Lacs officers of the Crown, have to convey to you observations on the subject, and instructions to those deputies on the case. The circumstances may be stated briefly as follows:
On the 23rd of August, A Seaman, Ph. Hammond, Her Majesty's board the American Ship "Condeer, Capt. Nicholls, then in the port of Hong Kong, applied for employment in the Police Service at that place. In exchange, he was to be admitted thereon board an American ship. Upon this, he was informed that his application could not be entertained till he had obtained his discharge. He represented that he could return to the ship to procure it, as he had been subjected to cruelty and severe ill-usage.
He was advised, nevertheless, to return to his duty, and encouraged to hope that, if he did so, he would not undergo further personal ill-treatment.
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