A letter from the Governor of Macao, which gives briefly the same interesting details as to the Portuguese Law on that subject. I had thought it desirable, as the Portuguese Community here had petitioned for an alteration in the laws of Hong Kong, to ascertain from the best authority what their law on the same subject is in the neighboring Colony of Macao. It appears from Governor de Souza's reply that in principle it is almost identical with English Law as interpreted by Mr. Pauncefote, and if his interpretation of it be correct, it is probable there is no need of any change. It is already equally liberal, and gives effectual remedies as Portuguese Law to a party libelled, with the great additional safeguards of publicity in proceedings and the verdict of a Jury.
In the case which gave rise to the Petition of the Portuguese Community, because Mr. Smale considered it not triable here, a civil action was actually tried yesterday and resulted in a verdict of a Special Jury in favor of the Plaintiff with $5,000 damages. The Jury added an expression of opinion that the Plaintiff was entitled to general sympathy as having been subjected to an unjust and malicious charge.