I may add that if the Governor of Macao thinks he has a claim on this Government under the second paragraph of article 16, it is for him, I apprehend, to direct our attention to the circumstances under which it arises.
I think it unnecessary to consider the question of how far auxiliary legislative measures are necessary to give validity to a Treaty—a question upon which Jurists differ much, as I do not think it arises in the present instance.
I had written a considerable part of the above when I received from the Acting Colonial Secretary Captain Albuquerque's letter. The matter contained in it does not affect my opinion above expressed. Of course, we must discharge from the service of this Government any persons who shall be shown to have been deserters from the Garrison at Macao, but further than this I think we cannot go.
(Signed) Henry John Bull,
Acting Attorney-General
July 27, 1867.