Sir,
247
H. B. M's. Consulate,
Canton, 18th January, 1901.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 116 of the 17th instant, referring to your Despatch No. 2210 of the 3rd December, 1900, and subsequent correspondence, and stating that His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong will be glad if an answer be given at my early convenience to the hope expressed by His Excellency that an Officer of the Hongkong Government would be permitted to attend at the trial.
I shall feel obliged if you will inform His Excellency that I was not aware that any person was under arrest under the Extradition Ordinances or that an early answer was specially required to your Despatch No. 40 of the 7th instant; its subject matter in addition required consideration. My reply drafted some days ago will be posted today.
I have &c.
(sd.) B. C. George Scott, H. B. M's. Consul-General,
The Honourable
J. H. Stewart-Lockhart, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary,
Hongkong.