CO129-099 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [6-8] — Page 340

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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336

Government. That Government however is so helpless in the matter that weak and helpless we are in self defence compelled to take upon ourselves the duty of capturing pirates in the neighbourhood of this Colony. We cannot remain inactive and allow pirates to blockade our harbour, and prey upon the native craft frequenting it, even if the offences are committed in Chinese waters, and the vessels captured do not belong to the Colony.

But because we are obliged to take upon ourselves a task which by right belongs to the Chinese Government it does not seem to me to follow by any means as a matter of course that we are bound to burden ourselves in addition with the punishment and custody of the offenders captured, especially if it can be shown that by so doing we but encourage the evil which we seek to abate. And I think that the burden would be altogether beyond our strength if vigorous measures were undertaken for the suppression of piracy upon the coast east and west within, say fifty miles of this Colony.

The whole Colonial revenue in such a case would be insufficient to house and keep the pirates who might be captured.

The Chinese Courts of law are besides in many respects far better fitted than ours for dealing with piracy as it exists in this Country. The Chinese Authorities understand their own people,

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336 Government. That Government however is so helpless in the matter that weak and helpless we are in self defence compelled to take upon ourselves the duty of capturing pirates in the neighbourhood of this Colony. We cannot remain inactive and allow pirates to blockade our harbour, and prey upon the native craft frequenting it, even if the offences are committed in Chinese waters, and the vessels captured do not belong to the Colony. But because we are obliged to take upon ourselves a task which by right belongs to the Chinese Government it does not seem to me to follow by any means as a matter of course that we are bound to burden ourselves in addition with the punishment and custody of the offenders captured, especially if it can be shown that by so doing we but encourage the evil which we seek to abate. And I think that the burden would be altogether beyond our strength if vigorous measures were undertaken for the suppression of piracy upon the coast east and west within, say fifty miles of this Colony. The whole Colonial revenue in such a case would be insufficient to house and keep the pirates who might be captured. The Chinese Courts of law are besides in many respects far better fitted than ours for dealing with piracy as it exists in this Country. The Chinese Authorities understand their own people,
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8. 336 Government. That Government however is so helpless in the matter that weak and helpless we are in self defence compelled to latte upon ourselves the duty of Capturing pirates in the neighbourhood of this Colony. Whe cannot remain inactive and allow pirates to blockade our harbour, and prey upon the native craft frequenting it, even if if the offences are Committed in chinese waters, and the vessels captured do not belong to the But because we are this Colony. obliged to tatie upon ourselves a task which by right belongs to the Chinese Government it does not seem to me follow by any means to ollow as a matter of course that we are bound to burden anselves in addition with the punishment and Custody of the offenders Captured, especially if it can be shown that by om doing so we but the evil which may encourage we seek to abato. And I and that the burden would be altogether beyond our stringth if vigorous measures were undertaken for the suppression of piracy upon the Coast East and Weat within. say fifty Miles of this leatomy The whole leolonial revenue in such to house and Case would insufficient Keep the pirates who might be captured १ The Chinese Courts of law are besides in many respects for better fitted than ouro for dealing with exists in this Country. piracy as it The Chinese Anthorities understand their own people,
2026-05-19 06:57:12 · Baseline
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8.

336

Government. That Government however

is so

helpless in the matter that

weak and helpless

we are

in self defence

compelled to latte upon ourselves the duty of Capturing pirates in the neighbourhood of this Colony. Whe

cannot remain inactive and allow pirates

to blockade our

harbour, and prey upon

the native craft frequenting it, even if

if the

offences

are Committed in chinese waters, and

the vessels captured do not belong to the But because we are this

Colony.

obliged to tatie upon ourselves a task which

by right belongs to the Chinese Government

it does not seem to me

follow

by any means

to

ollow as a matter of course that we are bound to burden anselves in addition with

the punishment and Custody of the

offenders Captured, especially if it can be

shown that

by om doing

so

we

but

the evil which

may

encourage

we seek to abato. And I

and that the burden would be

altogether beyond our

stringth if vigorous

measures were undertaken for the suppression

of piracy upon the Coast East and Weat within. say fifty Miles of this leatomy

The whole leolonial revenue in such

to house and

Case would

insufficient

Keep the pirates who might be captured

१

The Chinese Courts

of law

are

besides in many respects for better fitted

than ouro

for dealing with

exists in this Country.

piracy as it The Chinese

Anthorities understand their

own

people,

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