I beg to append to this Despatch a Copy of the Proclamation issued on the occasion.
I have the honour to be, With the highest respect, Your Lordship's, Most Obedient Humble Servant,
J. F. DAVIS.
PROCLAMATION.
By His Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, Baronet, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China-
Major-General William Staveley, C. B., having been graciously nominated by Her Majesty to be Lieutenant-Governor of the Island of Hongkong, the annexed copy of a Commission under Her Majesty's Signet and Sign Manual, is hereby proclaimed and published for the general information and guidance of all Her Majesty's Subjects and others whom it may concern,
(L.S.)
By His Excellency's Command,
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Given at Victoria, Hongkong, this 27th day of January, 1848.
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.
VICTORIA, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to Our Trusty and Wellbeloved William Staveley, Esquire, Major General of Our Forces, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Greeting: We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your loyalty, integrity, and ability, Do by these Presents constitute and appoint you to be Our Lieutenant-Governor of Our Island of Hongkong: To have, hold, exercise, and enjoy the said Place and Office during Our Pleasure, with all the rights, privileges, profits, perquisites, and advantages to the same belonging or appertaining.
And further, in case of the death, or during the absence of Our Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Our said Island of Hongkong now and for the time being, We do hereby authorize and require you to exercise and perform all and singular the powers and directions contained in Our commission to Our Governor and Commander-in-Chief according to such Instructions as he hath already received from Us, and such further Orders and Instructions as he or you shall hereafter receive from Us.
And We do hereby command all and singular Our Officers, Ministers, and Loving Subjects in Our said Island, and all others whom it may concern, to take due notice hereof, and to give their ready obedience accordingly.
Given at Our Court at Windsor this Twenty-eighth day of October 1847, in the Eleventh year of Our Reign.
By Her Majesty's Command,
Major General William Staveley, C. B., to be Lieutenant-Governor at Hongkong.
GREY.
(True Copy.)
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The Honourable Major-General William Staveley, C. B., Lieutenant-Governor of Hongkong, has this day taken the oaths and his seat as a Member of the Executive Council of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies.
By order of His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hongkong,
Colonial Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 27th January, 1848.
W. CAINE, Colonial Secretary.