the
and the Governors of Hong Kong on subject, and "father that the Admiral is opposed to the occupation, unless absolutely necessary for the accommodation of the Troops, which I cannot present deem it to be. As the Governor, I proposed that it should be taken on lease in perpetuity from the Chinese Government, which Mr. C. Pakington informed me he thought might be effected at a nominal rate and without much difficulty, owing to the favourable feeling at present existing towards the British Authorities, but to this His Excellency the Governor would not assent, considering that his object, complete jurisdiction, would not be met by a leasehold from the Chinese Government." It remains for me to view how it could best be done by myself,
Authority on the 2nd
as the
Military
Encamp.
if here temporary occupation as an encampment for Troops, would not, I apprehend, meet Your Excellency's views and would very probably involve us in difficulties with the people, inasmuch as an Encampment there would induce many of the European residents of Hong Kong and parties from the ships in harbour to cross over for picnics or amusements, some of whom might, as is too often the case with our countrymen,
Cause annoyance & injury, to the Chinese inhabitants and over whom, the Officer Commanding a Military detachment would have to control.
Next, Should Military possession be taken of the Peninsula, a notification, I presume, be issued from either Your Excellency as British Minister, or myself as Military Commander, stating under what authority and jurisdiction it is to be placed - Martial Law being the only one under which the Military could undertake it. Therefore, the question arises, without being a state of War, Could the same be declared? Take for instance the case of an American or even Englishman committing a murder or injuring Chinaman, or in any way contravening the Military Rules established, Could that man be punished by the Military? would the Law allow us to exercise such a right having declared Martial Law on insufficient or doubtful ground? Again, will not our occupation be the cause of innumerable speculators from Hongkong rushing in, if only to have a sight and claim compensation from the British Government should it be ceded?
Having laid the above before Your Excellency, I beg to subjoin Copy CB
of a letter I have addressed to Mr. C. Pakington but which has since been considerably modified in conversation, that Gentleman being fully empowered