As this letter laid down rulings on debatable points of law that I could not expect the parties to the case to accept on their merits, I wrote to enquire in what light I was to regard the letter, whether as an order of His Excellency the Administrator or expression of individual opinion. If the former, I should obey it; if the latter, I should treat it with the respectful consideration due to it.
I received the following reply:-
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hong Kong, 9th March, 1887.
From the Acting Colonial Secretary to H. E. Mcdowall, Esq., C.M.D., Police Magistrate.
With reference to your letter No. 122 of yesterday regarding the rendition of criminals, I am directed to inform you that the letter No. 260 of the 23rd ultimo is not an order or an expression of the individual opinion of the Officer Administering the Government; but that it is a statement of the general principles gathered from the Ordinances and other sources, which should guide the magistrates in dealing with these cases.
5/ Frederick Stewart, Acting Colonial Secretary.
The