Christian year
One thousand eight hundred and Seventy and made and entered into at Hongshing aforesaid by and between Lai How and Ng Woh therein described as mandarins, ambassadors, and agents of the Defendants for and on behalf of the Defendant and the plaintiff after reciting that the plaintiff was the owner of the Russian Steam Ship Commodore then in the Harbour of Victoria and that the said Lai How and Ng Woh on behalf of the Defendant had contracted with the Plaintiff for the purchase thereof with certain additions, alterations, and repairs therein mentioned for the agreed price of Sixty-six thousand Dollars it was stipulated that upon the said alterations, repairs, and additions being made and upon the said vessel being supplied with the armament therein mentioned the defendant or the said Lai How and Ng Woh on the said Defendant's behalf would pay to the plaintiff on delivery of the said vessel the said sum of Sixty-six thousand Dollars either at Jouron or Hong Kong aforesaid and either in Mexican Dollars or Sycee Silver.
4. In pursuance of the said agreement the plaintiff caused the said ship to be added to, altered and equipped and the same was delivered to and accepted by the Defendant accordingly.
5. The Defendant has not paid the price for the same or any part thereof and the Plaintiff has for a long time past been unsuccessfully endeavouring to obtain the said payment.
6. The said Lai How and Ng Woh although described in the said agreement as "ambassadors" were not at the time of making the said agreement Ambassadors, Ministers, or envoys duly accredited to any Sovereign State in the ordinary diplomatic acceptation of the said terms nor were they entitled to hold or exercise the powers or to claim the privilege and exemptions incident to persons holding such rank or position.
7. At or about the time of or shortly after the delivery to and acceptance by the Defendant of the said ship...