CO129-034 - Sir Bonham - 1850 [9-12] — Page 101

Copy. 1

of remarking that as the French Minister is about to leave China, it is particularly desirable that His Excellency should leave instructions to any French ship of war that may arrive in China to receive these Prisoners, as, from their numbers, their detention in the Colonial Jail is not unattended with inconvenience to the Public service.

I have, &c.

(Signed) Mayne, Colonial Secretary.

My dear Major Mayne,

Mr. Rouen has requested me to apply to you for the following information,

Whether your Government have received from the Magistrates a declaration of their inability to commit the Chinese prisoners of the "Albert" for trial being considered as pirates, such crime not being cognizable. Or whether the civil authority alone has decided that the aforesaid Chinese are only amenable to the French tribunals.

Should there be any documents on this subject, and the Government have no objections, I should be happy to receive a copy for Mr. Rouen.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) Henry Anthon

Hongkong, October 19th 1880.

True Copy,

Colonial Secretary.