CO129-076 - Individuals - 1859 — Page 169

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

The second I think is how the atmosphere of HK. has been absolutely poisoned by recent libels for years. No man is safe, the best have left, those who remain are thick-skinned & somewhat reckless. It is most desirable to second the judicial force in the endeavour to put down this pest, which has been partly exempted by the extreme feebleness of Sir J. B. administration, and, for aught I know, by his very lenity in this instance.

The third reason I think, as far as appears (not hearing what may be behind), singularly unfair.

Page 166

Col. Caine may well have said, so long as I administered the government, I held a licence for I committed, I disregarded these charges, mainly because I was faithful to myself, I might be damned by an incautious appeal to the precious tribunal of a jury. But now I am about to leave: I am a free man.

I will vindicate my character. It will be by reference to the libel, that it contained not only the old charges, but that the sting lay in the charge that "Col. Caine is now about to leave the colony, he has seen himself depraved, he will leave it a self-condemned man."

Now, a man; and character.

And this he has done, by going into the witness box & submitting to cross-examination.

I think therefore it would be undesirable to do anything which might be interpreted as expressing disapproval of recent sentence, or of the formal conduct in enforcing it. But as regards de Tarrant, there can be no wish to have him vindicated; and

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The second I think is how the atmosphere of HK. has been absolutely poisoned by recent libels for years. No man is safe, the best have left, those who remain are thick-skinned & somewhat reckless. It is most desirable to second the judicial force in the endeavour to put down this pest, which has been partly exempted by the extreme feebleness of Sir J. B. administration, and, for aught I know, by his very lenity in this instance. The third reason I think, as far as appears (not hearing what may be behind), singularly unfair. Page 166 Col. Caine may well have said, so long as I administered the government, I held a licence for I committed, I disregarded these charges, mainly because I was faithful to myself, I might be damned by an incautious appeal to the precious tribunal of a jury. But now I am about to leave: I am a free man. I will vindicate my character. It will be by reference to the libel, that it contained not only the old charges, but that the sting lay in the charge that "Col. Caine is now about to leave the colony, he has seen himself depraved, he will leave it a self-condemned man." Now, a man; and character. And this he has done, by going into the witness box & submitting to cross-examination. I think therefore it would be undesirable to do anything which might be interpreted as expressing disapproval of recent sentence, or of the formal conduct in enforcing it. But as regards de Tarrant, there can be no wish to have him vindicated; and
Baseline (Original)
The second I think is hove R alosphere of HK. has been absolutely Pressonal porioned by rem Laker libels for years. hast - no man is safe, the best han lift, those who remain are thick- skinned & somental reckless. It is most desirable to second the judicial force in the Endearn to put down this hest: which has ben pratly exermoped by the Extreme feebleach of Fir J. B administration, and, for aught Kasw, by his bir very Cenity in this instame The third reason I think as far as appears (not hearing atch may be behind ) singularly unfair m 166 Col. Caine may will lan said, loop as I adonimistued the forument, held a Licet. for I commntion, I disregarded these chays, mann Lowens fainful to myself, I might damay frentet by an meincaffel appeal to the precasions hiebunal If a jury. But how I am about 4 lean : I am a free. of I will vindicat my teen h Lient Cd. Caine. It will h by refereme to the libel, that it contained not only the dd charges, best that the sting lay in the chaye tal "Col. Caine it now about I lean the colony, he has seno depnad himself, he will lean it a # self condemned man. Now, man; and character. And this he has done, by joing into the witness box & submitting 4 crop cxamination. very I think therefore it would undesirable to do anything which might be interprcted as expresing disappeard of recruit, sentence, or of the fomnos conduct in enforcing or a it. But at regars de Tarrant, there can I as wish to h vindicter; and M
2026-05-18 15:43:22 · Baseline
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The second I think is hove

R

alosphere of HK. has been absolutely

Pressonal

porioned by rem Laker libels for years. hast - no man is safe, the best han lift, those who remain are

thick- skinned & somental reckless. It is

most desirable to second

the judicial force in the Endearn to put down this hest: which has ben pratly exermoped by the Extreme feebleach of Fir J. B administration, and, for aught Kasw, by his

bir

very

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The third reason I think

as far as appears (not hearing atch may be behind ) singularly unfair

m

166

Col. Caine may will lan said, loop as I adonimistued the forument, held a Licet. for I commntion,

I disregarded these chays, mann Lowens fainful to myself, I might damay frentet by an meincaffel

appeal to the precasions hiebunal If a jury. But how I am about 4 lean : I am a free.

of

I will vindicat my

teen

h

Lient Cd. Caine. It will h by refereme to the libel, that it contained not only the dd charges, best that the sting lay in the chaye tal "Col. Caine it now about I lean the colony, he has seno depnad himself, he will lean it

a

#

self condemned man.

Now,

man; and

character.

And this he has done, by joing

into the witness box & submitting

4 crop cxamination.

very

I think therefore it would

undesirable to do anything

which might be interprcted as expresing disappeard of recruit, sentence, or of the fomnos conduct in enforcing

or a

it. But

at

regars de Tarrant, there can I as wish to h vindicter; and

M

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