Supposing they had captured one, you will fully understand that, on being brought into Hong Kong, I afforded him an opportunity to consider his story additional to that already given.
I asked him for it's being connected with these deaths within the Colony.
Rather than it must have been extremely difficult to ascertain the truth plainly in judicial enquiry with such cases, I make full allowance for the consternation which the consciousness of this uncertainty may cause you. It is no doubt a bad wind, but it is one to which we are exposed in all attempts to establish judicial authority in our distant outpost.
Our bimetallic system is in contact with those with whom we are in contact in this part of the world, and I am as certain as can be that there is no reason for supposing that piracy in Chinese waters is being countenanced or abetted by the Chinese authorities.
On the contrary, I am disposed to think this case has been lightly dealt with, and to state that although I do not think it expedient to bring it officially to the notice of Her Majesty's Government, I think it right to report it to you.
Either when a British fort in the Colony is alleged to be threatened by alleged piracy into Hong Kong, it is...