and secure asylum for thieves and a safe temporary depôt for stolen property. It is possible also that the Chinese Government might cede it to some Foreign Power, and as there is good anchorage there, this contingency ought to be foreseen, and, as I think, prevented.
11. The Island of Laura is however the only one which at present we do not exercise all the rights of actual possession outside of any line drawn from Cape to Cape in Hong Kong, which I think should be annexed to Hong Kong and I have little doubt that the Chinese would readily assent.
12. On that point however I shall confer much with Sir Rutherford Alcock on the utility of securing an right to pursue Criminals from acknowledged shores and waters into Chinese waters. Meantime however the Law Officers are of opinion that the Islands (except Stonecutters Island) having passed with Hong Kong to the British Crown - though that opinion be qualified by the phrase "from the information before us" - is sufficiently startling to induce me without loss of time to bring the subject definitely before Your Grace.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
humble servant,
Richard Graves MacDonnell
Governor.
Page 367
and secure
asyle
sylum for thieves and a safe temporary depôt for stolen propertij. It is possible also that the Chinese-
Government might eide it to some
Foreign Power, and as
there is good
anchorage ihme, this contingency ought to
there, be foresaw, and, as I think, prevented
11.
the
The Island of Laura is however
ent we
enly
Island
a w
which at present
do not evercise all the rights of actival possession outside of any line drawer from Cape to Cape in HongKong, which I thin should be annexed to Hongkong and I have little doubt that the Chime for unment
Chinese would readily absent.
12.
On that point however I shall
confer mich Sir Rutherford Alcas
a
alse or the useofpity of securing an
in salain cases
auth ael
367
right
to pursue Ciminals from
aestnowledged shoes and wabis inte
Chinese waters. Meantime havever the
to no
ofrinier of the Law Offices
as
Islands nocept Stain Cullers Island having
pafed with Hongtong to the British Comer,
- though that opinion be qualified by ite phrase "from the information before us " is sufficiently startling to induce me without lops of time be bring the subject definitionly before You Grace.
Thave the hever to bu
My Lord Duste, Your Grace most dedient
humble seuiant,
Richard Frames Mandorell
Geverer.
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