L. 6
7. Migrants were departed to Canton in the usual course, as their term of imprisonment had expired, and it was not thought advisable to turn them loose in the Street and cause a disturbance in Hong Kong. Owing to an unforeseen circumstance the journey took longer than what had been anticipated, and those of the deported were found to be much exhausted, and suffering severely from sickness on their arrival. I have already informed your Excellency in my Despatch, No. 160 of 23rd November, 1866, of a practice prevalent among the Prisoners in the Gaol of producing sores on their legs to prevent their being sent to work on the public roads. Some of those to whom I am now referring were of this number, and I learnt from Consul Robertson that on their arrival in Canton the men were suffering for the same reason.
So much necessitating medical treatment before being handed over to the Canton authorities. This statement, I have every reason to suppose, arose from the lengthened detention on the Hulk or Harbour-boat, and the unexpected privations which they underwent.
The expense, however, attendant on the entire ...