On the whole therefore I feel reason to be satisfied with the prospect opening in reference to Mr Cardwell's second inquiry. Though I have not yet felt the line arrived; for dealing with the subject matter of his third inquiry as to seizure anus 1° to an board of multirunsid Justs.
Explanations however on that head will be found in my previous Despatch No. M: 46 and its enclosures.
29th May 1860.
The correspondence last alluded to explains also the chance of obtaining assistance from the Chinese Government in carrying out any general suppression of Piracy.
In reference to Mr Cardwell's fifth inquiry as to whether Piracy is encouraged by any difficulty in obtaining convictions at Hongkong, I do not believe that at present any such difficulty exists, but whether that allegation be true or not, I certainly think great advantages would follow the establishment of a special Court for the trial of all such cases.
Accordingly I have proposed and passed in Council an Ordinance framed to effect that object, and it is being transmitted by this Mail.
Lastly in reference to Mr Cardwell's request that I should report on placing a Gunboat at the disposal of this Government on certain conditions. Your Lordships will observe that I have caused the Estimates for provision to be made on...