CO129-052 - Sir Bowring - 1855 [9-12] — Page 278

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

testimony of the Greate shows that no assault was committed, no force or violence having been used other than necessary to restrain the man in custody and preserve the discipline of the ship. Instead of Capt. M'Keever's assaulting Madison, precisely the reverse was the case. You spoke of the Captain's "retort", but as Captain M'Keever declined to the jurisdiction of the Court and made no defence, I cannot see that any person can be designated.

It strikes me as a singular feature of the case, that in this, a criminal case, twenty-five dollars were awarded for the benefit of Madison himself, and upon his own testimony, upon the testimony of a man who in New York swore that he was a citizen of the United States, and in Hongkong swore that he is a citizen of England. This is contrary to the principle of fairness, that a man shall not be a witness wherein he is pecuniarily interested, and it gives an additional inducement to crews of American vessels to mutiny, as thereby they not only escape from the ship, but are pecuniarily rewarded also.

I regret exceedingly to differ in view with Your Excellency, but the conclusion that I am forced to is as follows:

That the local authorities have claimed to exercise, in the case of the "Reindeer", a jurisdiction not justified by the Laws of Nations.

That the whole affair was, on the part of Madison, an attempt to escape from his legal obligations to the ship, and

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testimony of the Greate shows that no assault was committed, no force or violence having been used other than necessary to restrain the man in custody and preserve the discipline of the ship. Instead of Capt. M'Keever's assaulting Madison, precisely the reverse was the case. You spoke of the Captain's "retort", but as Captain M'Keever declined to the jurisdiction of the Court and made no defence, I cannot see that any person can be designated. It strikes me as a singular feature of the case, that in this, a criminal case, twenty-five dollars were awarded for the benefit of Madison himself, and upon his own testimony, upon the testimony of a man who in New York swore that he was a citizen of the United States, and in Hongkong swore that he is a citizen of England. This is contrary to the principle of fairness, that a man shall not be a witness wherein he is pecuniarily interested, and it gives an additional inducement to crews of American vessels to mutiny, as thereby they not only escape from the ship, but are pecuniarily rewarded also. I regret exceedingly to differ in view with Your Excellency, but the conclusion that I am forced to is as follows: That the local authorities have claimed to exercise, in the case of the "Reindeer", a jurisdiction not justified by the Laws of Nations. That the whole affair was, on the part of Madison, an attempt to escape from his legal obligations to the ship, and Page 275 17.
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16. testimony of the Greate shows that no assault, was committed, po puore a force or violence having been need them pros Meccssary to furt the man in crows, and preserve the discipline of the ship_, _ Hial protead of Capt. Mislid's Assaulting Madion, précisely the reverse was the Cowe. You speech of the Captain's rotuuss", but as Captain Nietiole de- -Aurred to the jurisdiction of the Crat, and mode no defence, I cannot se lino any perom can be designated. edd, - properly Is почи + It strikes me as a fingulor_- feature of the cave, that in this, a Eriminal case, tiventy five dollars of wow for the benefit of Madison himself, and upon his non testimony, upon the testimony of a man why in New York Shore Hot he was a citizen- that the fire 275- 17. of the United States, and in Honighing that he is a citizen of England. This scence contrary to the primaple of fair, What a man shall not be a witness wherein he is peemiarity in a cave interested, and it gives an additional inducement to creve of American resseles to Munting, as thereby they not mily escape from the shop, but are piconni- _arily rewarded aloo I regret exceedingly to differ in new with You Exellency, but the Envolusion that I am freed to is as follow: That the local auttioritics have elained to opereive, in the cause of the "Reindeer", a jurisdiction not justified by the Lives of Nations. Mi That the whole affour ward, hian the feart of Madison to secipe from lie legal obligations to the fishes, and theate
2026-05-17 22:03:10 · Baseline
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16.

testimony of the Greate shows that no

assault, was committed, po puore

a force or violence having been need them pros Meccssary to furt the man in crows, and preserve the discipline of the ship_, _ Hial protead of Capt. Mislid's Assaulting Madion, précisely the reverse was the Cowe. You speech of the Captain's rotuuss", but as Captain Nietiole de- -Aurred to the jurisdiction of the Crat, and mode no defence, I cannot se lino any perom can be designated.

edd,

- properly Is

почи

+

It strikes me as a fingulor_- feature of the cave, that in this, a Eriminal case, tiventy five dollars of

wow for the benefit of Madison himself, and upon his non testimony, upon the testimony of a man why in New York Shore Hot he was a citizen- that

the fire

275-

17.

of the United States, and in Honighing that he is a citizen of England. This scence contrary to the primaple of fair, What a man shall not be a witness wherein he is peemiarity

in a cave

interested, and it gives an additional inducement to creve of American resseles

to Munting, as thereby they not mily escape from the shop, but are piconni- _arily rewarded aloo

I

regret exceedingly to differ in new with You Exellency, but the Envolusion that I am freed to is as follow:

That the local auttioritics have elained to opereive, in the cause of the "Reindeer", a jurisdiction not justified by the Lives of Nations.

Mi

That the whole affour ward,

hian

the feart of Madison to secipe from

lie legal obligations to the fishes, and theate

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