by delivering them up, the prestige of the British Government will suffer much. In Europe they cannot form very just idea of the corruptions and injustices going on in China, and we earnestly beg of Your Excellency the favour of inviting the Government at home to reconsider the matter. The case of these poor men has not been heard yet. They have been accused of taking part in a murder, but their defence has not been heard. If their case is plainly represented at home we trust the Right Honourable Secretary of State for the Colonies will change his opinion.
I have … 27 John Raimondi, Bishop of Acantho and Vicar Apostolic of Hong Kong.
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Sub. Enclosure 7 The Honourable The Colonial Secretary (S. H. Marsh, CMG) to the Right Rev. Bishop Raimondi.
Colonial Secretary's Office Hong Kong 21 December 1883.
My Lord,
I am directed by the Governor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 18th instant on the subject of certain Chinese prisoners whose extradition has been demanded by the Chinese Government: – Your Lordship states that these men are innocent; that you know them to be innocent; and that they
The Right Reverend Bishop Raimondi