CO129-110 - Others - 1865 — Page 503

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed
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My Legal Adviser was wanted in China and Japan. I have proposed to the Foreign Office, first through Sir Rutherford Alcock and afterwards through Sir Fred". Bruce, more than one scheme to supply the staff, the adoption of either of which would necessarily supercede functions of Legal Adviser to these two Embassies and deprive me of my yearly salaries of £250 and £100. The Foreign Office adopted a scheme not differing materially from one of those which I proposed. Your dispatch of the 5th of February last to the Acting Governor of Hong Kong communicated to me the fact of the termination of my duties and salaries by the Foreign Office appointment of the Judge. I expressed my satisfaction at the change on the 31st of March last to the Acting Colonial Secretary, terms which (as expressly devoted it) were doubtless forwarded to You in the Despatch sent home next after that date.

During my tenure of Office very delicate and serious questions arose in reference to American belligerent and other claims, the disgraceful Cooke traffic, and our relations with the Philippine and Macao Governments; on these I gave opinions, some were questioned, but all were sustained.

I was placed in a most difficult position owing to loyalty at once to the administrative and Judicial, traditionally rival, departments of Government. I had to arrange differences between others, sustain my own independence and have received the expressions of general approval from the Governor and the Chief Justice as well as of the good feeling of the general Community.

I know the supreme importance of renewing frequently, as practicable, official Life in the Colonies with new elements from home. I am bound therefore to add that if a Gentleman fresh from active Bar life were preferred to me, I should be without much disappointment, hoping that it would be for the benefit of a Colony with which I must ever associate very many practical reminiscences.

I have the honor to be Your very obedient and humble Servant, John Smale, Acty. Chief Justice

Page 493

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## My Legal Adviser was wanted in China and Japan. I have proposed to the Foreign Office, first through Sir Rutherford Alcock and afterwards through Sir Fred". Bruce, more than one scheme to supply the staff, the adoption of either of which would necessarily supercede functions of Legal Adviser to these two Embassies and deprive me of my yearly salaries of £250 and £100. The Foreign Office adopted a scheme not differing materially from one of those which I proposed. Your dispatch of the 5th of February last to the Acting Governor of Hong Kong communicated to me the fact of the termination of my duties and salaries by the Foreign Office appointment of the Judge. I expressed my satisfaction at the change on the 31st of March last to the Acting Colonial Secretary, terms which (as expressly devoted it) were doubtless forwarded to You in the Despatch sent home next after that date. During my tenure of Office very delicate and serious questions arose in reference to American belligerent and other claims, the disgraceful Cooke traffic, and our relations with the Philippine and Macao Governments; on these I gave opinions, some were questioned, but all were sustained. I was placed in a most difficult position owing to loyalty at once to the administrative and Judicial, traditionally rival, departments of Government. I had to arrange differences between others, sustain my own independence and have received the expressions of general approval from the Governor and the Chief Justice as well as of the good feeling of the general Community. I know the supreme importance of renewing frequently, as practicable, official Life in the Colonies with new elements from home. I am bound therefore to add that if a Gentleman fresh from active Bar life were preferred to me, I should be without much disappointment, hoping that it would be for the benefit of a Colony with which I must ever associate very many practical reminiscences. I have the honor to be Your very obedient and humble Servant, John Smale, Acty. Chief Justice Page 493
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a M un my Legal isseteor was wanted in China and Japon I hestre proposed to the Forage Office fust through Ser Rutherford Alcock and oftenvords through Sir Fred". Bruce more then one scheur to supply the start, the adoption of either of which would necessanty supercede functions of Legal Adviser to these two Embassies and deprive we of my yearly solanes of £250 and £100. The Foreign Office adoßsled a Schama not differing materially from one of those which I proposed. Your dispatch of the 5th of February Lach to the Acting Governor of Hong Kong communicated to me the fact of the termination of my duties and Salanes by the Foreign Office appointment of the Judge. Sexpressed my satisfaction at the Change the 31th of March last to the Acting Colonial Sonctury terms, which as expressly deoved it) were doubtless four arded to You un the Despatch sent home next after that date. in Hand in a Letter dated During my tenure of Office very delicate and serious questions arose in reference to Amencon belligerent and other claims the disgraceful Cooke traffic and our relations with the Philippine مسه 493 and Macao Governments; on there I gave opinions, some avere questioned, but all were sustained I was placed in a most difficult position owing Loyalty at once to the administrative and Indicial, traditionally rival, department gard future i Of Government. I had the arrange differences between others - sustain my own independence and have receives the expressions of gen late this will from the Gover and the Justice as well as of the good, reeling of the geveral Communiti AA I know the supreme importance of renewing frequently as procte tropical as practicable to prese official Life in the Colonies with new element from home, I am brend therefore to add that if ه " Gentleman fresh from active Bar life hen were prefered to me, I'should be without much dis afferantinent, hoping that turned be for the benefit of a Colony with which i" must wer assouate very many pratique remines cances "I have the honor to the be Your very obedient and humble Ervant John Smale Acty. Arna [ EX Kong
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a

M

un my

Legal isseteor was wanted in China and Japon I hestre proposed to the Forage Office fust through Ser Rutherford Alcock and oftenvords through Sir Fred". Bruce more then one scheur to supply the start, the adoption of either of which would necessanty supercede functions of Legal Adviser to these two Embassies and deprive we of my yearly solanes of £250 and £100. The Foreign Office adoßsled a Schama not differing materially from one of those which I proposed. Your dispatch of the 5th

of February Lach to the Acting Governor of Hong Kong communicated to me the fact of the termination of my duties and Salanes by the Foreign Office appointment of the Judge. Sexpressed my satisfaction at the Change the 31th of March last to the Acting Colonial Sonctury terms, which as expressly deoved it) were doubtless four arded to You un the Despatch sent home next after that date.

in

Hand

in a Letter dated

During my tenure of Office very delicate and serious questions arose in reference to Amencon belligerent and other claims

the disgraceful Cooke traffic

and our relations with the Philippine

مسه

493

and Macao Governments; on there I gave opinions, some avere questioned, but all were sustained

I was placed in a most difficult position owing Loyalty at once to the administrative and Indicial, traditionally rival, department

gard future i Of Government. I had the arrange differences between others -

sustain

my own independence and have receives the expressions of gen

late this

will from the Gover

and the

Justice as well as of the good, reeling of the

geveral Communiti

AA

I know the supreme importance of renewing frequently as procte

tropical as practicable to prese official Life in the Colonies with new element from home, I am brend therefore to add that if

ه

" Gentleman fresh from active Bar life hen were prefered to me, I'should be without much dis afferantinent, hoping that turned be for the benefit of a Colony with which i" must wer assouate very many pratique remines cances

"I have the honor to the

be

Your very obedient and humble Ervant

John Smale Acty. Arna

[

EX

Kong

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