I have the honour to inform you Excellency in reply, that I have no authority to seize and detain in this harbour any ship for having violated the Chinese "Passengers Act," even when proof of such violation may be exhibited, such ship not being a British ship and not within Her Majesty's Dominions.
(Signed) W. Stirling,
Rear Admiral and Commander in Chief.
True Copy,
Colonial Secretary.
(Copy. No. 210.)
Sir,
Government Offices, Hongkong, 28th March 1856.
I have the honour to bring to the notice of Your Excellency that the Ship "General Blane" has left this harbour for Macao, on her Australian voyage, with a considerable number of Chinese passengers.
The vessel quitted this port without the Emigration Officer's Certificate, or Port Clearance from the Harbour Master, and is understood to be possessed of no legal papers, and to have no claim to the rights and privileges of any National flag.
I have reason to fear...
His Excellency Governor Guimarães,
Macao.