CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844 — Page 253

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

residing even in the City of

the City of Macao, and although circumstances have led to her exercising an undefined authority with respect to the subjects and citizens of foreign States similarly situated; yet even as regards Portuguese foreign Subjects, the Governor and Senate of Macao are not, I understand, vested with the power of life and death, and have to send all such Criminals as are likely to demand condign punishment for trial to You.

Supposing however, that the opinion of Her Majesty's Advocate General be perfectly correct (and I repeat that I dissent from it with extreme deference), I presume, that the essence of the Treaties between England and Portugal was intended to be rigidly reciprocal, and Consequently were they infringed by one party to them, that infringement would, I conceive, virtually absolve the other party from its engagements. Now not only have

the Portuguese Authorities at Macao frequently of late years set at nought that provision of the treaty respecting Her Majesty's Subjects being considered and treated as those of the most favoured Nation, but they have on every occasion taken part with the Chinese Government against us; have driven Her Majesty's Subjects at a few hours' notice from their houses and property under an Official declaration that they dared not disobey the Edicts of the High Chinese Officers to that effect; have distantly and unconditionally declined our proffered assistance to defend Macao against the Chinese Troops which were ordered to proceed there "to expel the English"; have always refused - even in times of peace and amity, and do so at this instant - on the same plea of it's being contrary to the Commands and wishes of the Chinese Government – to allow British Ships or even Merchant Vessels, to enter the Harbour

250

of War,

NDEX.

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residing even in the City of the City of Macao, and although circumstances have led to her exercising an undefined authority with respect to the subjects and citizens of foreign States similarly situated; yet even as regards Portuguese foreign Subjects, the Governor and Senate of Macao are not, I understand, vested with the power of life and death, and have to send all such Criminals as are likely to demand condign punishment for trial to You. Supposing however, that the opinion of Her Majesty's Advocate General be perfectly correct (and I repeat that I dissent from it with extreme deference), I presume, that the essence of the Treaties between England and Portugal was intended to be rigidly reciprocal, and Consequently were they infringed by one party to them, that infringement would, I conceive, virtually absolve the other party from its engagements. Now not only have the Portuguese Authorities at Macao frequently of late years set at nought that provision of the treaty respecting Her Majesty's Subjects being considered and treated as those of the most favoured Nation, but they have on every occasion taken part with the Chinese Government against us; have driven Her Majesty's Subjects at a few hours' notice from their houses and property under an Official declaration that they dared not disobey the Edicts of the High Chinese Officers to that effect; have distantly and unconditionally declined our proffered assistance to defend Macao against the Chinese Troops which were ordered to proceed there "to expel the English"; have always refused - even in times of peace and amity, and do so at this instant - on the same plea of it's being contrary to the Commands and wishes of the Chinese Government to allow British Ships or even Merchant Vessels, to enter the Harbour 250 of War, NDEX.
Baseline (Original)
residing even in the City of the City of Alacas, and although circumstances have led to her exercising an ----- : defined authority with respect to the subjects and. Citizens of foreign States similarly situated ; yet even as regards Portuguese forn Subjects, the "Loverner and Senate of Mlaces are not, Sunderstand, -rested with the power of life and death, and have to send all such Criminals as are- likely to demands condign punishment for trial to You. Supposing however, that the opinion of Her Majesty's. Adorcate. General be perfectly correct (and Irepeat that I dissent from it with extrême deference ), I presume, that the Asewance of the Treaties between Englands and Portugal was intended to be rigidly sciprocal, and Consequently were they infringed by one party to them, that infringement would, I conceive, virtually absolve the other party from it's engagements. Now sot only have. the 250 the. Potuguese Authwities at Macao frequently of. late years set at nought that provision of the srealy respecting Her Majesty's Subjects being considered and treated as those of the most favord Nation, but they have in every occasion laten part with the Rhinese Government against us; have driven Her Majestizo Subjects at a few hours notice from their houses and properly under an Official declaration that they dared not disobey the Edicts of the High Chinese Officers to that effect; have distivally and. unconditionally declined, our profferred assistance to defend Macae against the Kinese Groeps which were ordered to proceed there "to ispel the English ; have always refused _ even in times of peace and Emcard, and do so at this instant _ on the same plea of it's being Contrary to the Commands and wishes of the Kinese Imernment to allow 1 British Ships or even Merchant Nessels, to enter the Harber D of War, NDEX.
2026-05-16 20:11:18 · Baseline
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residing even in the City of

the City of Alacas, and although circumstances have led to her exercising an -----

: defined authority with respect to the subjects and. Citizens of foreign States similarly situated ; yet even as regards Portuguese forn Subjects, the "Loverner and Senate of Mlaces are not, Sunderstand, -rested with the power of life and death, and have to send all such Criminals as are-

likely

to demands condign punishment for trial to You.

Supposing however, that the opinion of Her Majesty's. Adorcate. General be perfectly correct (and Irepeat that I dissent from it with extrême deference ), I presume, that the Asewance of the Treaties between Englands and Portugal was intended to be rigidly

sciprocal, and Consequently were they infringed by one party to them, that infringement would, I conceive, virtually absolve the other party from it's engagements. Now sot only have.

the

250

the. Potuguese Authwities at Macao frequently of. late years set at nought that provision of the srealy respecting Her Majesty's Subjects being considered and treated as those of the most favord Nation, but they have

in every occasion laten

part with the Rhinese Government against us; have driven Her Majestizo Subjects at a few hours notice from their houses and properly under an Official declaration that they dared not disobey the Edicts of the High Chinese Officers to that effect; have distivally and. unconditionally declined, our profferred assistance to defend Macae against the Kinese Groeps which were ordered to proceed there "to ispel the English ; have always refused _ even in times of peace and Emcard, and do so at this instant _ on the same plea of it's being Contrary to the Commands and wishes of the Kinese Imernment – to allow 1 British Ships or even Merchant Nessels, to enter the

Harber

D

of War,

NDEX.

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