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accordingly after having immediately released the person who had been arrested, referred the case to the Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, who made representations to the "Ministers of the Tsungli Yamen. They replied by expressing regret at the irregular proceedings of the Officer in question, and stating that while the Governor General of Fukien would be directed to apologise to this Government, instructions would be sent to the Viceroys and high Authorities in the various provinces so that they might instruct their subordinates not to presume to make arrests in Hongkong.
Intimation has also been received from the Governor General of Fukien stating that the Officer Chan Fai-tung has been deprived of his button and his commission, and asking that his conduct be excused.
The writer considers it right to notify this to the inhabitants, who are hereby informed that so long as you reside in the Colony you are by law free subjects, and cannot in any way be restricted or have your independence curtailed.
Bad characters will not, however, be allowed to come to Hongkong in the hope of escaping justice. They should remember, that Britain and China have long maintained terms of friendship, and that the treaty lays down that "if criminals, subjects of China, shall take refuge in Hongkong or on board British ships there, they shall upon due requisition by the Chinese Authorities, be seized and given up."