CO129-078 - Sir Robinson - 1860 [7-12] — Page 286

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

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to a third party, i.e. the Government of the Country in which he is at the time resident. His Excellency the Governor therefore on review of the whole case regrets coming again to the conclusion that the irregular imprisonment of Brown on board the Elbe is a breach of both international law and Courtesy - a breach the more to be regretted as it might have been avoided by a simple adherence to the legal form of procedure, which would in no way have infringed on the rights or privileges of the Prussian Flag.

You yourself, Sir, cannot fail to perceive the alarming Consequences to which this precedent if permitted would give rise, any sailor having a grievance against his ship would avail himself of the opportunity to desert, and over the large Mercantile Marine constantly frequenting this port, it would be impossible to enforce law or preserve order.

Under all the circumstances then His Excellency decides to refer this correspondence to Her Majesty's Government in London, in order that this serious matter may be settled by the Supreme Authorities, and the common claims of justice recognized and satisfied.

I have …

(signed) W. J. Mercer,

(True Copy)

Colonial Secretary.

do Jae

Pasters

for the Colonial Secretary.

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4. 5 281 to a third party, i.e. the Government of the Country in which he is at the time resident. His Excellency the Governor therefore on review of the whole case regrets coming again to the conclusion that the irregular imprisonment of Brown on board the Elbe is a breach of both international law and Courtesy - a breach the more to be regretted as it might have been avoided by a simple adherence to the legal form of procedure, which would in no way have infringed on the rights or privileges of the Prussian Flag. You yourself, Sir, cannot fail to perceive the alarming Consequences to which this precedent if permitted would give rise, any sailor having a grievance against his ship would avail himself of the opportunity to desert, and over the large Mercantile Marine constantly frequenting this port, it would be impossible to enforce law or preserve order. Under all the circumstances then His Excellency decides to refer this correspondence to Her Majesty's Government in London, in order that this serious matter may be settled by the Supreme Authorities, and the common claims of justice recognized and satisfied. I have (signed) W. J. Mercer, (True Copy) Colonial Secretary. do Jae Pasters for the Colonial Secretary.
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4. 5 281 to a thirst party, i. e. the Government of the Country in which he is at the time resident. His Excettenry the Governor therefore in review of the whole case regrets come again to the conclusion that the irregular imprisonment of Brown. -ocard the Elbe is a breach of both international law and Courtesy - a breach the more to be regretted regretted as it might have been avoided by a simple on adherence to the legal form of procedure, way have infringed which would in no on the rights or privileges of the Prussian Flag. You yourself, Sir, cannot fail. to perceive the alarming Consequences to which this preee dent if permitted would sailor having a give rise, any sailor grievance against his ship would avail himself of the opportunity to desert, and Over the large Mercantile Marine Constantly frequenting this port, it would be impossible to enforce law or preserve order, Under all the circumstances then His Excellency decides to refer- to Her Majesty's this correspondence to Her Government in London, in order that be settled by this serious matter may the Supreme Authorities, and the Conimow claims of justice recognized and satisfied. I have r (signed) W. J. Meercer, (Time Copy) Colonial Secretary. до Jae Pasters for the Colonial. Secretary.
2026-05-18 19:13:57 · Baseline
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4.

5

281

to

a thirst party, i. e. the Government of the Country in which he is at the time resident. His Excettenry the Governor therefore in review of the whole case regrets come again to the conclusion that the irregular imprisonment of Brown. -ocard the Elbe is a breach of both

international law and Courtesy - a breach the more to be regretted

regretted as it might have been avoided by a simple

on

adherence to the legal form of procedure,

way have infringed

which would in no

on

the rights or privileges of the Prussian

Flag.

You yourself, Sir, cannot fail.

to perceive the alarming Consequences to which this preee dent if permitted

would

sailor having a

• give rise, any sailor

grievance against his ship would avail himself of the opportunity to desert, and

Over the large Mercantile Marine Constantly frequenting this port, it would be impossible to enforce law or preserve order,

Under all the circumstances

then His Excellency decides to refer-

to Her Majesty's

this correspondence to Her Government in London, in order that

be settled by

this serious matter may

the Supreme Authorities, and the Conimow claims of justice recognized and satisfied.

I have r

(signed) W. J. Meercer,

(Time Copy)

Colonial Secretary.

до Jae

Pasters

for the Colonial. Secretary.

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