State for Foreign Affairs will probably consider whether rules could be established in concert with the French Government for dealing in future with Smuggling cases.
As regards the giving of Bail the Consular officer, Kimberley would observe that in the case of the "Aox" an application to give Bail was first made in behalf of that vessel, and that it was only after such undertaking was withdrawn that the warrant was applied for and issued out of the Vice-Admiralty Court in the Colony.
I am also to transmit a copy of a despatch which I have received from Lord Kimberley, proposing, with Lord Granville's concurrence, to address to the Governor, regarding which Lord Granville will observe that notice had been given, as contained in the Note Verbale enclosed in the French Ambassador's letter of the 16th July, of the action of the Governor of Hong Kong.
In this matter of the "Aox" and it has been less prompt and efficacious than might have been expected. Lord Kimberley does not, however, doubt that the French Government is under a misapprehension on this point, which he trusts will be considered to have been sufficiently disposed of by Lord Granville's letter of the 25th July.
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1818.