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ypu of quiet traders in this colony having being taken over there forcibly, and kept in prison?
Dr Bridges. I think the day before I left office I know of a letter from you-There may have been a petition.
Attorney General-The China Mail said that some Chinese had gone to you at your office, with a petition setting forth their wrongs, and were most rudely rejected Dr Bridges. I do not remember anything of a state- ment in the China Mail of a petition being rejected.
Attorney General-Did Sir John Bowring reject it? Dr Bridges.—I am not Sir John Bowring's keeper, and have no knowledge of any petition to him.
Attorney General.-Do you remember a letter of mine respecting Ma.chow Wong having claimed the possession of that village?
Dr Bridges. The letter referred to a dispute in the place opposite, and Ma-chow Wong was mixed up with it. I do not remember about the prayer of the petitioners- I paid very little attention to it. I remember it being sug- gested by the Petitioners, that Government should employ the strong arm, and deal with them as pirates.
Attorney General-What was the Governor's answer- was it the ordinary answer-Government see no occasion to interfere?
Dr Bridges. I do not remember whether Sir John Bowring answered that he would not interfere that was not his usual answer when in office.
i
Attorney General. You are in the position of a witness and have no right to address any observations to the Court but to answer my questions only. You have already told the Court that Sir John Bowring "expected you to do everything without authority, to act on your own res- ponsibility &c."
Dr Bridges. It is not for me to say where they were Attorney General.-You will confine yourself to the office of a witness.
Dr Bridges.—I have already requested you to ask m questions as a gentleman.
Attorney General.—(Sharply) Do you mean to swear a Executive Councillor, that you do not know where thos books and papers were?
Dr Bridges.—My Lord, 1 object to the tone of Mr Anstey questioning. I am giving my evidence fairly, and 1er pect to be treated as a gentleman.
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you about the memoranda?
Attorney General-Did Mr Davies say any thing to
Dr Bridges.-I cannot say. Mr Davies gave me no explanation on the subject.
Attorney General. Did he say any thing regarding the memoranda, and why they were not given to you?
Dr Bridges.--I forget.
Attorney General. - Never mind; we will ask Mr Davies by-and-by. Did Mr May's Memoranda bear any reference to the charge on which Ma-chow Wong was convicted?
Dr Bridges.--I am not aware of its being fact that the Attorney General-We have had this fencing wi documents related to any specific charge tried or untried. questions too long.
Court.-I am perfectly satisfied with the manner which Dr Bridges gives his answers.
I thought they might refer to both. I suppose they related to the case tried in Court. I cannot specify what they related to. I have no knowledge. It may be as you as you say or other wise. I have no impression.
Attorney General. I wish to read this part of Mr Dixson's evidence at the Police Court to you (see page 114 supra.)
Attorney General.-I have a right to complain when a wit ness refers me to other persons to answer my questions Dr Bridges. He said, my Lord that I was fencing with questions. I have answered straightforwardly through out, and I hope your Lordship will stop any more of it.
"Mr Mongan was then called in, and in answer to the Gov- ernor's question stated that he had not made a very close ex- Attorney General.-(To Dr Bridges.) You need nomination of the books but merely a cursory one. The Council appeal to the Court. (To the Judge)-My Lord, The then broke up in some confusion, and I believe Mr May left
Court cannot know what I know in this matter until it is this memoranda in their hands."" informed.
Attorney General.-Do you remember that?
Dr Bridges. I have never stated that I was ignorant either in this Court or any where else; I have already with the Council. I do remember Mr Mongan's having Dr Bridges-Mr May certainly left his memoranda
documents. They were originally in the Police Departam as positive as I would like to be about anything. To stated in my answers in this Court, the history of those
been in the room. I am as positive of it as Mr Dixson. I ment, then they were sent to Mr Mongan, then to M Wade, then to Mr Mongan again, who afterwards des- troyed them.
Attorney General.-I will read what you said to the Caldwell Cominission. You stated, "Mr May having gi
!
Dr Bridges.-The observations I addressed to His Lord-ven me the Memoranda, they must have been handed over! ship were founded on your remarks. That's how you to the Clerk of Councils, &c. ;" this is very different to conclude things-not my way to answer. That's your your answer now. version-a poetical version. The Judge has his notes of what I said.
Dr Bridges.-I have no remembrance of Mr Dixson's) letter in my hands-Do you put any question to me about
Court. You said the Governor preferred acting on the it? responsibility of others if possible.
Attorney General.--Now we will go on again-You never saw Ma-chow Wong's books and papers?
Dr Bridges. To the best of my belief never-1 am posi- tive they were never in my department. I think they were not in the department of the Executive Council. As far as my knowledge goes, they were never in the possession of the Governor. I never saw them in the Governor's room, nor in the Council room.
t
Attorney General-Mr Caine says they were never in the Superintendency, where were they?
Attorney General.-You went on to say,—
"There was also another question apart from Ma-chow Wong -as to whether Mr Caldwell and Mr May were credible per- sons, or which of them." (See page 52 supra.)
How do you reconcile this with your saying that you considered the books of no value, and then ordered them to be burnt?
Dr Bridges. I deny that there is any contradiction be- tween my evidence and what you have read. I decline to make any further statement.
Attorney General-You refuse to give an answer.
the best of my beef Mr May passed the memo, into my hands, and I looked at them, and either handed them to the Governor, or laid them on the table before the Council.
Attorney General.-What else took place which you have not stated in the Council?
Dr Bridges. I think there was some question about referring the memoranda to Mr Wade.
Attorney General. Who raised the question-Did you? Dr Bridges. I can't tell—I don't think I did. To the best of my belief the Governor ordered it. He ordered that as the memoranda did not agree with Caldwell and Mongan's translation, Mr Wade should ascertain who was correct.
Attorney General.-I particularly wish to know who acted as Clerk on that day-which of the D'Almadas it was who forwarded those papers and the memoranda.
Dr Bridges.-I have some doubt whether the Clerk of Councils did forward the memoranda and accompanying papers to Mr Wade.
Attorney General.-Why are you not certain?
Dr Bridges. Because I am not at all certain whether I forwarded them or he forwarded them.
Attorney General.-Oh! Can you be certain of any- thing in this connection?-because if you can please in- form the Court--and remember you are on your oath.
Dr Bridges,--To the best of my belief they were either forwarded or given to Mr Wade. I may have taken them down to his office myself. I know I spoke to him, then, or very soon afterwards and at subsequent intervals. I don't remember what else passed in Council, I think nothing more,
Attorney General.-D'Almada says he is not at liberty to disclose, &c., &c.; what had he to disclose?
Dr Bridges.-You had better ask him. I have nothing further to disclose. He, no doubt, considered that his obligation of secrecy was still hanging over him.
Attorney General.-This was on the 3d of September, or six days after your retirement from office. Did you not say yesterday that the Government servants were or- dered to make the fullest disclosures?
Dr Bridges. That is my impression. I said so yester- day, and I say so now.
Attorney General.I wish to read to you parts of Mr Dixson's depositions both before the Caldwell Enquiry Commission (page 9 supra) and at the Police Court (page 114 supra) Mr Caldwell was in office during all of 1857?
Dr Bridges.—Yes, he came into office again in November 1856.
Attorney General.-[Reading.]
Dr Bridges. I don't remember sufficiently to say any. thing about Mr May's memoranda touching which you are reading.
Attorney General. But you can tell me whether you disagree with Mr Dixson's version of them.
Dr Bridges. I do not disagree with Mr Dixson's state- ments.
Attorney General.-Were they despatched from the Council room to Mr Wade?
Dr Bridges. I can't tell if they were despatched to Mr Wade-I only talk in Council. The Clerk carries out orders. Perhaps both D'Almadas were present at different times in the Executive Council room-one as Clerk, the
Attorney General.-Chim-sha-tsuy is a nest of pirates, is it not?
Dr Bridges. I do not know how far that may be the case. I am aware that stolen goods, such as coals, have
other as Acting Clerk. One of them went away in Sep-been found there. tember and the other acted. I can't tell which of them was present on that day.
Attorney General-Has there been no complaints to
Pay:
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387
( 141 )
ypu of quiet traders in this colony having being taken over there forcibly, and kept in prison?
Dr Bridges. I think the day before I left office I know of a letter from you-There may have been a petition.
Attorney General-The China Mail said that some Chinese had gone to you at your office, with a petition setting forth their wrongs, and were most rudely rejected Dr Bridges. I do not remember anything of a state- ment in the China Mail of a petition being rejected.
Attorney General-Did Sir John Bowring reject it? Dr Bridges.--I am not Sir John Bowring's keeper, and have no knowledge of any petition to him.
Attorney General.-Do you remember a letter of mine respecting Ma.chow Wong having claimed the possession of that village?
Dr Bridges. The letter referred to a dispute in the place opposite, and Ma-chow Wong was mixed up with it. I do not remember about the prayer of the petitioners- I paid very little attention to it. I remember it being sug- gested by the Petitioners, that Government should employ the strong arm, and deal with them as pirates.
Attorney General-What was the Governor's answer- was it the ordinary answer-Government see no occasion
to interfere?
Dr Bridges. I do not remember whether Sir John Bowring answered that he would not interfere
that was not his usual answer when in office.
i
Attorney General. You are in the position of a witness and have no right to address any observations to the Court but to answer my questions only. You have already told the Court that Sir John Bowring "expected you to do everything without authority, to act on your own res- ponsibility &c."
Dr Bridges. It is not for me to say where they were Attorney General.-You will confine yourself to the office of a witness.
Dr Bridges.—I have already requested you to ask m questions as a gentleman.
Attorney General.—(Sharply) Do you mean to swear a Executive Councillor, that you do not know where thos books and papers were?
Dr Bridges.—My Lord, 1 object to the tone of Mr Anstey questioning. I am giving my evidence fairly, and 1er pect to be treated as a gentleman.
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you about the memoranda ?
Attorney General-Did Mr Davies say any thing to
Dr Bridges.-I cannot say. Mr Davies gave me no explanation on the subject.
Attorney General. Did he say any thing regarding the memoranda, and why they were not given to you?
Dr Bridges.--I forget.
Attorney General. - Never mind; we will ask Mr Davies by-and-by. Did Mr May's Memoranda bear any reference to the charge on which Ma-chow Wong was convicted?
Dr Bridges.--I am not aware of its being fact that the Attorney General-We have had this fencing wi documents related to any specific charge tried or untried. questions too long.
Court.-I am perfectly satisfied with the manner which Dr Bridges gives his answers.
I thought they might refer to both. I suppose they related to the case tried in Court. I cannot specify what they related to. I have no knowledge. It may be as you as you say or other wise. I have no impression.
Attorney General. I wish to read this part of Mr Dixson's evidence at the Police Court to you (see page 114 supra.)
Attorney General.-I have a right to complain when a wit ness refers me to other persons to answer my questions Dr Bridges. He said, my Lord that I was fencing with questions. I have answered straightforwardly through out, and I hope your Lordship will stop any more of it.
"Mr Mongan was then called in, and in answer to the Gov- ernor's question stated that he had not made a very close ex- Attorney General.-(To Dr Bridges.) You need nomination of the books but merely a cursory one. The Council appeal to the Court. (To the Judge)-My Lord, The then broke up in some confusion, and I believe Mr May left
Court cannot know what I know in this matter until it is this memoranda in their hands."" informed.
Attorney General.-Do you remember that?
Dr Bridges. I have never stated that I was ignorant either in this Court or any where else; I have already with the Council. I do remember Mr Mongan's having Dr Bridges-Mr May certainly left his memoranda
documents. They were originally in the Police Departam as positive as I would like to be about anything. To stated in my answers in this Court, the history of those
been in the room. I am as positive of it as Mr Dixson. I ment, then they were sent to Mr Mongan, then to M Wade, then to Mr Mongan again, who afterwards des- troyed them.
Attorney General.-I will read what you said to the Caldwell Cominission. You stated, "Mr May having gi
!
Dr Bridges.-The observations I addressed to His Lord-ven me the Memoranda, they must have been handed over! ship were founded on your remarks. That's how you to the Clerk of Councils, &c. ;" this is very different to conclude things-not my way to answer. That's your your answer now. version-a poetical version. The Judge has his notes of what I said.
Dr Bridges.-I have no remembrance of Mr Dixson's) letter in my hands-Do you put any question to me about
Court. You said the Governor preferred acting on the it? responsibility of others if possible.
Attorney General.--Now we will go on again-You never saw Ma-chow Wong's books and papers?
Dr Bridges. To the best of my belief never-1 am posi- tive they were never in my department. I think they were not in the department of the Executive Council. As far as my knowledge goes, they were never in the possession of the Governor. I never saw them in the Governor's room, nor in the Council room.
t
Attorney General-Mr Caine says they were never in the Superintendency, where were they?
Attorney General.-You went on to say,—
"There was also another question apart from Ma-chow Wong -as to whether Mr Caldwell and Mr May were credible per- sons, or which of them." (See page 52 supra.)
How do you reconcile this with your saying that you considered the books of no value, and then ordered them
to be burnt?
Dr Bridges. I deny that there is any contradiction be- tween my evidence and what you have read. I decline to make any further statement.
Attorney General-You refuse to give an answer.
the best of my beef Mr May passed the memo, into my hands, and I looked at them, and either handed them to the Governor, or laid them on the table before the Council.
Attorney General.-What else took place which you have not stated in the Council?
Dr Bridges. I think there was some question about referring the memoranda to Mr Wade.
Attorney General. Who raised the question-Did you? Dr Bridges. I can't tell—I don't think I did. To the best of my belief the Governor ordered it. He ordered that as the memoranda did not agree with Caldwell and Mongan's translation, Mr Wade should ascertain who was
correct.
Attorney General.-I particularly wish to know who acted as Clerk on that day-which of the D'Almadas it was who forwarded those papers and the memoranda.
Dr Bridges.-I have some doubt whether the Clerk of Councils did forward the memoranda and accompanying papers to Mr Wade.
Attorney General.-Why are you not certain?
Dr Bridges. Because I am not at all certain whether I forwarded them or he forwarded them.
Attorney General.-Oh! Can you be certain of any- thing in this connection ?-because if you can please in- form the Court--and remember you are on your oath.
Dr Bridges,--To the best of my belief they were either forwarded or given to Mr Wade. I may have taken them down to his office myself. I know I spoke to him, then, or very soon afterwards and at subsequent intervals. I don't remember what else passed in Council, I think nothing more,
Attorney General.-D'Almada says he is not at liberty to disclose, &c., &c.; what had he to disclose ?
Dr Bridges.-You had better ask him. I have nothing further to disclose. He, no doubt, considered that his obligation of secrecy was still hanging over him.
Attorney General.-This was on the 3d of September, or six days after your retirement from office. Did you not say yesterday that the Government servants were or- dered to make the fullest disclosures?
Dr Bridges. That is my impression. I said so yester- day, and I say so now.
Attorney General.I wish to read to you parts of Mr Dixson's depositions both before the Caldwell Enquiry Commission (page 9 supra) and at the Police Court (page 114 supra) Mr Caldwell was in office during all of 1857 ?
Dr Bridges.-Yes, he came into office again in November 1856.
Attorney General.-[Reading.]
Dr Bridges. I don't remember sufficiently to say any. thing about Mr May's memoranda touching which you are reading.
Attorney General. But you can tell me whether you disagree with Mr Dixson's version of them.
Dr Bridges. I do not disagree with Mr Dixson's state-
Attorney General.-Were they despatched from the ments. Council room to Mr Wade ?
Dr Bridges. I can't tell if they were despatched to Mr Wade-I only talk in Council. The Clerk carries out orders. Perhaps both D'Almadas were present at different times in the Executive Council room-one as Clerk, the
Attorney General.-Chim-sha-tsuy is a nest of pirates, is it not?
Dr Bridges. I do not know how far that may be the case. I am aware that stolen goods, such as coals, have
other as Acting Clerk. One of them went away in Sep-been found there. tember and the other acted. I can't tell which of them was present on that day.
Attorney General-Has there been no complaints to
Pay:
....
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