(Copy)
Sir,
243
Attorney General's Office, Hongkong 18th February 1857.
I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of yesterday, enclosing your two letters of that date, and the Sheriff's note to yourself of the same; - which last I now return to you.
It is no longer competent to His Excellency's Government to retain in possession Ablum's houses and the effects found therein.
The Honble W. J. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary.
38