& 11620/50
342
Doctorsommere August 4. 18572
My Lord,
We are honored with your Lordship's commands.
Plerify
Figriified in M. Hammond's letter of duty 8. Llating that he was directed to transmit a despatch (No. 157. / from No. 8814 in folio inclosing a copy of a Report from the Att. General of Hongkong in answer to a reference made to him as to the legal powers held by Hm Plenry for corticting the exportation of ammunition & Military stores when intended for piratical purposes;
& to request that he would later lay Sir. Bowring's despatch & its inclosure before the Ld Commissioners for their consideration thereupon.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands the undersigned have taken this subject into consideration & have the honor, to report -
We think there are
doubts
That as the Indt prevents Statutes, so sufficient Legal Power vested in Her Majesty's Representative in China, to enable him to restrict the exportation of Ammunition & military stores, although intended for piratical purposes.
Some
he laid down by the Law officers & the Attorney General's
ordinance
might