CO129-061 - Public Offices - 1856 — Page 35

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

A levy of $10 a head on immigrants of Chinese origin. This Act was confirmed by the Queen and communicated to the Foreign Office on the 11th October 1855.

The Governor writes to Sir S. Bowring that the colonial legislature has by this Act interfered with "a sovereign Treaty," and that "this interference may seriously embarrass negotiations with the Chinese Authorities when such negotiations shall have arrived.

He also complains that this Act is an usurpation of the rights of those persons of Chinese origin who are British subjects.

The first objection which the Governor offers is that the Act violates a Treaty. Sir John Bowring refers to the Treaty which he alleges to be violated, or indicates the nature of its provisions. We should have presumed that he would have referred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

It seems, however, extraordinary that the Chinese Government, which does not allow foreigners to penetrate into its own country, and affects to forbid the emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain that those subjects are not relaxed on their arrival in Victoria.

And if such a right really exists under Treaty, it also appears strange whether Foreign...

Page 4

POSTGARTME

...

becomes

A levy of $10 a head on immigrants of Chinese origin. This Act was confirmed by the Queen and communicated to the Foreign Office on the 11th October 1855.


The Governor writes to Sir S. Bowring that the colonial legislature has by this Act interfered with "a sovereign Treaty," and that "this interference may seriously embarrass negotiations with the Chinese Authorities when such negotiations shall have arrived.


He also complains that this Act is an usurpation of the rights of those persons of Chinese origin who are British subjects.


The first objection which the Governor offers is that the Act violates a Treaty. Sir John Bowring refers to the Treaty which he alleges to be violated, or indicates the nature of its provisions. We should have presumed that he would have referred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.


It seems, however, extraordinary that the Chinese Government, which does not allow foreigners to penetrate into its own country, and affects to forbid the emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain that those subjects are not relaxed on their arrival in Victoria.


And if such a right really exists under Treaty, it also appears strange whether Foreign...


Page 4


POSTGARTME

However, to follow the exact format requested:

A levy of $10 a head on immigrants of Chinese origin. This Act was confirmed by the Queen and communicated to the Foreign Office on the 11th October 1855.

The Governor writes to Sir S. Bowring that the colonial legislature has by this Act interfered with "a sovereign Treaty," and that "this interference may seriously embarrass negotiations with the Chinese Authorities when such negotiations shall have arrived.

He also complains that this Act is an usurpation of the rights of those persons of Chinese origin who are British subjects.

The first objection which the Governor offers is that the Act violates a Treaty. Sir John Bowring refers to the Treaty which he alleges to be violated, or indicates the nature of its provisions. We should have presumed that he would have referred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

It seems, however, extraordinary that the Chinese Government, which does not allow foreigners to penetrate into its own country, and affects to forbid the emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain that those subjects are not relaxed on their arrival in Victoria.

And if such a right really exists under Treaty, it also appears strange whether Foreign...

Page 4

POSTGARTME

Edit History

2026-05-18 08:15:53 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
A levy of $10 a head on immigrants of Chinese origin. This Act was confirmed by the Queen and communicated to the Foreign Office on the 11th October 1855. The Governor writes to Sir S. Bowring that the colonial legislature has by this Act interfered with "a sovereign Treaty," and that "this interference may seriously embarrass negotiations with the Chinese Authorities when such negotiations shall have arrived. He also complains that this Act is an usurpation of the rights of those persons of Chinese origin who are British subjects. The first objection which the Governor offers is that the Act violates a Treaty. Sir John Bowring refers to the Treaty which he alleges to be violated, or indicates the nature of its provisions. We should have presumed that he would have referred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It seems, however, extraordinary that the Chinese Government, which does not allow foreigners to penetrate into its own country, and affects to forbid the emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain that those subjects are not relaxed on their arrival in Victoria. And if such a right really exists under Treaty, it also appears strange whether Foreign... Page 4 POSTGARTME ... becomes A levy of $10 a head on immigrants of Chinese origin. This Act was confirmed by the Queen and communicated to the Foreign Office on the 11th October 1855. The Governor writes to Sir S. Bowring that the colonial legislature has by this Act interfered with "a sovereign Treaty," and that "this interference may seriously embarrass negotiations with the Chinese Authorities when such negotiations shall have arrived. He also complains that this Act is an usurpation of the rights of those persons of Chinese origin who are British subjects. The first objection which the Governor offers is that the Act violates a Treaty. Sir John Bowring refers to the Treaty which he alleges to be violated, or indicates the nature of its provisions. We should have presumed that he would have referred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It seems, however, extraordinary that the Chinese Government, which does not allow foreigners to penetrate into its own country, and affects to forbid the emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain that those subjects are not relaxed on their arrival in Victoria. And if such a right really exists under Treaty, it also appears strange whether Foreign... Page 4 POSTGARTME However, to follow the exact format requested: A levy of $10 a head on immigrants of Chinese origin. This Act was confirmed by the Queen and communicated to the Foreign Office on the 11th October 1855. The Governor writes to Sir S. Bowring that the colonial legislature has by this Act interfered with "a sovereign Treaty," and that "this interference may seriously embarrass negotiations with the Chinese Authorities when such negotiations shall have arrived. He also complains that this Act is an usurpation of the rights of those persons of Chinese origin who are British subjects. The first objection which the Governor offers is that the Act violates a Treaty. Sir John Bowring refers to the Treaty which he alleges to be violated, or indicates the nature of its provisions. We should have presumed that he would have referred to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It seems, however, extraordinary that the Chinese Government, which does not allow foreigners to penetrate into its own country, and affects to forbid the emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain that those subjects are not relaxed on their arrival in Victoria. And if such a right really exists under Treaty, it also appears strange whether Foreign... Page 4 POSTGARTME
Baseline (Original)
A lay of t 10 a head on immigrants offhinese origin. This act was confirmed Queen and.. d by the municated to the Foreign Commer Office on the 11th October 1855. nor writes 3 Sri S. Bowring that the colonial deficlatire has by this Act interfered, with "a sovereign. Treaty," and that " this interference may seriously "Embarrap negotiations with "the Chinese Authorities when the such negotiations shatt "hine for such are DAY "have arrived 4 " He also complains that this Achi An suracion of the rights of those persons of Chinese) Zin who are 5. is not our British Lubyceto. The first objection which the offer offer any 33 :ations, espe expeed. ally Lors observa as his John Bowring refer to the Treaty which he allege. to be violated, or indicate the ratione of its provisions. D should we - presume be referred to the Lecretary of State for Forrige affaire. It seems however extraordinary that the Chinese Covernment, which igners dors not allow Force to fountry, penetrate into its own and affects to forbid. the Emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain laxed that those subjecti оспе on their arrival in Victoria. And if such a right really existi under Treaty it als appears strange theather Forrigh POSTGARTME
2026-05-18 08:15:53 · Baseline
View content

A lay of t 10 a head on

immigrants

offhinese origin. This act was

confirmed

Queen and..

d by the municated to the Foreign

Commer

Office on the 11th October 1855.

nor writes

3 Sri S. Bowring that the colonial deficlatire has by this Act interfered, with "a sovereign. Treaty," and that " this interference may seriously "Embarrap

negotiations with "the Chinese Authorities when the such negotiations shatt "hine for such are

DAY

"have arrived

4

"

He also complains that

this Achi An

suracion

of

the

rights of those persons of Chinese)

Zin

who

are

5.

is not our

British Lubyceto.

The first objection

which

the

offer

offer any

33

:ations, espe

expeed.

ally

Lors

observa

as his John Bowring

refer to the Treaty which he allege.

to be violated, or indicate

the ratione of its provisions. D

should we

- presume be referred

to the Lecretary of State for Forrige affaire. It seems however extraordinary that the Chinese Covernment, which

igners

dors not allow Force

to

fountry,

penetrate into its own

and affects to forbid. the Emigration of its own subjects, should have a right to complain

laxed that those subjecti

оспе

on their arrival in Victoria.

And if such a right really

existi

under Treaty it als

appears strange theather

Forrigh

POSTGARTME

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.