Government Offices, Victoria, Hongkong, 20th January, 1860.
I have the honor to acquaint your Excellency that a Chinese named Shum A King and his shopmen are in custody here on a charge of kidnapping 45 persons who, with the exception of the informant, one of their number who escaped, are...
...the 2 Chinese implicated, and wishes this step to be taken unless there be some objection which does not appear on the face of your Communication.
I have, &c.,
[signed] W. T. Mercer
Colonial Secretary.
True Copy
Colonial Secretary
(Copy) No. 33.
His Excellency Governor Guimarães, &c. &c. &c., Macao.