No. 127.
51376157.
361
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following paper, being the substance of a Proclamation addressed by His Excellency The Governor to the Chinese Inhabitants of the Colony, is published for general information.
By Order,
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 29th November, 1856.
Proclamation of His Excellency Sir John Bowring, &c., &c., &c., issued to reassure the good citizen, and to intimidate the idle and disorderly.
Whereas it is not more the duty of Government to administer the law with zeal and strictness, than to listen patiently to the complaint of those who conceive themselves to have been treated with injustice; still, be the ground of complaint what it may, it must be preferred in a proper manner to the proper authorities; those who attempt to dictate the method of their own redress, not only fail in obtaining any, but incur the penalties of a precipitate collision with their governors on whom they force the obligation of dealing summarily with their turbulence. On a late occasion, during His Excellency's absence at Canton, there was a disturbance in the Sheung-wan. Some tradesmen alleging that they had a grievance to redress suddenly closed their shops, and joining with a rabble of the idle and vagabond population of the Colony, attempted to coerce the more respectable inhabitants to follow their example. The authorities unwilling at once to proceed to extremities, considerately reasoned with this disorderly multitude, but to no purpose. They continued insolent and clamorous until dispersed by a body of the military and police.
If wrong had been done to any one why had he not presented his petition? Has it ever happened that a petition respectfully presented has not been attended to? Since His Excellency's return he has received one from some of the respectable Chinese of this Colony, the prayers of which will, as usual, meet with becoming attention. Why, with so simple a remedy at hand, were these misguided people induced to take part in acts of violence, at once in breach of the law, and to the detriment of their own cause?
Let the people remember that if they abide in a British Colony, they must be amenable to British Law, if they have aught that they misunderstand, or complain of, in the Law or its agents, it is open to them to apply to the head of the Government, and they will be heard if their petition be orderly and properly presented. But if a mob collect in the streets, the cause of its so assembling is not to be first enquired into it must be at once dispersed; and as it is at all times assumed that no well-disposed person will be present on such occasions, it will be well in the event of any future disturbance that the good and respectable remain within doors, each in his own house. Those continuing in the street will then be considered as vagabonds without a home, or recusants who choose wilfully to oppose the law. The law is able to vindicate itself, and the serious consequences of the opposition of such persons will be on their own heads.
And whereas, there are at this moment a large number of idlers and bad characters in the Colony, it is expedient for the protection of the peaceful citizen against these, that some system of registration be adopted forthwith. No fee will be levied, the measure is simply to enable the government duly to distinguish the good from the evil. Let the Chinese community at the same time remember, that it is the duty of the good citizen at all times to assist the police when engaged in carrying out the law, whether in the arrest of a prisoner, the removal of a nuisance, or in any case in which the police may call on him to assist. Thus will Government be supported, and the governed protected; and by the co-operation of both the security of all will be assured.
No. 127.
51376157.
361
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following paper, being the substance of a Proclamation addressed by His Excellency The Governor to the Chinese Inhabitants of the Colony, is published for general information.
By Order,
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 29th November, 1856.
Proclamation of His Excellency Sir John Bowring, &c., &c., &c., issued to reassure the good citizen, and to intimidate the idle and disorderly.
Whereas it is not more the duty of Government to administer the law with zeal and strictness, than to listen patiently to the com- plaint of those who conceive themselves to have been treated with injustice; still, be the ground of complaint what it may, it must be preferred in a proper manner to the proper authorities; those who attempt to dictate the method of their own redress, not only fail in obtaining any, but incur the penalties of a precipitate collision with their governors on whom they force the obligation of dealing sum- marily with their turbulence. On a late occasion, during His Excellency's absence at Canton, there was a disturbance in the Sheung-wan, Some tradesmen alleging that they had a grievance to redress suddenly closed their shops, and joining with a rabble of the idle and vagabond population of the Colony, attempted to coerce the more respectable inhabitants to follow their example. The authorities unwilling at once to proceed to extremities, considerately reasoned with this disorderly multitude, but to no purpose. They continued insolent and clamorous until dispersed by a body of the military and police.
If wrong had been done to any one why had he not presented his petition? Has it ever happened that a petition respectfully presented has not been attended to? Since His Excellency's return he has received one from some of the respectable Chinese of this Colony, the prayers of which will, as usual, meet with becoming attention. Why, with so simple a remedy at hand, were these misguided people induced to take part in acts of violence, at once in breach of the law, and to the detriment of their own cause?
Let the people remember that if they' abide in a British Colony, they must be amenable to British Law, if they have aught that they misunderstand, or complain of, in the Law or its agents, it is open to them to apply to the head of the Government, and they will be heard if their petition be orderly and properly presented. But if a mob collect in the streets, the cause of its so assembling is not to be first enquired into it must be at once dispersed; and as it is at all times assumed that no well-disposed person will be present on such occasions, it will be well in the event of any future disturbance that the good and respectable remain within doors, each in his own house. Those continuing in the street will then be considered as vagabonds without a home, or recusants who choose wilfully to oppose the law. The law is able to vindicate itself, and the serious consequences of the opposition of such persons will be on their own heads.
And whereas, there are at this moment a large number of idlers and bad characters in the Colony, it is expedient for the protection of the peaceful citizen against these, that some system of registration be adopted forthwith. No fee will be levied, the measure is simply to enable the government duly to distinguish the good from the evil. Let the Chinese community at the same time remember, that it is the duty of the good citizen at all times to assist the police when engaged in carrying out the law, whether in the arrest of a prisoner, the removal of a nuisance, or in any case in which the police may call on him to assist. Thus will Government be supported, and the governed protected; and by the co-operation of both the security of all will be assured,
DEX
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.