I understand that he was residing in Shatin, and on his return, he was forcibly taken onto a ferry boat bound for Kowloon City (China), with the boat not stopping at Hung Hom as it usually did. He jumped overboard in British waters when he found or suspected what was to be done with him; he was brought back on board, shut up in the cabin, and taken to Kowloon City, where he was beheaded.
According to a letter from Mr. Alabaster, a copy of which I understand he has forwarded to you, the capture and execution of this man were effected under the orders of the Fang officials, not of the Viceroy, but there was ample time for the Viceroy to have intervened and prevented his execution. Frater communicated with the Viceroy on 15th October last, and the man was executed on 28th October. The delay that has occurred in transmitting this further evidence to Your Excellency has been unavoidable owing to the difficulty with which it has been obtained, through the dread of the Chinese witnesses of doing anything that would offend the Chinese Authorities.
It is evident that, although residing in the British Colony, their fear of Chinese Officials is greater than their belief in the power of this Government to protect them. I would beg especially to draw Your Excellency's attention to the suggestion of the Police Magistrate that the names of the witnesses should not be divulged to the Chinese Authorities, unless absolutely necessary. The fear entertained by the Chinese of punishment by the Chinese Authorities has no doubt been the reason why the offer of a reward has been ineffectual in inducing the sampan people who picked him up when he jumped overboard to come forward.
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