CO129-160 - Public Offices - 1872 — Page 408

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

It should be borne in mind that the queue is the distinguishing mark of subjection to the Manchu Dynasty.

It is at the same time laid down in the Notification of Oct. 1868, that no Anglo-Chinese shall be required to observe any rite or custom where slight ceremony would admit that he was a subject of the Emperor of China.

I shall not be able, without further correspondence with the Consuls, to decide what change of costume must be enforced. I have pointed out to the Grand Secretary that a change of the kind may prove a defence to the Chinese Government against such an offence as the evasion of duty, and a safeguard in time of trouble. At Shanghai, for instance, in 1853-5, many of the Taiping rebels assumed a garb in which they were not to be distinguished from Portuguese or Manila half-breeds.

This was, of course, to the great embarrassment of the Authorities. I shall act on behalf of their men in the spirit of the instructions I have issued. I shall direct the Consuls to be vigilant in protecting the persons & property of Singaporeans or others at the ports where they are satisfied of the validity of their status as British Subjects, but to remind them, when Chinese, travelling in the interior, that it is simply impossible to guarantee them against molestation to which any native Chinese may be subjected.

If the matter be one of grievous bodily harm, I shall not fail to...

Page 406

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It should be borne in mind that the queue is the distinguishing mark of subjection to the Manchu Dynasty. It is at the same time laid down in the Notification of Oct. 1868, that no Anglo-Chinese shall be required to observe any rite or custom where slight ceremony would admit that he was a subject of the Emperor of China. I shall not be able, without further correspondence with the Consuls, to decide what change of costume must be enforced. I have pointed out to the Grand Secretary that a change of the kind may prove a defence to the Chinese Government against such an offence as the evasion of duty, and a safeguard in time of trouble. At Shanghai, for instance, in 1853-5, many of the Taiping rebels assumed a garb in which they were not to be distinguished from Portuguese or Manila half-breeds. This was, of course, to the great embarrassment of the Authorities. I shall act on behalf of their men in the spirit of the instructions I have issued. I shall direct the Consuls to be vigilant in protecting the persons & property of Singaporeans or others at the ports where they are satisfied of the validity of their status as British Subjects, but to remind them, when Chinese, travelling in the interior, that it is simply impossible to guarantee them against molestation to which any native Chinese may be subjected. If the matter be one of grievous bodily harm, I shall not fail to... Page 406

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1 It should be borne in mind that the trusure is the distinguishing mark of subjection to the manchen It is at the same time Dynasty laid down in the Notification of Oct. 1868, that no Anglo Camere shall be required tobserve any or custom where lighe Ceremmy would admit that he was a Subject of the Emperor of thiña. Ishall not be alle, wittent that-a There are the complications Otter Care, & further corresp?" with the Canals A decide what chang prostume huust be enforced. Thave pointed out to the Grand Szeretary change of the kind may prove a defence to the Chinesa Gost against such an offence as the Evasion of dution thram a danger in time ftrouble. At- Shanghai for instance in 1853-5 Many 406 many of the breaking rebels assumed a garb in which they were not to be distinguished from Portuguese or Manilla hall breeds. x a of course to the great embarrassment of the Authorities. Incantile I shall act toward behalf of theirmen in the spirit of the tstruction Shane issued. Ishall direct the (avuls to be rigilant in protecting the persons & property of Singaporeans or others at the ports where they are satisfied of ther talidity of their staten as British Subjects, but to remind them, when Chimere, travelling in the interior as it is simply impossible to guarantee them ainst Molestation to which against any native (imere may be subjected. If the inatter be one glifeordrate or of grievous bodil harm, Ishall not allms

2026-05-20 22:19:00 · Baseline

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It should be borne in mind that the trusure is the distinguishing mark of subjection to the manchen

It is at the same time

Dynasty

laid down in the Notification of Oct. 1868, that no Anglo Camere shall be required tobserve any or custom where lighe Ceremmy would admit that he was a

Subject of the Emperor of thiña.

Ishall not be alle, wittent

that-a

There are the complications Otter Care, & further corresp?" with the Canals A decide what chang prostume huust be enforced. Thave pointed

out to the Grand Szeretary change of the kind may prove a defence to the Chinesa Gost against such an offence as the Evasion of dution thram a danger in time ftrouble. At- Shanghai for instance in 1853-5

Many

406

many of the breaking rebels assumed a garb in which they were not to be distinguished from Portuguese or Manilla hall breeds.

x a

of course to the great embarrassment of the Authorities. Incantile I shall act toward

behalf of theirmen in the spirit of the tstruction Shane issued. Ishall direct the (avuls to be rigilant in protecting the persons & property of Singaporeans or others at the ports where they are satisfied of ther talidity of their staten as British Subjects, but to remind them, when Chimere, travelling in the interior as it is simply impossible to guarantee

them

ainst Molestation to which

against

any native (imere may be subjected.

If the inatter be one

glifeordrate or

of grievous bodil harm, Ishall not

allms

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