On the committal of the person
of the Governor referred the depositions to the Attorney General who acted upon and the British Consul at Swatow duly notified.
Thereupon the Consul raised some former points as regards previous prisoners and their being, as he regards certain, tortured in style. This rendered it necessary for references to be made to Her Majesty's Government and to Peking.
The Governor's letter to Sir Thomas Wade was in April last. Under instructions from Lord Kimberley the Governor informed the Consul some months ago of the conditions on which they were to be given up.
The Consul desired to await Sir J. Wade's decision.
Sir T. Wade has not yet written to the Governor, as far as we know. Possibly because the question is still under the reconsideration of the two Governments, but certainly not owing to unnecessary delay on the part of the Government. These men are still in prison in spite of the Governor's repeated letters to Sir T. Wade, and there is justice in the Governor's return to Hongkong. He has again written to the British Minister, and His Excellency is anxiously in expectation of hearing now.