CO129-062 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [1-3] — Page 80

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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under the circumstances, the last paragraph No. 7 had better be omitted.

It appears to me, with submission, that this paragraph No. 7 may be construed as expressing an opinion that, instead of the Ordinance, Martial Law ought to have been proclaimed, and also as containing something like a recommendation that in arguable circumstances resort had better be had to the Proclamation of Martial Law.

I do not think it desirable to express any such opinion or convey any such recommendation.

Exception also may be taken to the accuracy of the language of part of the paragraph, in the parts underscored. If any recommendation be given to Sir John Bowring I think it should be to augment the Civil force by every means in his power (swearing in overseas residents not being a Chinaman as a Special Constable) during the day to have the Military at hand to assist the Civil power if necessary, and if these precautions be sufficient for the protection of life and property, Martial law as a last resource might be proclaimed from sunset to sunrise in Hongkong.

I have, &c.,

(signed) Richard Bethell

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under the circumstances, the last paragraph No. 7 had better be omitted. It appears to me, with submission, that this paragraph No. 7 may be construed as expressing an opinion that, instead of the Ordinance, Martial Law ought to have been proclaimed, and also as containing something like a recommendation that in arguable circumstances resort had better be had to the Proclamation of Martial Law. I do not think it desirable to express any such opinion or convey any such recommendation. Exception also may be taken to the accuracy of the language of part of the paragraph, in the parts underscored. If any recommendation be given to Sir John Bowring I think it should be to augment the Civil force by every means in his power (swearing in overseas residents not being a Chinaman as a Special Constable) during the day to have the Military at hand to assist the Civil power if necessary, and if these precautions be sufficient for the protection of life and property, Martial law as a last resource might be proclaimed from sunset to sunrise in Hongkong. I have, &c., (signed) Richard Bethell
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under the circumstances, the last paragraph No. 7 had better be omitted. It appears to me, with submission, that this paragraphe No. 7 may be constined as expressing an Minion that, molead of the Ordinance, Martial Law ought to have been prodaimed, and also as containing something like a recom. : mendation that in argfulimme resort had better be emergencry had to the Proclamation of Martial Law. I do not think it desirable to express any such opinion or convey anyouch recommen. Exception also maybe lahen to The ac accuracy of the language of Jation 78 part of the paragraph. in the parts underscored. If any recommends. :tion be given to Sir John Bowring I think it should be to augment the Civil force by fivery means st in his power (swearing in Overz resident not being a Chinaman as a Special Constable) during the day to have the Military. hand to assist the Civil power if necessary, and if these precautions be sest eefficient for the protection Of life and properly, Martial law As a last resource might be proclaimed from sunset to Sunrise hi Hongkong. I have, sti: (signed) Richard Bethell
2026-05-18 09:02:55 · Baseline
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under the circumstances, the last paragraph No. 7 had better

be omitted.

It appears to me, with submission, that this paragraphe No. 7 may be constined as

expressing an Minion that, molead of the Ordinance, Martial Law ought to have been prodaimed, and also as containing something like a recom. : mendation that in argfulimme

resort had better be

emergencry

had to the Proclamation of

Martial Law.

I do not think it

desirable to express any such opinion

or convey anyouch

recommen.

Exception also maybe lahen to

The ac

accuracy

of the language of

Jation

78

part of the paragraph. in the parts underscored. If any recommends. :tion be given to Sir John Bowring I think it should be to augment the Civil force by fivery

means

st

in his power (swearing in Overz resident not being a Chinaman as a Special Constable) during the day to have the Military. hand to assist the Civil power if necessary, and if these precautions be sest eefficient for the protection Of life and properly, Martial law

As a

last resource

might

be

proclaimed from sunset to

Sunrise hi

Hongkong.

I have, sti:

(signed) Richard Bethell

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