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forming the subject of some representations to the Majesty's Government, requests instructions on Grounds, a this, and on general to whether the King of Annam is to be considered an independent Sovereign, this question having been left undecided by the Supreme Court of Hongkong by which judgment was given in this case.
In reply to the Earl of Carnarvon's inquiry as to the instructions which should be returned to the Governor of that Lord Derby is unable to return an authoritative answer.
In the despatch from the Governor of the Straits Settlements, inclosed in Your letter of the 20th of March last, with reference to the treaty of Commerce lately concluded between France and Annam, attention was called to the fact, alleged, that the Kingdom of Annam is not an independent State, but a dependency of the Empire of China, and that the recent treaties between France and Annam would be null and void without the ratification of the Emperor of China.
M. Wade, Her Majesty's Minister at Pekin was informed that Hongkong had raised this point. I am to request that You will make this known to His Lordship.