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No. 49.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The subjoined Translation of a Proclamation issued to the Chinese Community of Hongkong by His Excellency Sir JOHN BOWRING, Governor and Commander-in-Chief, &c., &c., &c., is published for general information.
Whereas the Island of Hongkong is a part of the Dominions of Great Britain, and governed by its Laws: as the people of every Nation whatsoever thereto resorting, either to reside or to trade, are entitled to the protection of the British Government, so is no one of them, no matter to what nation belonging, exempt from punishment of its Laws if he venture to break them.
Information has been received that Meetings have of late been secretly held in the Colony by persons engaged in planning a Seditious Movement against the Empire of China. Are they not aware that such proceedings are utterly forbidden by the Laws of this Government, and that they expose both Principals and Accessaries to very severe penalties?
It being deemed right to make public without loss of time the prohibitions of the law affecting this offence: Notice is hereby given to all the Inhabitants of the Colony, that any person, whether Chinese or of any other nation, detected in making, planning, or arranging an Attack of a Warlike character upon any person in any part of China, will be proceeded against with the utmost rigour of the Law. Such of you, the Chinese Population, as continue to pursue your avocations in peace, will have the benefit of protection as heretofore; but those who, ungrateful for that protection, presume to make use of this Colony as a place in which they may assemble to contrive Sedition, shall be handed over, the moment they are discovered, to the Chinese authorities to be dealt with. The warning given, it will be followed by the execution of the Law. Let every one attend and obey!
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 24th October, 1855.
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