CO129-137 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [4-5] — Page 199

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

196

the short interval between this and that date Your Lordship will perceive from the enclosed opinion of the Attorney General.

Enclosure No. 2

14.

one, and not that he considers it doubtful whether from the wording of the Ordinance I could prohibit the currying of merely all descriptions of munitions of war, which of course would be out of the question.

I am therefore powerless at present to give effect to Your Lordship's suggestion, whilst as to the future there is no doubt that the feeling of the Council and the Community would be entirely opposed to renewing any convention with the Chinese Authorities, which experience had shown would probably be only enforced by ourselves to our own special detriment.

Even if it were possible by straining the Constitution to force a fresh Ordinance through the Council, I trust Your Lordship will agree with me in thinking that this is not one of those cases in which such an extremely unpopular policy could be wisely adopted, as it could probably not now be uttering useful results, though I hope the gradual strengthening of the hands of the Chinese Authorities may enable them to join effectively in some such policy hereafter.

I have the honor to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,

Richard Graves MacDonnell

Governor

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12 196 the short interval between this and that date Your Lordship will perceive from the enclosed opinion of the Attorney General. Enclosure No. 2 14. one, and not that he considers it doubtful whether from the wording of the Ordinance I could prohibit the currying of merely all descriptions of munitions of war, which of course would be out of the question. I am therefore powerless at present to give effect to Your Lordship's suggestion, whilst as to the future there is no doubt that the feeling of the Council and the Community would be entirely opposed to renewing any convention with the Chinese Authorities, which experience had shown would probably be only enforced by ourselves to our own special detriment. Even if it were possible by straining the Constitution to force a fresh Ordinance through the Council, I trust Your Lordship will agree with me in thinking that this is not one of those cases in which such an extremely unpopular policy could be wisely adopted, as it could probably not now be uttering useful results, though I hope the gradual strengthening of the hands of the Chinese Authorities may enable them to join effectively in some such policy hereafter. I have the honor to be, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant, Richard Graves MacDonnell Governor

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12 196 the short interval between this and that date Your Lordship will perceive from to the enclosed opinion of the Attorney General Ente Enclosure No 2 14. (+ one, and not that he considers it doubtful whether from the wording of the Ordinance I could prohibit the currying of merely of all descriptions of munitions of which of course would it present be aut of the question. war doubt 10. I am therefore pawerlejs at present to give effect to Your Lordship's suggestion, whilst as to the future there is no that the feeling of the bouncil and the Community would be entirely sphased renewing any convention with the Chinese Authorities, which experience had shown مال would probably be only enforced by ourselves our own special detriment. Even if it were popible by straining. the Constitution to force a frech Ordinance through the Council I trust Your Lo dohip will aque with me in thinking that this is those cases in which such experically us it would سات not. not one of very extreme and unpopular policy could be wisely adapted, it ixcould probably just now uttaring useful nouit though I hope the gradual no strengthening of the hands of the Chinese enable them to join effectively Authorities may in some such policy hereafter. I have the honor to be, May Lord, Your Landohifi's most obedient, humble, servant, Kechard Frames Mardormell Governor

2026-05-20 03:51:03 · Baseline

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196

the short interval between this and that

date Your Lordship will perceive from

the enclosed opinion of the Attorney General Ente

Enclosure No 2

14.

one, and not

that he considers it doubtful whether from the wording of the Ordinance I could prohibit the currying of merely of all descriptions of munitions of which of course would it present be aut of the question.

war

doubt

10. I am therefore pawerlejs at present to give effect to Your Lordship's suggestion, whilst as to the future there is no that the feeling of the bouncil and the Community would be entirely sphased renewing any

convention with the Chinese Authorities, which experience had shown

مال

would probably be only enforced by ourselves

our own special detriment.

Even if it were popible by straining. the Constitution to force a frech Ordinance through the Council I trust Your Lo dohip will aque

with me in thinking that this is

those cases in which such

experically us it would

سات

not.

not one of

very extreme

and unpopular policy could be wisely adapted,

it ixcould probably just now uttaring useful nouit though I hope the gradual

strengthening of the hands of the Chinese

enable them to join effectively

Authorities

may

in some such policy hereafter.

I have the honor to be,

May Lord,

Your Landohifi's most obedient, humble, servant,

Kechard Frames Mardormell

Governor

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