decapitation, the victim being on his knees facing a wall; I think the tale of the city, the instrument being a heavy long knife rather than a handled one) of which a single blow is sufficient - The execution being in good practice.
I gather from this that the horrible "Flowery Knife" is a refinement of cruelty applicable to specially heinous crimes, in this case the murder of their family.
Men Conviction of crimes see this Coroner's letter of 11 April 1881.
I suppose we can only wait for the further despatch.
JB137
Yes.
K July 18
10051
12476/
Foreign Office, July 12, 1881
147
With reference to your letter of the 30th ultimo, inclosing copy of a despatch addressed by Her Majesty's Minister at Peking to The Governor of Hong Kong, relative to the proposed extradition of certain Chinese Fugitives, I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit the same to Her Majesty's Secretary of State.
Under Secretary of State (China)