CO129-120 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [1-2] — Page 27

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

Government is little disposed to take upon itself the responsibility of protecting those who have a claim to its protection. On the other hand it undoubtedly recognizes the duty of extending that protection at all times and in all places to those who can establish their claim to it, and I am satisfied that Your Highness will see the expediency of laying a very positive injunction upon the provincial governments to instruct their subordinates.

In no case to proceed further against a prisoner in appearance Chinese who shall declare himself a British Subject, until the Consul whom he declares able to establish his status as such shall have been communicated with.

It can happen but seldom, to judge from past experience, that these Anglo-Chinese will make themselves obnoxious to the Chinese Authorities, and while communication with the Consul can in no case occasion a delay of any importance, very serious complications may be averted by the precaution.

I have only to add that if the Chinese government be of opinion that the difficulty of distinguishing British Subjects as above described, from Chinese...

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2026-05-19 15:19:26 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct

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25 Government is little disposed to take upon itself the responsibility of protecting those who have a claim to its protection. On the other hand it undoubtedly recognizes the duty of extending that protection at all times and in all places to those who can establish their claim to it, and I am satisfied that Your Highness will see the expediency of laying a very positive injunction upon the provincial governments to instruct their subordinates. In no case to proceed further against a prisoner in appearance Chinese who shall declare himself a British Subject, until the Consul whom he declares able to establish his status as such shall have been communicated with. It can happen but seldom, to judge from past experience, that these Anglo-Chinese will make themselves obnoxious to the Chinese Authorities, and while communication with the Consul can in no case occasion a delay of any importance, very serious complications may be averted by the precaution. I have only to add that if the Chinese government be of opinion that the difficulty of distinguishing British Subjects as above described, from Chinese...

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25 Government is little disposed to take upon itsily the responsibility of no title protecting those who have to its protection. On the other. hand it undoubtedly recognizes the duty of extending that protection at all times und in all, l places to those who can establish their claim to it, and I am su sutisfied that Your Highness will see the expediency of laying a very positive injuction upon the provincial yourn ments do instruct their subordinates. in no case to proceed further against a prisoner in appearance. Chinese who shull declare himself a British Subject, until the Consul whom he declures able to establish his status as such shall huve been communicated with. It can happen but seldoms, to judge from past experience that These Anglo-Chinese will make themselves obnoxious to the Chinese Authorities, and while communication with the Consul can in no case occasion a be delay of any importance, very serious complications may averted by the precaution. I have only to add that if the Chinese governme government be of opinion that the difficulty of distinguishing British Subjects us above described, from Chinese

2026-05-19 15:19:26 · Baseline

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Government is little disposed to take upon itsily the responsibility of

no title protecting those who have to its protection. On the other. hand it undoubtedly recognizes the duty of extending that protection at all times und in all,

l places to

those who can establish their

claim to it, and I am su

sutisfied

that Your Highness will see the expediency of laying a very positive injuction upon the provincial yourn

ments do instruct their subordinates.

in no case to proceed further against a prisoner in appearance. Chinese who shull declare himself

British Subject, until the

Consul whom he declures able to

establish his status as such shall

huve been communicated with.

It can happen but seldoms, to judge from past experience that These Anglo-Chinese will make

themselves obnoxious to the Chinese

Authorities, and while communication

with the Consul can in no case

occasion a

delay of any importance, very serious complications may averted by the precaution.

I have

only

to add that if

the Chinese governme

government be of opinion that the difficulty of

distinguishing British Subjects us above described, from Chinese

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