CO129-081 - Sir Robinson - 1861 [4-7] — Page 202

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

Ministers and officials with large but well-defined powers, laying upon them this duty, which they are constrained honestly and firmly to perform. To attack them for Acts done in the execution of their office, under such powers and obligations, therefore, is not so much to attack the individuals as the Government they represent, and the laws they administer for the maintenance of peace and order.

That Public Servants and Functionaries, when acting within legal limits, are entitled to protection, is a principle which has always been recognized by Governments; that they may stand between their officers and any assailant, and protect them from either wrong or injury. Were it otherwise, indeed, who could be found to administer the laws - maintain order, guard or enforce the observance of Treaties? If, in the legal execution of their duty, they rendered themselves liable to be prosecuted in a Court, without means of defence, and to be mulcted in ruinous and vindictive damages, at the suit of an offender who had been justly punished, and had suffered no greater punishment than that assigned by the Law for the offence of which he was convicted; it is evident no one could venture to act.

The legitimate action of every Minister and official on whom a Criminal and Civil Jurisdiction has been conferred in the East, would be paralyzed, and the boldest could be deterred from seeking to enforce the law and repress disorder. How serious an evil this would be, and how contrary to the views of...

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Ministers and officials with large but well-defined powers, laying upon them this duty, which they are constrained honestly and firmly to perform. To attack them for Acts done in the execution of their office, under such powers and obligations, therefore, is not so much to attack the individuals as the Government they represent, and the laws they administer for the maintenance of peace and order. That Public Servants and Functionaries, when acting within legal limits, are entitled to protection, is a principle which has always been recognized by Governments; that they may stand between their officers and any assailant, and protect them from either wrong or injury. Were it otherwise, indeed, who could be found to administer the laws - maintain order, guard or enforce the observance of Treaties? If, in the legal execution of their duty, they rendered themselves liable to be prosecuted in a Court, without means of defence, and to be mulcted in ruinous and vindictive damages, at the suit of an offender who had been justly punished, and had suffered no greater punishment than that assigned by the Law for the offence of which he was convicted; it is evident no one could venture to act. The legitimate action of every Minister and official on whom a Criminal and Civil Jurisdiction has been conferred in the East, would be paralyzed, and the boldest could be deterred from seeking to enforce the law and repress disorder. How serious an evil this would be, and how contrary to the views of...
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6. Ministers and loneals with large but well defined powers, laying upon them this duty, which they are constrained honestly. and firmly to perform. To attack them for Acts done in the execution of under such powers and powers and obligations their office, therefore, is not so much to attack the individuals as the Government they represent, and the laws they administer Order. for the maintenance of peace and That Public Servants and Functionaries, to acting within legal limits, are entitled to - protection, is a always been may and any assailant principle which has recognized by Governments; that they me stand between their officers them from either wrong or injury Mere it otherwise indeed, who could be found to administer the laws - Maintain order, tu guard or enforce 7 197 the observance of Treaties? If. If in the legal execution of their duty they rendered - themselves liable to be prosecuted in a. Court, without means of defence, distânt and to be mulcted in ruinous and Vindictive damages, at the suit punished, of and fender who had been justly an Offender suffered. no greater punishment than that assigned by the Law for the offence of which he was convicted; it is evident no one could venture to act.. The legitimate action of every Minister and bonent on whom a Criminal and Civil Jurisdiction has leeen conferred in the East, would. be paralized. deterred from ΟΥ and the boldest cooved be ever effectually seeking to enforce the law, repress disorder. How serious an evil this would be, and how contrary to the views of
2026-05-18 23:02:40 · Baseline
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6.

Ministers and loneals with large but well

defined powers, laying upon them this duty, which

they

are constrained honestly.

and

firmly to perform.

To attack them for Acts done in the execution of

under such powers and

powers and obligations

their office, therefore, is not so much to attack the individuals

as the Government they represent, and the laws they

administer

Order.

for

the maintenance

of peace and

That Public Servants and Functionaries,

to acting within legal limits,

are entitled to

-

protection, is a

always

been

may

and

any

assailant

principle which has

recognized by Governments; that they me

stand between their officers

them from

either wrong or injury

Mere it otherwise indeed, who could be found

to administer the laws - Maintain order,

tu

guard

or enforce

7

197

the observance of Treaties? If.

If in the

legal execution of their duty they rendered - themselves liable to be prosecuted in a.

Court, without means of defence,

distânt

and to be

mulcted in ruinous and Vindictive damages,

at the suit

punished,

of

and

fender who had been justly

an

Offender

suffered.

no

greater punishment

than that assigned by the Law for the offence

of

which he

was convicted; it is evident no one

could venture to act..

The legitimate action of every Minister

and bonent on whom a Criminal and Civil

Jurisdiction has leeen conferred in the East, would. be paralized.

deterred from

ΟΥ

and the boldest cooved be

ever

effectually

seeking to enforce the law,

repress disorder. How serious an evil this

would be, and how contrary to the views of

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