of the crime previous to their capture and conviction led the Chief Justice to
pass sentence on them, the severest sentence of the Law. When the case came before
me in Council, it was after a careful perusal of the Judge's
notes, and a consideration of all the circumstances attending the offence, that the sentence of the Court ought to be executed, and I accordingly confirmed
the same.
It unfortunately happened that, due to the overcrowded state of the prison, (a defect which can
only be remedied by the erection of an adequate gaol, under the circumstances) these three persons were locked up in the same cell. They appear to have assisted in strangling and hanging each other during the
afternoon, and thus evaded the public execution for which they had been reserved, a practice common, I understand, among Chinese felons condemned to death.
The circumstance was reported in the enclosed letter by the Chief Magistrate, and a Coroner's inquest being held on the bodies, the verdict "Felo de se" as stated in Enclosure No.2 was returned.
I have the honor to be,
With the highest respect,
Your Lordships' Most Obedient, Humble Servant,
27th April