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2.
In 1800 I brought this subject under the notice of Sir H. Robinson to Duke of Newcastle, 1.29 of 19th March, Duke of Newcastle, pointing out that the mode of procedure in the Vice-Admiralty Court prescribed by the 13 and 14 Vic. Cap. 26, was quite unsuitable to the great majority of cases of piratical capture in China, the value of the property taken rarely amounting to the costs of proceedings in even uncontested cases: and I accordingly urged that for such cases a cheap and summary jurisdiction should be provided if necessary by Imperial legislation.
Mr Fortescue to Sir H. Robinson 3.
In reply I was directed by the Secretary of State to prepare in conjunction with my Law Officer, and to forward for the consideration of Her Majesty in Council, the draft of additional rules and regulations and a table of fees with a view of enabling the Vice Admiralty Court in this Colony to dispose in a summary and inexpensive manner of small piratical cases.
Sir H. Robinson to Duke of Newcastle
This I did early in 1861, and since that time I have sent N.237 25th Feby 1861.. nothing further report on the subject, and within the last few days my