The Legislative Council-would be pleased to assist him at the hearing of the case: if any thing were wanted to shew that he was very far from being actuated by a "determination not to give effect to the law," surely this should suffice. On both of the occasions in question the Bench specially and repeatedly urged the Plaintiff to remove the case by writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court, not because any doubt was entertained of the justice or legality of their decision, but because it was of the greatest consequence that the construction of an ordinance affecting interests of great magnitude, and so ambiguous in its terms, should at once be settled by the highest judicial authority of the colony. Considering that the Plaintiff on both occasions was representing the interests of the Crown, it is our humble opinion that the course recommended by the Bench of Justices would have been not only more correct but more just and dignified than that which His Excellency has seen fit to pursue.
It further came under the notice of the meeting that upon both occasions the Bench specially and repeatedly urged the Plaintiff to remove the case by writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court...
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(Signed) SAM GRAY, Chairman of the Meeting of Justices of the Peace on the 25th instant.
J. JARDINE. A. C. MACLEAN. C. F. STILL JOHN SCARTH. ROBT. S. WALKER. J. RICKETT. JOHN D. GIBB.
HONGKONG, 27th August, 1856-Having been unavoidably absent from the meeting of the Justices of the Peace on the 25th instant, the Justices present at that meeting have submitted to me for consideration the foregoing letter, and I hereby signify my full concurrence with and approval of the views, opinions, and resolutions which it expresses.
(Signed) ANGUS FLETCHER. J.P.
COUNCIL ROOM, VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 14 September, 1856.
GENTLEMEN,-Your letters of the 26th ultimo were communicated to the Governor, and by him laid before the Executive Council, whose Honorable members concurred in the reply which I am instructed to convey. His Excellency utterly disclaims any intention by his memorandum of casting "a slur upon the character" of the un-official Magistrates, of accusing them of "evil intentions"-or what is tantamount to a charge of deliberate perversion of Justice, and violation of their oaths of office"--nor does he think his language fairly susceptible of such interpretation.
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(Signed) L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Clerk of Council.
To SAM GRAY, Esq., J. JARDINE, Esq., A. C. MACLEAN, Esq., C. F. STILL, Esq., JOHN SCARTH, Esq., ROBT. S. WALKER, Esq., J. RICKETT, Esq., JOHN D. GIBB, Esq., ANGUS FLETCHER, Esq.,
HONGKONG, 23d September, 1856.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY of Hongkong, Victoria.
SIR,-We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the letter, dated the 1st instant, addressed to us by the Clerk of Councils, in reply to our two separate communications of the 26th ultimo.
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(Signed) SAM GRAY, Chairman, A. C. MACLEAN, C. F. STILL, R. S. WALKER, J. RICKETT, R. C. ANTROBUS, J. JARDINE, GEO. LYALL, J. SCARTH, W. LAMOND, J. D. GIBB. T. C. LESLIE,
COUNCIL ROOM, VICTORIA, HONGKONG, 25th September, 1856.
GENTLEMEN,I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 23d instant, to the address of The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, and to state that it has been laid before His Excellency The Governor in Executive Council.
(Signed) J. L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, for Clerk of Councils.
To SAM GRAY, Esq., ANGUS FLETCHER, Esq., J. JARDINE, Esq., A. C. MACLEAN, Esq., GEO. LYALL, Esq., C. F. STILL, Esq., ROBT. S. WALKER, Esq., WM. LAMOND, Esq., JOHN RICKETT, Esq., JOHN D. GIBB, Esq., R. C. ANTROBUS, Esq., THOS. C. LESLIE, Esq.