I trust I may be excused for bringing this to your Lordship's notice with a view to Mr. Mercer's conduct in the matter being placed in its proper light.
I was acting as Secretary to the Colonial Government at the time, and therefore in a position to testify to Mr. Mercer's desire to do that which was proper.
I am able to state that the Chinese in question was not given up on a charge of piracy, which would not have been justifiable, but on one of having committed robbery within Chinese Territory, he being a Chinese subject, and the Governor had no option but to surrender him under Article 21 of the Treaty of Tientsin.
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