Honible.
"By Lieut. Colonel Gratian
Executive Council, Hongkong
of the 18th March 1856. "In my opinion all the prisoners are guilty, and I see nothing in the evidence to alter that opinion.
As it appears in evidence that
the shot which led to the death
of the Policeman was fired while the prisoners
were in the house, and subsequently he did not come to his death by their hands, although in the eye of the law guilty of murder, I am of opinion that the sentence
should be commuted to transportation
for life".
(Signed) Hope Gratian, Lt. Col. 59th Regt.
Commanding Troops!
By The Honible. The Colonial Secretary
"I must first premise that though the course taken by the
Executive Council on this occasion is
unusual, I conceive His Excellency
was fully justified under the circumstances
in adopting it - various petitions having been presented on behalf of the prisoners, and public report being strong in support of
their innocence.
"I mention this lest it should be thought by any that the Council is overstepping a power not properly belonging to it in trying anew a case
already solemnly decided
by the Supreme Court of Judicature. The matter concerns human
life, and every Member of the Council
is bound to use every means,
however unusual, to arrive at a correct