CO129-120 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [1-2] — Page 456

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

last August that Consul Robertson should report for the information of the Secretary of State the treatment subsequently experienced by the west. Largely at the hands of the Chinese Authorities.

In a Despatch (1168) of the 10th last August the Consul reported to the Colonial Secretary that the prisoner "had been examined before the tribunal especially appointed for that purpose, but as he steadily denies the charge of robbery and the Law of the Empire forbids punishment except only on confession, he still lies in prison, and although the Authorities are satisfied of his guilt from the evidence adduced, this rule deprives them of their usual power in such cases of enforcing a declaration of the truth, and so are therefore unable to convict him."

It can scarcely be said that in the instructions framed for my guidance by the Secretary of State the object of the Majesty's Government was simply to prevent a refugee on British soil from being made the victim of any inhuman torture or punishment. It was not intended that a notorious Criminal like Lück-Leang-tee should not merely escape punishment for his atrocious crimes, but that all punishment should be avoided by withholding confession of their guilt to obtain free quarters for life at the expense of the Government when old age had overtaken them.

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last August that Consul Robertson should report for the information of the Secretary of State the treatment subsequently experienced by the west. Largely at the hands of the Chinese Authorities. In a Despatch (1168) of the 10th last August the Consul reported to the Colonial Secretary that the prisoner "had been examined before the tribunal especially appointed for that purpose, but as he steadily denies the charge of robbery and the Law of the Empire forbids punishment except only on confession, he still lies in prison, and although the Authorities are satisfied of his guilt from the evidence adduced, this rule deprives them of their usual power in such cases of enforcing a declaration of the truth, and so are therefore unable to convict him." It can scarcely be said that in the instructions framed for my guidance by the Secretary of State the object of the Majesty's Government was simply to prevent a refugee on British soil from being made the victim of any inhuman torture or punishment. It was not intended that a notorious Criminal like Lück-Leang-tee should not merely escape punishment for his atrocious crimes, but that all punishment should be avoided by withholding confession of their guilt to obtain free quarters for life at the expense of the Government when old age had overtaken them.
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# last August that Consul Robertson should report for the information of the Secretary of State the beatment subsequenity experieused by thwest. Learg tier at the hands of the Chinese Authorities. In a Despatch (1168) of the 10th last August the Consul reported to the Colonial Seculary that the fuisancer " been examined before the tribunal. "had "expecially appointed for that purpose, ت but as he steadily denies the charge of robbery and the Law of the Empire ""forbid, punishment except only " 2 "confefsion, he still lies in furison, and although the Authoritie "of his The all satisfied guilt from the widence addued, guaraules deprives them of their h k{ # usual in such 454 Jenforcing "a declaration of the trish, and sy "therefore unable to convict burn." Insed scarcely pay 6. are that in the instructions framed for my guidance by the Simulary of State the object of the Majesty's Geenument was simply be prevent a refugee on British soil from bring made the vidion of any inhumans الا torture a prunishment. H men A lov intended that nderious Criminal like Ruck-Leang-tee shorte not merely escape alrecious crimes, but all punishment should be malled by reichholding/ confifsion of their guilt to obtain free quarters for life at the expense of the Government when laws day had achraged.
2026-05-19 16:36:43 · Baseline
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#

last August that Consul Robertson should report for the information of the Secretary of State the beatment subsequenity experieused by thwest. Learg tier at the hands of the Chinese Authorities.

In a Despatch (1168) of the 10th last August the Consul reported to the

Colonial Seculary that the

fuisancer

" been examined before the tribunal.

"had

"expecially appointed for that purpose,

ت

but as he steadily denies the charge of robbery and the Law of the Empire

""forbid, punishment except only

"

2

"confefsion, he still lies in furison, and although the Authoritie

"of his

The

all

satisfied

guilt from the widence addued, guaraules deprives them of their

h

k{

#

usual

in such

454

Jenforcing

"a declaration of the trish, and sy

"therefore unable to convict burn."

Insed scarcely pay

6.

are

that in the

instructions framed for my guidance by the Simulary of State the object of the

Majesty's Geenument was simply be

prevent a refugee

on

British soil from

bring made the vidion of any inhumans

الا

torture a prunishment. H

men A lov

intended that nderious Criminal like

Ruck-Leang-tee shorte not merely escape

alrecious crimes,

but

all punishment should be malled by reichholding/ confifsion of their guilt to obtain free quarters for life at the expense of the Government when laws day had achraged.

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