AR. Johnston Esquire
Sham Fung Queen"
Off Manking December 7
Cession
259
1842.
of Hongkong,
the confirmation of the to Her Majesty the Queen of England, by the Emperor of China, will no doubt have the effect of
greatly adding to the value of land of all kinds in the
Island, and will make Individuals more desirous, than
formerly, of obtaining grants on any
terms.
I therefore think it advisable to inform you
that
I intend to intimate to Her Majesty's Government,
my
determination not to modify or alter the
terms that are now in
force until I shall
have
received instructions
from Home, not only as to the terms on which Grants or allotments are to be made, but likewise,
with respect to the
Manner
of confirming
those that
have already
been assigned,
whether to Individuals
or to charitable or laudable Institutions.
I accordingly beg you
will be
so good as to
awaiting