Jurisdiction concerned and should not fall upon the Taxpayers of Hongkong, who already place the Colonial Gaol and Staff at the service of the Consular Court without charge.
4. The justice of this claim was recognised in the case of two recent prisoners, Vaughan and Gutierrez, by His Majesty's Minister, Peking, who informed me that in each case he had "requested the Acting Judge at Shanghai to refund to (me) the amount of the charge incurred". In spite, however, of Sir John Jordan's request, I am informed by the Consular Authorities at Shanghai "that in view of the question of the return of discharged prisoners to Shanghai being now under consideration by His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, he is unable to refund the sum".
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
Governor, &c..