"Industrious men are open to the charge of 'illegality', but, in His Excellency's opinion,
"The evidence likely to be obtained in support of it would not justify him in directing proceedings on behalf of Government".
I felt that it behoved me to ascertain, by the only proper means – what evidence existed and could be obtained on that subject; and I also felt that it behoved me, after receiving His Excellency's instructions, not to confine myself to directing proceedings on behalf of the Government, to institute the necessary proceedings.
The fact that the prisoners, from whom the extortions were alleged to have been made, were Chinamen, appeared an additional reason, and a very important one, for giving a judicial form to the enquiry.
His Excellency is aware that, right or wrong, there is a general impression amongst these people that they made the subject of extortion in the Courts of Justice, and most especially in that Court presided over temporarily by the late Sheriff.
I have the honour to forward copies of the Depositions of Jin Ay Sing, the Chinese Turnkey, M. Mackenzie, the Keeper of the Prison, Wong Cheung, the first prisoner, and Lee Sing, the second prisoner, all taken yesterday. M. Dick's presence will be required to identify the letter.