? from the Colony without a license from The Governor. 2 Before instructing the Governor of H. Kong to submit, the suggestion of the Commissioners was asked in accordance with the opinion of the late Earl of Clarendon, then at the State for Foreign Affairs. The hand of your Department was asked on the matter, and Clarendon in the answer which he caused to be returned expresses the opinion that "Chinese Emigration should not be allowed to take place from Hong Kong except when the protection of H.M. Govt. can follow the Emigrants throughout their whole servitude" and further, "that this object can only be effectually secured by prohibiting the departure of Emigrants from Hong Kong in any other than British Vessels and to places within the Dominions of the Queen" 3 The Govt. of the Colony was instructed to pass an ordinance which was to prohibit the conveyance, with the exception of free emigrants, to foreign vessels, and in March 1870, the draft was framed and amended.
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