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proceeding on the part of a British subject in China.
From the fact that the Letter of Request, originally forwarded to me direct by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, has now been transmitted to me by Your Excellency, I assume that the action I am asked to take in this matter has Your Excellency's sanction and approval. If this is so, I regret the more that I am unable to comply in this instance with Your Excellency's request.
I cannot, without instructions from His Majesty's Minister in Peking, take upon myself the responsibility for a course of action for which, to the best of my belief, no precedent exists in this Colony, and which may possibly raise a serious question of international jurisdiction between the British and Chinese Governments.
I am forwarding copies of this correspondence to His Majesty's Minister for his consideration and I will, on receipt of his reply, do myself the honour of addressing Your Excellency again on the subject.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant
(Sgd) Bud- Fix.
Acting Consul-General.