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Authorities will not consent to modify that part of the Criminal Code which requires confession of the prisoner previous to finding him guilty. If such relaxation be thought impracticable in all cases, I would never the less suggest to your Lordship that it is desirable to ascertain whether such a view to preventing a failure of Justice and enabling the law to take its proper course than that of one of the characters in what is almost rendered unmeaning formalities, it may.
Any erroneous idea should prevail that British influence is exerted to shield notorious Criminals. I am confident that such contrary impression would be as far from the real views and intention of Her Majesty's Government as to be able to convince the Imperial Authorities that the modification of their usual practice is only sought with the purpose of facilitating the administration of Justice.
12. It may be possible to obtain a modification of Chinese practice at least in the case of persons surrendered under the Treaty of Peking.
It is very undesirable that there should be a failure of Justice. In any case, this application will enable Your Excellency to obtain information as to the true intent of the principle requiring previous confession of Criminals, and will warrant...