revising the provisions of the Treaties in this respect, and placing them upon a more satisfactory basis more in accordance with the feelings of humanity, as to have suggested the question, whether even the clearest requirements of the Treaties, when they might involve the consequence of punishing the crime of piracy with death by cutting to pieces (a mode of capital punishment opposed to our feelings of humanity), ought to be complied with. It seems extraordinary that legislation of this kind should be now proposed, especially if we are right in believing that the latest advices from Pekin hold out no prospect of any mitigation, either of the letter or of the practical administration of Chinese law in this respect.
It would, no doubt, be altogether within the discretion of the Governor of Hong Kong to grant or refuse rendition of any pirates to the Chinese authorities; and we take it for granted that the Governor would, in no case, whatever, order any such "rendition" without first receiving a positive assurance that the barbarous mode of punishment above referred to should not be inflicted. His Excellency would...
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