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M. E. M. Nichols, an American citizen, Master of the American barque "Reindeer", ship, was received on board this ship, at the request of the American Consul, to protect him from an illegal arrest and imprisonment by a Magistrate of Hongkong. So far as I have been informed the course pursued by this Magistrate has been instigated by circumstances, and illegal.
By his direction a police officer was sent on board an American Ship, and a man released from confinement by it, who had been placed in irons by order of the Captain, for desertion, mutiny, and a violation of the discipline of the Ship, an offence not cognizable by the English, but to American Law.
This Magistrate, not content with this gross outrage on the American flag, subsequently arraigned the Captain of the ship, who certainly had committed an offence against the Laws of the Colony, fines him seventy-five dollars, (fifty for the Court, and twenty-five for the Prosecutor) and in default of payment, sentenced him to incarceration in the common jail.
Under these views of the sense of duty will compel me to afford an asylum and protection to Captain Nichols, at least until it shall be made satisfactorily to appear to me that he has committed some offence or crime, for which he can justly be held amenable to English Law.
Very respectfully, Sir,
(Signed) Wm. J. McCluney, Captain, H. M. S. "Herald", Commanding M. J. Steam Frigate "Proserpine".
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M. E. M. Nichols, an American citizen, Monter of the Unicerian borque
received on board this
was received
"Reindeer", ship, at the request of the American Convent, to protect him from an illegal arcct and inferionment by a pringishate of Homughing. Is for as I have been informed the cottole course pursued by this
Magistrate
trisite how been importanted
by the eirennestances, aut illegal
wrow
By his direction a police free sent on board an Neries in Hücken, Ship, and a mom releaved from coifmement by it, who had been placed in iro by order of the baptorum, for devertine, sunting, and a violation of the dissipline of the Ship, an offence not to English, but to Monerisan Li erquizable by the Amerison Cont This Me
Magistrate, not onetent with this
gross
•
Jue Copy
gross
nitrage
M
m
198
the Amerison flag, subse
e
•
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- quently oneste the Captain of the pipe, whs certamily had 2 mmitted u offence against the Laws of the Colony, fines him seventy five dollars, (fifty for the Court, and liventy five for the Mustincer) and in default of porgment, sentenced him to incarceration in the common jail.
Merder three views of the sense of duty will compel me to afford an axsylum and protection to Captain Nielibles, at least until it shall be made fertieforstorily to appear to me that he has committed forme offence o crime, for which he com justly be held Amenable to English Low
Contenal fatto il fecretary.
Code, a
12
Very respectfully, Bar, (Signed Won J. Mr Eluney, Captorin, H. S. Harry
Commanding M.J. Steam Frigate "Prohatan”.
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