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offenders, but to prevent escape seaward, should be made and this facilitate the capture of the guilty in order that if guilty - punished; and every and every effort to apprehend the pirates who escaped the pursuit of Lieutenant Walker on the above occasion, four only - undergoing in Bermuda fifteen years penal servitude - having been captured, several of them can be identified and their dwellings are known to Lieutenant Walker.
Whether or not to fire upon any person flying from pursuit, otherwise, merely upon the suggestion or even strong entreaty of the General or other officers, nor under any circumstances which do not render it absolutely necessary - the chief purpose of employing the Gunboats being, not to punish supposed or alleged offenders, but to prevent escape seaward, and to facilitate their being brought to trial, by the Chinese themselves.
The purport of these Instructions to the Chinese General will be explained to you, who will accompany you, and you are to show them to the Consular Interpreter, whom together with the Government Pilot you will take with you.
I have to,
(Signed) M.S. Nolloth
Captain and Senior Officer