=

If

of such be really the fact the restitution of such persons would be justifiable because it would make

The Queen's foot company to proceed. Totally abhorrent,

abhorrent power

of judges.

Just own

principles

notwithstanding these objections

St. M. will not be advised to disallow

This Ordinance but that measure would

involve

in

a

very

successful

error

embarrassment. But you will adopt

immediate

measures for the amendment

of it in reference to the preceding

matters which

will also take

for principles on the subject of

this restitution

of fugitive

members

of

the Triad Society. They should be

delivered

up

to

be tried but not to

be

put to death without Trial.

I have ...

43

# Title.

## Preamble.

HONGKONG,

ANNO OCTAVO

VICTORIÆ REGINÆ.

No. 1 of 1845.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS, ESQUIRE, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China with the advice of the Legislative Council of Hongkong.

## AN ORDINANCE for the suppression of the Triad and other secret Societies within the Island of Hongkong and its Dependencies.

WHEREAS the Triad Society and other secret Societies prevalent in China exist among the Inhabitants of the Island of Hongkong and whereas these Associations have objects in view which are incompatible with the maintenance of good order and constituted authority and with the security of life and property and afford by means of a secret agency increased facilities for the commission of crime and for the escape of offenders.

1. Be it therefore enacted and ordained by the Governor of Hongkong with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof that from and after the passing of this Ordinance if any person or persons being of Chinese origin in the said Island or its Dependencies shall be a member or members of the Triad Society or other secret Societies as aforesaid he she or they shall in consequence thereof be guilty of felony and being duly convicted thereof shall be liable to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding three years with or without hard labour and at the expiration of such term of imprisonment that such person shall be marked on the right cheek in the manner usual in the case of Military Deserters and be expelled from the said Island.

Passed the Legislative Council of Hongkong,

this 8th day of January, 1845

ADOLPHUS E. SHELLEY,

Clerk of Councils.

JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS,

Governor,

Hongkong: Published by Authority, and Printed by John Carr.

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