prove that Chinglie (the wounded man) had been induced to abscond from the Colony by Agency of the traversers.
The Chief Justice concvived that these depositions were not admissible as coïdence. After an interval of about two hours the Jury returned into Court having ignored the Bill. [signed] Saul Sterling.
(True Copy) (signed) A.M. Johnston.
(True Copy)
Colonial Secretary.
Copy.
Opinion.
I have not been able to find any Statutable Provision or Authority on the case, but incline to think that the Consuls might arrest and forward for Trial to this Colony any British Subject against whom there is a well substantiated charge of Piracy. I come to this conclusion from the Power which appears to be vested in a British Consul to call on the Government of the Country where he resides to deliver out of its custody a British subject who has committed an offence at Sea within the Jurisdiction of a British Court in order that the offender may be forwarded for Trial before such courts (Beaufort's Lex Mercatoria) coupled with the fact that by Treaty the Chinese should leave the offender altogether to British Authority, which appears bound by Treaty.
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