(See / Ortolans Difilomatie de la Mer 141) and although it may be urged
was written by Selden
that this passage
m
in support of his unsuccessful argument in favor of the right of a
Nation to exclusive Dominion and
Property in large Seas,
Chillimore's International Law
(Vol.
ps. 200)
yet
it is
stated on the Authority
of Briffendorf that in the case of Straits, if the shores belong to several Nations
amongst
the dominion is distributed among
them upon
the same principle
as if the several Proprietors of the
Banks of a River: "Eorum imperio,
pro latitudine terrarum, ad medium
usque ejusdem pertinere intelligentur."
The
question
is not only
difficult but of great
practical
importance to the Colony,
it will be very satisfactory
and it is
to have the
opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in England upon it.
(Signed) Julian Pauncefote,
Attorney General
Hong Kong 11 October 1866.
(True Copy)
Colonial Secretary.