7720.
No. 194.
(Howa Kone.)
LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.
MY LORD,
Temple, July 3, 1863. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 16th June ultimo, stating that with reference to our Report of the 20th May last, and our previous Reports respecting the proclamation issued by the Governor of Hong Kong prohibiting the export of munitions of war from that Colony, he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us, together with the previous papers, two letters from the Colonial Office, the first transmitting a copy of a letter from Messrs. Barnett and Sons of the Minories claiming to be allowed a certain time for reshipping arms consigned by them in the ordinary course of business to China, and which were landed in Hong Kong in December and February last, and the second letter enclosing a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong in which he described the position of the local government in reference to the proclamation, and suggested that it should be published in this country for the information of shippers of warlike stores, and to request that we would take these papers into our consideration and favour your Lordship with our opinion upon the several points therein referred to.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have taken these papers into considera- tion, and have the honour to
Report
That we think it reasonable that the Governor of Hong Kong should permit the export of arms introduced into the Colony previously to the issue of the proclamation, provided that care be taken that the arms are shipped in vessels not destined for the Chinese coasts.
It appears to us desirable that the proclamation should be published in the London Gazette.
The Earl Russell,
&c.
&c.
We have, &c. (Signed)
For myself and the Attorney-General. ROUNDELL PALMER.
• No. 183.
ROBERT PHILLIMORE.
16978.-53.
25,--8/86,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
885
10 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO}