CO129-052 - Sir Bowring - 1855 [9-12] — Page 216

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

86

that he was enabled to escape from custody. I call upon you, therefore, even apart from the greater question, to have him arrested and delivered up to me in fulfilment of this contract of shipment.

I have reason to believe that this whole affair was a settled and arranged plan, to which Officers of your Colony lent themselves, if they did not even concert it, to enable this man "Madison" to escape from his obligations to the Ship, and his contract of service legally entered into. It is even said that he has been already taken into the service of the Government. If such things are allowed to go uncorrected, there will be no safety for American Ships in British harbours, no assurance of their being able to enter their cargoes, attend to necessary business, and retain their crews to get to sea again. The safety of American Ships, and the interests of American merchants, seem to be at the mercy of any petty Magistrate or low police officer.

In this case is involved too, more or less deeply, I conceive, an important question, a vital principle, fraught with serious consequences to both Great Britain and the United States. No one would deprecate more deeply than I any misunderstanding between the two Countries, any disturbance of the amicable relations now existing between them. I concur cordially with you in the sentiments you express on this subject.

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86 that he was enabled to escape from custody. I call upon you, therefore, even apart from the greater question, to have him arrested and delivered up to me in fulfilment of this contract of shipment. I have reason to believe that this whole affair was a settled and arranged plan, to which Officers of your Colony lent themselves, if they did not even concert it, to enable this man "Madison" to escape from his obligations to the Ship, and his contract of service legally entered into. It is even said that he has been already taken into the service of the Government. If such things are allowed to go uncorrected, there will be no safety for American Ships in British harbours, no assurance of their being able to enter their cargoes, attend to necessary business, and retain their crews to get to sea again. The safety of American Ships, and the interests of American merchants, seem to be at the mercy of any petty Magistrate or low police officer. In this case is involved too, more or less deeply, I conceive, an important question, a vital principle, fraught with serious consequences to both Great Britain and the United States. No one would deprecate more deeply than I any misunderstanding between the two Countries, any disturbance of the amicable relations now existing between them. I concur cordially with you in the sentiments you express on this subject. Page 87
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86 ΠΙΣ that he was enabled to escape from Custody. I call upon you, therefore, cven apart from the greater question, to have him arrested and delivered uso sim w/o in fulfilment of this contract of Hipment. I have reason to believe that this whole affovir was a settled and arranged plan, to which Officers of your Erlony lent thenwelves, if they "did not even coneret it, __ to enable "the this man "Madison to cxcape from. his obligations to the Ship, and his enitract of service legally entered into. It is even Said that he has been already taken into the service of the Government. of such things are allowed to go uncorrected, sufumishich, there with be no safety for American Chips in British harbore, _M squarantee of justice, - _No assurance 213 87 - of their being able to enter their eargred, attend to necessary business, and retain their crews to get to sea again. The Anfety of American Hips, and the interests of American moueres, secun to be at the 12 Muerey of any petty Magistrate the love inco powille policeman. In this case- is moolved too, more or less deeply, I covence, an important question, a vital principle, fraught with seriou Consequences to both Great Britain and the Mnited States. No me would deprecate more deeply deeply than I any Misunderstanding between the titr ceant to force, - Miny Countries, _ any the disturbance of the amicable relations now existing between them. I post Cordially amour waith you in the Coneur Sentiments you express me this subject,
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86

ΠΙΣ

that he was enabled to escape from

• Custody. I call upon you, therefore, cven apart from the greater question, to have him arrested and delivered uso sim

w/o in fulfilment of this contract of Hipment.

I have reason to believe that this

whole affovir

was a settled and

arranged plan, to which Officers of your Erlony lent thenwelves, if they

"did not even coneret it, __ to enable "the this man "Madison to cxcape from. his obligations to the Ship, and his enitract of service legally entered into. It is even Said that he has been already taken into the service of the Government. of such things are allowed to go uncorrected, sufumishich, there with be no safety for American Chips in British harbore, _M

squarantee of

justice, -

_No assurance

213 87

- of their being

able to enter their eargred, attend to

necessary business, and retain their crews to get to sea again. The Anfety of American Hips, and the interests of

American moueres, secun to be at the

12

Muerey of any petty Magistrate

the love inco powille policeman. In this case- is moolved too, more or less deeply, I covence, an important question, a vital principle, fraught with seriou Consequences to both Great Britain and the Mnited States. No me would deprecate

more deeply

deeply than I any

Misunderstanding between the titr

ceant to force, - Miny

Countries, _ any

the

disturbance of the amicable relations

now existing between them. I post Cordially

amour waith you in the

Coneur

Sentiments you express me this subject,

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