Hongkong yesterday-
"I come therefore submit to your Excellency if it would not be advisable to issue a notification of some kind to the inhabitants, stating under what Authority the troops are placed there, and under what jurisdiction.
As this measure is only taken for the convenience of the service in encamping troops for whom there is no convenient space at Hongkong, I would suggest that the only law applicable will be Martial law, as would be the case with any body of Her Majesty's troops serving out of Her Majesty's dominions.
As the troops might be withdrawn at any time, I would suggest that no Settlers be allowed to locate themselves there from Hongkong or other European Settlements; and should Your Excellency approve of this, I will issue orders to the Commanding Officer to that effect.
"I have to,
(Signed) J. Hope Grant, Lieutenant General Commander-in-Chief
(Innerly) Colonial Secretary