3. Neither is the opinion you express at the close of your despatch with reference to the disposal of offenders, not being British Subjects, of small magnitude, deserving serious consideration. It would be desirable to leave the offences committed by Chinese against their fellow countrymen to be dealt with as much as possible by their national tribunals, but before adopting the policy you recommend, it would, I conceive, be highly necessary, considering the great importance of the question, to have some clear understanding as to the principle upon which cases to be dealt with by our own tribunals should be distinguished from those to be handed over to the Chinese authorities.
4. As far as I understand the evidence transmitted with your despatch, it seems that the vessel in question sailed from a British port with the object of encouraging Government by the repression of Piracy, and that one of the considerations which weighed with her owners was the probability that the ports of Malacca, Singapore, and Penang (now important ones) would derive benefit therefrom.
4. That the course to be pursued should be clearly defined appears to be the more necessary, as appears from the statement enclosed in your despatch that one of the deponents stated that although the vessel sailed from a foreign port, one Teong ... (while others ...
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