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him on his trial for Conspiracy, and he will, therefore, be discharged from custody.
The solution of the matter thus arrived at is satisfactory in every way, as it became evident the Committal of this man would, rightly or wrongly, be looked upon by the High Chinese Authorities as a grave cause for complaint, their argument being that he was an Officer of the Chinese Government sent on a rendition case in accordance with a Treaty right, and therefore under the protection of his Government, who alone was competent to punish him for any misdeeds - a not at all unreasonable view, I submit, and one which they would certainly have raised a question.
It is for the future I have now some apprehension. Any rendition matter involving an officer sent on a case who fails in proving his case may be subject to indictment for conspiracy and to jeopardise our amicable relations, as in the late casc. I do not presume to suggest any remedy for this, but it is obviously a matter for consideration how far action under the Treaties with China affects the Governor of the Colony, the exercise of his political functions in ...