In obedience to Your Lordships' Command, I have taken this case into consideration, and have the honour to Report,
That the fact of the anchorage of the "Wyoming" being nearer to the Chinese shore than to the British shore, raises a question of some difficulty and embarrassment to the application of the general rule of International Law.
Forming my opinion upon the Papers, as well as upon the statements which accompany them, I do not advise Her Majesty's Govt to insist, as a matter of strict right, that the place of anchorage adopted by the "Wyoming" is within those waters over which the jurisdiction of Her Majesty in its relation to Vessels of Foreign Independent States, extends.
In the event of a similar case occurring again; and to request that I would take these Papers into consideration, with reference to the rules of neutrality issued by H. Ms Govt, and furnish Your Lordship with my opinion as to the answer which should be returned to the Govt of Hong Kong.
On the 31st Jany. 1862,
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Your Lordship,
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