by Matthew
~ John Renman Stephens' and
Thomas Howard was laid before Your Majesty by Mr Chamberlain, in that year. Mr Chamberlain pointed out that the Acting Governor of Hong Kong had made his award in the case in accordance with the law of the Colony and stated that in all the circumstances he was unable to advise Your Majesty that that award was improper. He accordingly humbly advised Your Majesty that you should decline to give any directions in regard to the Petition and Your Majesty was graciously pleased to follow that advice.
Subsequently, Mr Howard addressed a further appeal to Mr Lyttelton, at that time Secretary of State for the Colonies, and Mr Lyttelton consented to refer the matter again to the Government of Hong Kong. As a result, that Government offered £9020, purely as an act of grace since Messrs Howard and Stephens had no legal claim,