Not long since a requisition was made by a Chinese officer, who described himself as expectant Captain of a Chinese gunboat, but who I understand is an official subordinate holding a very high position, for the extradition of three men charged with having committed a murder and other crimes on Chinese territory.
Mr. Alabaster, to whom I wrote in connection with this application, informed me that, in his opinion, such a request should come from the representative of the Government concerned, viz. in Canton from the Viceroy, but he did not state that in this particular instance it should come through him.
I must admit that when this requisition was received, I did not consider that it was made in such a formal and regular way as it should have been.