CO129-109 - Public Offices - 1865 — Page 334

Country no objection is made on

that ground, but

it is believed that France would not surrender_

1. French cubject.

that

Dr. Sammont was also pleased to state Your Lordship is prepared with our concurrence to instruel H. M. Minister at Pekin to sudeavor to come to some understanding. with the Chinese foot on this matter, a to record that understanding. Either in the shape of a Reaty or otherwise as may be. found practicable; but that your Lordship. would be glad to receive from

no may suggestion as the exact proposition which it would be expedient to place before the Chinese foot

ted

C

Dr Hammond was also pleased to state that we should observe another question, respecting (hinese witnesses whose evidence is required in cases pending before the (olonial Courts . That the (hinese Authorities do not seems indisposed to allow their attendance; but in Cases when the witnesses are themselves accused of crimes they require a guarantee for their safe return in custody to thing to be dealt with

by

}

332

by (himese law for the crimes laid to their charge.

Mr. Hammond was also pleased to state that as many Considerations on this point might occur to us, your Lordship wishes to have our. opinion upon it.

desired

And that other points might occur to us on the perusel of this correspondence as deserving our attention, as to which your

your Lordship time to invite a full expression of our opinion.

Mr The Sammond was further directed by you Lordslip to state that in dealing with questions of this kind with the Chinese foot it will be "necesary to take into account the feelings prejudices of a peculiar people a to be satuford with obtaining, an Snd without too much sinsisting, on formalitics

In obedience to your Lordship's Commands we have taken this matter into our consideration

have the honor to Report

That we are not entirely agreed upon this case. The Attorney & Solicitor Gent feel. meble to say that upon recognized principles of international law, & M. Gout would be entitled to refuse performance of the 21th Artide of the Treaty of Tientsin

unles