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of England. But the island of Hongkong, on the contrary, when annexed to the British Empire in 1843, was merely a barren rock, uninhabited save by a handful of fishermen and pirates.
The Chinese merchants and others who have since voluntarily sought protection of the English flag, are not, with few exceptions, native-born, or naturalized British subjects, permanent residents in this dependency.
The Chinese, like the English and other Europeans, come here for a time, to make money, hoping to return ultimately to their native homes.
They must be taught, as I recently, with all courtesy, informed an influential deputation of the Chinese community, that if they deliberately choose for their own purposes, to dwell on British territory, they must, while entitled to the protection of the English laws, learn to obey those laws.
I have the honour to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant,
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