For our Conveniencer, Mr Hammond was pleased to return to us the previous Correspondence on this matter, as marked in the margin; and requested that we would take the papers into our Consideration and favour Your Lordship with any observations we might have to offer in regard to the Governor of Hong Kong's proposed ordinance.
In obedience to your Lordship's Commands, we have taken these papers into our Consideration, and have the honour to report.
That with regard to the points on which Mr Mousell has asked for the opinion of the Foreign Office,
1. That there is no reason which occurs to us why British Subjects should be excluded from the operation of the Ordinance...
2. That military deserters may very properly be included within its scope.
3. That Persons accused of the Crime of Piracy jure gentium may likewise be properly included within its scope.
4. That no reason occurs to us why the sanction of the Consular Authorities should be asked for before criminal fugitives of other Countries besides China are surrendered to the Govt of Macao; they are persons who by the supposition have rendered themselves amenable...
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