Piracy
Sir Frederic Rogers is also pleased to enclose a copy of correspondence with the Board of Admiralty to whom the despatch referred in draft, and to state that in considering this Law it is to be remembered that the Piracy of the China seas has assumed such alarming proportions as to justify repression to which under ordinary circumstances it would be inadvisable to resort.
That it is alleged that Hong Kong is a centre of operations for the piratical associations, the absolute freedom of the Port and the large Chinese population rendering it possible for the pirates to resort thither as to a Head Quarter for the purchase of Arms and stores and for receiving information and instructions from the persons who direct their movements.
That it has also been alleged that the alleged procedure of the Supreme Court rendered it extremely difficult to obtain the conviction of pirates.
That the Governor says this is not "at present" the case. But that he is not the less desirous of establishing a special Piracy Court, the composition of which...