If they were really so guilty of these crimes, would not they have been arrested long ago?
Lastly, in presence of the report of the Committing Magistrate who states that he remanded the accused to Gaol on the grounds that it was his duty, however slight a prima facie case had been made out against the accused, to remand to Gaol; but that were he to take upon himself the function of an Ordinary Jury, he would, for the reasons given, have no hesitation in discharging the prisoners, and that he is even more dissatisfied with the evidence and the manner in which it was given than in the case of the King a chi. In presence
Page 236
of this report, I repeat the Council would be assuming a very great responsibility in handing over the accused to the Chinese Government,
(Signed) Edwd. Ackroyd
Acting Attorney General,
Hongkong, 12th May, 1886.
Several