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from a letter received from Sir Harry Parkes, Dr. Hance says: in order to secure the safety of the prisoner, which is a very important consideration, it might be more convenient that the Governor of Macao should send "him direct to Hongkong, in preference (he continues), to his being handed over direct to the Consul. Dr. Hance finally requested that I would cause the matter to be laid before the proper legal authority, to ascertain the possibility of carrying out the views of Sir Harry Parkes.
2.
by
This letter was referred to the Attorney-General, who stated his opinion in the following terms :- "The Government has no authority to interfere in this matter, which appears at present to be one between the Consular and Portuguese authorities. I presume that the reason why the removal of this Portuguese from the custody of the authorities at Macao is desired is that he ought not to have been allowed to get into it. When the Consul had him in his hands