I immediately examined each case and directed the respective civil and military authorities to make careful inquiries and report.
I have now received replies from Feng, Acting Colonel of Kwang-chow; Li, Colonel of Tung-kuan; as well as from Chang, and Ch'ên, acting Magistrates of the Nanhai and Panyü Districts respectively; from Wei, Magistrate of Shuntê; and from Huang, Acting Magistrate of the Hsiang-shan District.
On examination of the statements which I have received of the different crimes in which these persons have taken part, I find that those criminals are all notorious robbers who have escaped to Hongkong, for whose arrest rewards have been offered, and that their escape to Hongkong is not of recent date.
The statement in Mr. Consul Alabaster's Dispatch that the Acting Governor of Hongkong is prepared to hand over these criminals, shews clearly a praiseworthy desire to have criminals punished, and it was my duty to use all despatch in inquiring into the matter and in reporting, so that a reply might be sent, and the criminals might be arrested, punished, and prevented from reaping benefit.
Those forty criminals now in Hongkong are all notorious and their crimes are of long standing and complicated.
I am forwarding such particulars as I have received of their crimes to show that they ought to be dealt with. The dates and the crimes committed by these persons, as well as the names of the persons on whom these crimes have been perpetrated, are forwarded in obedience to instructions, for your consideration.
I beg that you will reply to Mr. Alabaster, British Consul, so that he may comply with the request.