CO129-057 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [7] — Page 92

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

"Industrious men are open to the charge of 'illegality', but, in His Excellency's opinion,

"The evidence likely to be obtained in support of it would not justify him in directing proceedings on behalf of Government".

I felt that it behoved me to ascertain, by the only proper means – what evidence existed and could be obtained on that subject; and I also felt that it behoved me, after receiving His Excellency's instructions, not to confine myself to directing proceedings on behalf of the Government, to institute the necessary proceedings.

The fact that the prisoners, from whom the extortions were alleged to have been made, were Chinamen, appeared an additional reason, and a very important one, for giving a judicial form to the enquiry.

His Excellency is aware that, right or wrong, there is a general impression amongst these people that they made the subject of extortion in the Courts of Justice, and most especially in that Court presided over temporarily by the late Sheriff.

I have the honour to forward copies of the Depositions of Jin Ay Sing, the Chinese Turnkey, M. Mackenzie, the Keeper of the Prison, Wong Cheung, the first prisoner, and Lee Sing, the second prisoner, all taken yesterday. M. Dick's presence will be required to identify the letter.

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"Industrious men are open to the charge of 'illegality', but, in His Excellency's opinion, "The evidence likely to be obtained in support of it would not justify him in directing proceedings on behalf of Government". I felt that it behoved me to ascertain, by the only proper means – what evidence existed and could be obtained on that subject; and I also felt that it behoved me, after receiving His Excellency's instructions, not to confine myself to directing proceedings on behalf of the Government, to institute the necessary proceedings. The fact that the prisoners, from whom the extortions were alleged to have been made, were Chinamen, appeared an additional reason, and a very important one, for giving a judicial form to the enquiry. His Excellency is aware that, right or wrong, there is a general impression amongst these people that they made the subject of extortion in the Courts of Justice, and most especially in that Court presided over temporarily by the late Sheriff. I have the honour to forward copies of the Depositions of Jin Ay Sing, the Chinese Turnkey, M. Mackenzie, the Keeper of the Prison, Wong Cheung, the first prisoner, and Lee Sing, the second prisoner, all taken yesterday. M. Dick's presence will be required to identify the letter.

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2 "endust kemed open to the change of "illegality, but throst, in His excelleness "The evidence likely to be opinion, "obtained in support of it would not him in directing in prevention "justify behalf of Government ". I filt that it be lived me to aveertonin, and by the only proper the matters of the partions Means – what evidence existed and could_ be obtained on that bu trast it now on that subject; and Cerealie I alos felt that it behoved me after receiving His The Oseelieney's internation wrows not his funfire to direct me on behalf of the broom, to institute the necessary for recedings authority and responsibility or my mom authority and Grand peror. Пъ Ow - The fort that the prisoners, spom whom the extortions wvere farid to ? have been OL 89 His 02 crttempted, were Climamen, appeared an additional reccessing and a very important one, for giving a judicial form to the enquiry. Exxcellency is anvore that, right or wrong, there is on general impression amongst there people think they made the subject of extortion in the Counts of Justice, and most expecially to in theat bout pino temporarily presided over by the Laste Sheriff. are I have the linoor to forward Copier of the Depositions of Jin Aysing, the Chinese Turnkey, M. Mackenzie, the Keeper of the Privony- Which loung, the first prisoner, and Lee Rono, the second prisoner, all taken yesterday. M. Dick's Pridena with be counted to identify the letter

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"endust kemed open to the change of "illegality, but throst, in His excelleness

"The evidence likely to be

opinion,

"obtained in support of it would not

him in directing in prevention "justify

behalf of Government ".

I filt that it be lived me to aveertonin, and by the only proper the matters of the partions

Means –

what evidence existed and could_

be obtained on that bu

trast it now

on that subject; and

Cerealie

I alos felt that it behoved me after receiving His The

Oseelieney's internation wrows not his funfire to direct me on behalf of the broom, to institute the necessary for recedings authority and responsibility or my mom authority and

Grand peror.

Пъ

The fort that the prisoners, spom whom the extortions

wvere

farid to

have been

His

crttempted, were Climamen, appeared an additional reccessing and a very important one, for giving a judicial form to the enquiry.

Exxcellency is anvore

that, right or wrong, there is on general impression amongst there people think they made the subject of extortion in the Counts of Justice, and most expecially to in theat bout pino temporarily presided over by the Laste Sheriff.

are

I have the linoor to forward Copier of the Depositions of Jin Aysing, the Chinese Turnkey, M. Mackenzie, the Keeper of the Privony- Which loung, the first prisoner, and Lee Rono, the second prisoner, all taken yesterday. M. Dick's Pridena with be counted to identify the letter

CO129-057 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [7] — Page 92

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