Pak-chow village in the Poon-que district charged with embezzlement - no Chinese characters were given for his name.
I handed the letter to Interpreter Carroll, making enquiries, remarking on the absence of the Chinese characters, and I distinctly remember his returning with it to me and saying that without the characters he could do nothing. Accordingly, on the 2nd January 1865, two days after receiving the despatch, I wrote to Mr. Mercer for them, stating that I omitted the man's name and inserted that of his village only, which was an error.
But in the 6th of the same month, I received a reply sending the information required.
I did not get this despatch until the evening of the 7th, and on the following day, the 8th, I sent in the application to the Viceroy, and got an immediate answer.
I received a reply, a copy translation of which I have the honour to inclose, but not feeling satisfied with the contents, I went to see the Viceroy and had a long conversation with him on the subject of arresting Chinese subjects on the requisition of the Foreign authorities and giving them up for trial.
The Viceroy was very firm upon the point and said it was unprovided for by the treaty and contrary to the Land Regulations, and he should incur grave responsibility by giving in. I pointed out to him that the surrender of such men to the authorities at the place where their crimes were committed and where the evidence against them existed would further the ends of justice, and at all events, I said if this is the view you take, let the man be arrested, lest he should escape.