Hong Kong into which Lord Stanley
had directed
an
be
Made
any
the Case
at
investigation to
consideration of
present would appear
to be premature. We would therefore
suggest that
Mr Webster be informed
in reply to his communication,
that Instructions
were
sent out to
the colony at the commencement of last year to the effect that Her Majesty's Government could not then sanction the alienation
of any portion of land in Hong Kong,
nor recognize
any provisional grants which might have been made previously to private Individuals, but that
immediately the establishment
of
a regular Government
should be instituted into
an
Enquiry
the Equitable
claims of all Holders of Land, and
that until the result of this
enquiry be known, Lord Stanley
will not be able to take
further steps in this case.
We have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient
humble Servants
John and then Lefevre
(Alexmill
307