can take cognizance of a piracy
committed in Chinese waters,
In obedience to your
Commands we have taken these
papers into consideration, and have the honour to Report
That
of opinion that the Courts of Hong Kong may take cognizance
Piracies committed by British Subjects, (including within that term actual residents within the Colony) in such Chinese Waters, as, according to the cases cited by the Colonial
Attorney General,
within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty. (e.g.
12 and 13. Vic. c.
e.g.
2). But the
Queen's Courts have no jurisdiction to try foreigners non-resident within the Queen's dominions, and therefore
owing to not owe temporary Allegiance except for jure gentium - and: in order to constitute this crime, the murder or
robbery must have been committed on the High Seas.
We have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servants
Rundell Palmer
J. T. Coleridge