Consulate at Bangkok is a Post Office within the meaning of the act — that the vessel was within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty while at Bangkok; and that the Supreme Court at Hongkong would have jurisdiction to try the offence as one committed within admiralty jurisdiction; but that the whole matter hinges on the definition of Post Letter i.e. sent under the authority of The Postmaster General (of England). I consider that local mails transmitted from Hongkong to Bangkok cannot in any sense be said to be under the authority of the Postmaster General. They are regulated altogether by the local Ordinance 8 of 1862, and are not within the terms of the Post Office Acts. Consequently the Master of the "Cheviot" has not committed an offence against Imperial Law.
In the Jaiwan case ... that the master of the steamer did not, for the same reason, commit any offence in wilfully belaying to deliver his letters.
That he did not commit a breach of the law in refusing to take a mail at Taiwan for the reason given in the Foochow case.
In the case of the "Glaucus" and of the "Sarpedon" that the masters have not committed any offence against Imperial Law for the above reasons.
That a master of a vessel ...
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