is indispensable to secure them from molestation in British Courts of Law on account of decisions which they may be unfavourable to British Parties.
The