CO129-032 - Sir Bonham - 1850 [1-4] — Page 104

precious remains were treated, brought here in a boat of the most ordinary description, accompanied only by two Police runners, which is still more to be remarked after the very positive requisition made to Your Excellency by this Council in their Despatch of the 2d January, that conveyance to Macao with decency and dignity befitting the high character of the illustrious deceased should be observed, which could not be refused - a grave responsibility being incurred, which in the present instance must all fall on Your Excellency.

This Council takes the opportunity of acquainting Your Excellency, that an examination of these mutilated members having been directed to be immediately made by competent persons, both Portuguese and foreigners, it was found that the head and hands were perfectly preserved, having the flesh still fresh, without the slightest sign of decomposition, it being thus clearly demonstrated that the greatest care was taken immediately after they were severed from the body, by employing all the necessary means to preserve them from corruption, as it is impossible that their preservation could have been attained in any other way, especially in the hottest season of the year, when the horrible assassination took place, and also that they could never have been buried, which it is not even natural to suppose, to prevent their decomposition.

This fact being thus established, the falsehood of the assertion in the confession of Suchi-long, that the members were buried at Sam-tes, is evident. Your Excellency, after declaring in your

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precious remains were treated, brought here in a boat of the most ordinary description, accompanied only by two Police runners, which is still more to be remarked after the very positive requisition made to Your Excellency by this Council in their Despatch of the 2d January, that conveyance to Macao with decency and dignity befitting the high character of the illustrious deceased should be observed, which could not be refused - a grave responsibility being incurred, which in the present instance must all fall on Your Excellency.

This Council takes the opportunity of acquainting Your Excellency, that an examination of these mutilated members having been directed to be immediately made by competent persons, both Portuguese and foreigners, it was found that the head and hands were perfectly preserved, having the flesh still fresh, without the slightest sign of decomposition, it being thus clearly demonstrated that the greatest care was taken immediately after they were severed from the body, by employing all the necessary means to preserve them from corruption, as it is impossible that their preservation could have been attained in any other way, especially in the hottest season of the year, when the horrible assassination took place, and also that they could never have been buried, which it is not even natural to suppose, to prevent their decomposition.

This fact being thus established, the falsehood of the assertion in the confession of Suchi-long, that the members were buried at Sam-tes, is evident. Your Excellency, after declaring in your

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