some distance of Hong Kong, I now transmit to Your Grace a copy of a letter which I have received from Sir Rutherford Alcock, which more especially bears upon what I considered the most important point, viz. the probability of including the Lamma Island within our jurisdiction.
Those Sir Rutherford's despatch is accompanied by a Memorandum drawn up by Sir Edmund Hornby. I also transmit my reply to the British Minister's Despatch.
I have not had an opportunity of ascertaining the soundness of Sir Rutherford's Opinion. It is clear, however, that he was convinced of the "utter hopelessness of any attempt to obtain by negotiation the cession of the barren rock in the Chinese Seas," and that consequently, it would be most unwise to commence negotiations towards inducing the Chinese Government to grant jurisdiction for this Government over the Lamma Island, as it would without doubt fail.
From the position, however, Sir Rutherford Alcock ...