Clarendon conceives that the first point to be considered in dealing with this question is the rationality of persons of Chinese origin emigrating from Hongkong: British subjects, Lord Clarendon apprehends that the right of Emigration cannot be withheld from them, if, in other respects, the general conditions of the Chinese Passenger Act are complied with:
if they are subjects of China brought into the Colony in transit for the purpose of being thence sent as Emigrants to Peru, Lord Clarendon considers that, looking to the atrocities committed by Chinese crimps in procuring Emigrants in the Chinese Dominions and also to the reports which have been received of the treatment of Chinese Emigrants in foreign Countries, and in Peru more particularly.
Her Majesty's Government ought not to facilitate their emigration by allowing Hongkong to be used by the parties concerned as a depot for Chinese emigrants.
It appears to Lord Clarendon that the Emigration Commissioners have justly come to the conclusion that Chinese Emigration should not be allowed to take place from Hongkong except when the protection of Her Majesty's Government can follow the Emigrants throughout their whole servitude, and Lord Clarendon apprehends that this can only be effectually secured by prohibiting the departure from Hongkong of Chinese Subjects as emigrants in British Vessels and to the dominions of any other than the Crown.
Countries not within the Crown.