to the Chinese Government of pirates captured beyond jurisdiction of the Colony
any objection.
the
open to any
is
In obedience to the commands contained in Sir Frederic Roger's letter, we have taken this matter into consideration, and have the honor to Report
on general
qual
That we entertain serious doubts as to the propriety and expediency of this Ordinance, and with respect both to the principle involved in it, and to the actual state of the engagements subsisting between this Country and China, on the subject of Extradition, and the questions which have arisen out of those Engagements.
With respect, first, to the general principle. Piracy, wheresoever and by whomsoever committed (unless within the proper territorial jurisdiction of a Foreign country), is an offence justiciable by British law and before British Courts: and it is by virtue alone of this general authority belonging to all nations to deal with Piracy, that officers of Her Majesty's Navy are justified in bringing Chinese pirates, in the manner contemplated by the Preamble of this Ordinance, within the jurisdiction of the Supreme