N. 905.
Colonial Secretary's Office
Victoria, Hongkong
6th December 1851
Gentlemen,
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of both your letters, and to remove all grounds of further misapprehension, I am to state that the Circular was not promulgated in any capacity, that it was withdrawn from circulation before it reached the Government, that it was withdrawn by the Acting Chief Magistrate.
One Justice of the Peace who felt himself aggrieved by it, forwarded it to the Colonial Secretary under cover, with a complaint against the Acting Chief Magistrate.
The Circular, then, this official document, was under His Excellency's direction transmitted to the Acting Chief Magistrate, who was informed of the complaint, and called on for an explanation by Lyall Esq. R. C. Antrobus Esq. and B. Gray Esq.
As to His Excellency requiring such explanation, His Excellency does not consider himself compelled to lay before you the motives in directing any point of Government discipline.
But with reference to your letter of the 1st instant regarding only the arrest of Mr. Ansley, Justice of the Peace, I am to repeat that such arrest was made by Mr. Lyall, and, as I have already stated, I have no doubt that Gentleman will fully furnish you with his reasons on application made to him.
I have the honor to be:
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) M. T. Mercer
Colonial Secretary