£ Idrmance 14th. 1945 - Virg. Many Reperintendent
"or Inspector belonging
to the Police Force shall have Power by Virtue of his office to interfere
at all times, with such Constables as he
shall think necessary, as well by Night as by day, into and upon Ships, Boats, or other vessels lying in Harbour or Waters aforesaid, and into every Part of such Ships, Boats, or other vessels, and of Inspecting and examining the Conduct of any Constable who
may be stationed on Board of any such Ship, Boat, or other vessel, and of Inspecting and examining the Conduct of all other Persons who shall be employed therein, as the Case may be, and for the purpose of taking all such Measures as may be necessary for providing against Fire or other Accidents, and preserving Peace and good order on Board of any such Ship, Boat, or other vessel, and for the Prevention or Detection of any Felonies or Misdemeanors.
At daybreak of the 29th October 1866, I went with 345 other police boats, the Constables carrying their arms with them; and after some trouble found the "Fotland" lying outside all other vessels close to the shore of Stone Cutters Island. Ordering the other boats to keep off some distance from the vessel, I rowed alongside, and Boarded her, taking one man with me at the Gangway. I saw the Captain and told him that I had been informed that some of the Coolies on board were unwilling to proceed to their destination. He sent one of his Officers with me, and we then went to the Coolies and asked them in different parts of the Ship the simple question in Chinese "Are you willing or not willing to go to another Country?"
The answers being all in the affirmative, although in some cases given hesitatingly, in which Cases I generally added "If you do not wish to go, you are not forced." I communicated the result to the Captain and left the ship; from which time I had no more...