103
No. 117,
JOHN BOWRING.
PROCLAMATION.
By His Excellency SIR JOHN BOWRING, Knight, LL.D., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China.
Whereas it has been brought to the notice of His Excellency The Governor that Sales of Gunpowder have been recently made here to persons acting on behalf of a Chinese Force at Canton under the Command of YEH, the Imperial Commissioner, who have committed acts of hostility in breach of Treaties against Her Majesty's Subjects there, and are now engaged in open conflict with Her Majesty's forces; and whereas it is necessary at once to prohibit and prevent such sales:
It is hereby notified, that the operation of Clause 5 of Ordinance No. 1 of 1855 (now in force under Ordinance No. 1 of 1856) shall be and the same is suspended from this date; and no Permit for the Sale of Arms or Ammunition will be issued till further notice.
The exception as to European Gunpowder in quantities under Five Pounds will still have effect.
And it is further notified, that with the exception last above mentioned, any persons contravening this Proclamation, will, over and above the Penalties contained in Section 5 of the said Ordinance, incur the danger of the pains and penalties due to their Misdemeanor at the Common Law.
By His Excellency's Command,
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
Given at Victoria, Hongkong, this 5th Day of November, 1856.
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.