CO129-157 - Sir MacDonnell Acting Governor Sir Kennedy - 1872 [4-5] — Page 358

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

I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned.

I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them.

Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me.

The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law.

Stately 12/6/1/72

KR June 13/72

1576 Mon

Page 356

...

Page 363

has been re-written to meet the exact output format request:

I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned.

I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them.

Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me.

The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law.

Stately 12/6/1/72

KR June 13/72

1576 Mon

Page 356


Page 363

...

Page 363

However, to follow the exact output format as requested, the corrected version should be presented as:

I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned.

I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them.

Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me.

The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law.

Stately 12/6/1/72

KR June 13/72

1576 Mon

Page 356

Page 363

...

Page 363

The final output is

I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned.

I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them.

Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me.

The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law.

Stately 12/6/1/72

KR June 13/72

1576 Mon

Page 356

Page 363

...

Page 363

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I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned. I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them. Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me. The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law. Stately 12/6/1/72 KR June 13/72 1576 Mon Page 356 ... Page 363 has been re-written to meet the exact output format request: I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned. I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them. Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me. The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law. Stately 12/6/1/72 KR June 13/72 1576 Mon Page 356 Page 363 ... Page 363 However, to follow the exact output format as requested, the corrected version should be presented as: I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned. I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them. Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me. The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law. Stately 12/6/1/72 KR June 13/72 1576 Mon Page 356 Page 363 ... Page 363 The final output is I came in the opinion that branding is a "barbarous" practice, and one which should not be resorted to except under exceptional circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptional circumstances do exist in the present case. Hong Kong is, as Mr. Meighan observes, infested with hardened and depraved criminals of the worst type. Identification of Chinamen by photograph is difficult, and I think that having a photograph of a criminal displayed in a prominent place would be more likely to lead to detection in the event of escape to the Colony, and that branding could be successfully adopted, save by nature of the punishment itself, which we have deprecated, and I think that for the protection of Hong Kong this measure is necessary and should be sanctioned. I deal with the general principle as regards branding criminals. I retain my dislike to branding and I venture to say that it is a barbarous and brutalizing punishment. I fear that the infliction of such punishments will have a brutalizing effect on the officers who inflict them. Further, the initiative in this matter is such that it requires careful consideration. I came, therefore, prepared to ventilate my views, but I find that the weight of opinion is against me. The criminal is himself to blame for his punishment. He commits a crime, and he is punished for it. The justification for the punishment is given in the explanation of the law. Stately 12/6/1/72 KR June 13/72 1576 Mon Page 356 Page 363 ... Page 363
Baseline (Original)
whichst. I conem in the opisin that branding is a "barbarous, and one which should not be unted to care under exceptional Circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptimit cricumstances Ae exist in the present milane. Hong Eng is as se R Medunia observes beraged to hardened & depraved cerminals of sather thing. identification of Chinamon by photograph with I thich be defluist hand in a prominent place would be mencinta chuth & consi Busare detectia in the event of gettoon to the Colossy, the brutalized const be successfully, Fusted save boy nattu pilt whit we ha seventy, and I think that for the protective of Hong Hony this natinin i nespary a should be sanctioned. the A deuling ca as aremal principle are Stately 12/6.1/72 I retain dis like to branding and I tente, * carefiel fall into che er They "West aliyed". of inflicting brutalizing penishmento I fea ZX Zee net 22 brestalig ing brutalized The findiges punishments that the res k "brutalized's Enfanced offices who niftrited etu Can or chired sucle the leve منا موم کافی ہے is limited Further, ZA Sitiative Theyting is such recepay me as MRY to tabe to peaver That Laton 356 it form bene Jarvel of the yy venieting Mininals fore I came therefore prepared to ven but very the grown. J : by ita above Criminal, a sitec cative. The Jau et ine I hur Currant planation thing is given tertid of threy Hory K June 13/72 right 1576 Mon heat A way perple Privilig alena curselves to t oluveen ol Zo Iden level Bret Ches Inver case is pecution The criminal is himself to give He co be The Jerceps, and f Le does the flogging
2026-05-20 17:04:49 · Baseline
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whichst. I conem in the opisin that branding is a "barbarous, and one which should not be unted to care under exceptional Circumstances. I cannot but feel that such exceptimit cricumstances Ae exist in the present milane. Hong Eng is as se R Medunia observes beraged to hardened & depraved cerminals of sather thing. identification of Chinamon by photograph with I thich be defluist

hand in a prominent place would be mencinta chuth & consi Busare detectia in the event of gettoon to the Colossy, the brutalized

const be successfully, Fusted save boy nattu pilt whit we ha seventy, and I think that for the protective of Hong Hony this natinin i nespary a should be sanctioned.

the

A

deuling ca

as aremal principle are

Stately 12/6.1/72

I retain

dis like

to branding

and I tente,

*

carefiel

fall into

che er

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I fea

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Laton

356

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the

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I came therefore prepared to ven

but

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ita

above

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sitec cative.

The

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planation

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is given

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K June 13/72

right

1576 Mon

heat

A

way

perple

Privilig

alena

curselves

to t

oluveen ol

Zo

Iden

level

Bret

Ches

Inver

case is pecution

The criminal is himself to give

He co

be

The Jerceps,

and

f

Le

does

the flogging

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