CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3] — Page 205

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

201

Government to undertake the grave responsibility and great expense of dealing with a class of Criminals essentially Chinese, in nine cases out of ten could be satisfactorily disposed of by Chinese authorities having ready access and means of both discovering and compelling the attendance of necessary witnesses. It seems to me an unfair deduction that because the British Government assists that of China in clearing Chinese waters of Pirates, such assistance is not merely unrequited but is to become the cause of serious subsequent expense and inconvenience to this Colony.

I observe that the difficulty of procuring evidence, was foreseen and anticipated in the Duke of Buckingham's despatch, and in his reply to me, His Grace informs me that Her Majesty's Government is actually communicating with that of Peking with a view to making arrangements for the production here of the evidence necessary in such cases.

8. I apprehend that the fact of such negotiations for the transport of witnesses requires a great quantity of additional correspondence with its unavoidable interruptions and delays which would attend the trial of almost all such criminals, together with the double production of the witnesses before the Committing Magistrate in the first place and before the Supreme Court.

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201 Government to undertake the grave responsibility and great expense of dealing with a class of Criminals essentially Chinese, in nine cases out of ten could be satisfactorily disposed of by Chinese authorities having ready access and means of both discovering and compelling the attendance of necessary witnesses. It seems to me an unfair deduction that because the British Government assists that of China in clearing Chinese waters of Pirates, such assistance is not merely unrequited but is to become the cause of serious subsequent expense and inconvenience to this Colony. I observe that the difficulty of procuring evidence, was foreseen and anticipated in the Duke of Buckingham's despatch, and in his reply to me, His Grace informs me that Her Majesty's Government is actually communicating with that of Peking with a view to making arrangements for the production here of the evidence necessary in such cases. 8. I apprehend that the fact of such negotiations for the transport of witnesses requires a great quantity of additional correspondence with its unavoidable interruptions and delays which would attend the trial of almost all such criminals, together with the double production of the witnesses before the Committing Magistrate in the first place and before the Supreme Court.
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b.. 201 Goverment to undulate the grave responsibility and great expense of dealing with a clap of Criminals esentially Chinese, in nine cases out of ten could satisfactorily disposed of by Chinese and who be more to bourts having ready arcefs" and means of both discovering and compelling compelling the attendance nerepury witnesses. It sums to me " of the necessary aw unfair deduction that because the British Government apists that of China in clearing Chinese watero exceps of duty to remain ow ou of Pirates, such -part is not merely unrequited but to become the Cause of Siriaus subsequent expense inconvenience to this balony. and I observe that the difficuity of procuring evidence, to foreseen and in such cases in the Duke of Buckingham's anticipated in now despatch Grace informis under me His reply for that Her Majesty's Goverment is actually communicating with that of Scking with a view to makking arrangements for the production here of the evidence necepury in such cases. 8. Iapprehend that the fact of such negotiations for the transport bring gequires of uitrepes and the quantity of additional uncopondence with its unavoidable interruptions and delays which would attend the trial of almost all such criminals, together with the double production of the uitrepes before the Committing Magistrate in the first place and before the Supreme Court
2026-05-20 02:46:45 · Baseline
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b..

201

Goverment to undulate the

grave

responsibility and great expense of dealing with a clap of Criminals esentially Chinese,

in nine cases out of ten could satisfactorily disposed of by Chinese

and who

be

more

to

bourts having ready arcefs" and means of both discovering and compelling

compelling the attendance

nerepury witnesses. It sums to me

" of the necessary

aw

unfair deduction that because the

British Government apists that of China in clearing Chinese watero

exceps of duty

to remain

ow ou

of

Pirates, such

-part is not merely unrequited but to become the

Cause of Siriaus subsequent expense inconvenience to this balony.

and

I observe that the difficuity of procuring evidence, to foreseen and

in such cases

in the Duke of Buckingham's

anticipated in

now

despatch Grace informis

under

me

His

reply for that Her Majesty's

Goverment is actually communicating with that of Scking with a view to makking arrangements for the production here of the evidence necepury in such

cases.

8. Iapprehend that the fact of such negotiations for the transport

bring gequires of uitrepes

and the

quantity of additional uncopondence with its unavoidable interruptions and delays which would attend the trial of almost all such criminals, together with the double production of the uitrepes before the Committing Magistrate in the first place and before the Supreme Court

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