Mr Acting Consul Winchester has not stated correctly the facts which are as follows:-
In the 18th May 1859 Manton (with 2 of his officers) was tried and sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars. He was on conviction recommended to mercy by the Jury. This recommendation was duly pleaded before the Government, and to support it were produced (1) a petition from the Prisoner himself, accompanied by a Statement of the occurrence of 21st (2) a petition from all the American Mercantile Firms, 9 in number, carrying on business in Swatow, (3) a petition signed by 33 American Ship Masters, an American Storekeeper and a British marine Surveyor, (4) a petition from 10 British Ship Masters and (5) a declaration bearing on the case from the warden of Victoria Gaol.
The acting Governor laid all these papers before the Executive Council and the result is given in the Colonial Secretary's letter to the Governor