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direct communication with the Chinese Authorities at Kowloon, with a view to the pursuit and capture, in Chinese Territory, by the Police of Hong Kong, of criminals when they escape to the mainland; and in which Despatch the Governor of Hong Kong, expressed a desire to receive instructions from Her Majesty's Government on the two points of Law adverted to in S.S. 11 and 12.
I am now to acquaint you, for the information of Earl Granville that Lord Clarendon caused your above-mentioned letter and the whole correspondence upon this question to be referred to the Proper Law Officers of The Crown; and I have stated to His Lordship that, as regards the first point of Law raised by Sir R. Macdonnell, they are not aware of any existing Treaty engagement between Great Britain and China which would entitle a British Authority to arrest
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