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and Constable of a Village under British appointment. He had lately received a sum of money in compensation of land on which the cultivation of rice had been forbidden, and would appear thereby to have become obnoxious to false accusations. I have declared my willingness to deliver him up on any fair presumption or proof of guilt; but his abandonment otherwise would be a final blow to that confidence which the Chinese Inhabitants of this Colony ought to feel in British protection. I therefore directed the inclosed reply to be sent by Major Caine.
2. 3.
Major Caine.
A little firmness at the commencement will put this question at rest for ever, whereas undue concessions will only invite Encroachment, according to the well known character of the Government with Whom we have to deal, and seriously destroy our credit and claims to respect in the eyes of our Chinese colonists.
I have …
(signed) J. F. Davis.