MINUTE.
Hongkong, 2003 (should be 1873)
Indexed
Answered F.O. 3380/72
119
Sowany Theat 8 March 1873
With reference to your letter of the 16th (presumably "ultimo" or a date is missing),
With respect to the decoying Chinese from this Colony to Macao, or the decoying them from the mainland of China into the Colony with a view to their transmission to Macao for the purposes of Emigration, these offences have already been provided for by a Bill now before the Legislative Council, of which a copy has, I believe, been transmitted to the Secretary of State.
It is unnecessary to say that no British ship can clear out with Chinese Emigrants from Macao; for the British Emigration Officer's Certificate for that purpose cannot be obtained, and without it, the ship would be liable under "The Chinese Passengers' Act, 1855," to seizure and condemnation, and the Master would incur a severe penalty.
The new Bill, therefore, which I have drafted, though general in its terms, and though it makes no allusion to Macao, is practically directed against the building and equipping within the Colony of foreign ships for the purpose of Chinese Emigration from Macao, and it prohibits any participation in such Emigration. It may be considered in the light of a quasi Anti-Slavery Ordinance, and I do not see how the subject can efficiently be dealt with in any other way.
I think it right, however, to state in justice to the Foreign Merchants of the Colony, that although a few vessels intended for the Macao Coolie Trade may, from time to time, have been repaired or altered in the Docks of Public Companies in this Colony, I have been unable to discover, either from my own observation or from the enquiries which I have made, that any but Portuguese or Chinese Firms, or individuals, have any dealings or transactions whatever, which can lay them open to the imputation of partaking in, or profiting by, the Macao Coolie Trade.
The EARL OF KIMBERLEY'S Despatch only reached this Government on the 14th instant, so that the draft of the new Bill is, no doubt, in many respects imperfect, but it will, I trust, be considered to carry out in substance the views and instructions of his Lordship.
HONGKONG, 22nd January, 1873.
JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE, Attorney General.
Mr. Elden & Benche
Mr. Meade.
Mr. Holland.
Mr. Herbert.
Mr. Hugessen.
Lord Kimberley.
Page 2 (detected by "Remind 7.O alance" being likely a page turn)
Directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you copy of a despatch from the Governor of Hongkong with the draft of the Chinese Emigration Ordinance 1873 and a memorandum by the Colonial Attorney General.
I am also to transmit to you copy of ... (text cut off)
It appears to Lord Kimberley that...
7 Slalo
MINUTE.
N
Soul Hanghong
2003
Indexed
Answd F.0.
3380/72
119
Sowany Theat 8 March 1873
With reference
to
your.
letter of the
16 the
With respect to the decoying Chinese from this Colony to Macao, or the decoying them from the mainland of China into the Colony with a view to their transmission to Macao for the purposes of Emigration, these offences have already been provided for by a Bill now before the Legislative Council, of which a copy has, I believe, been transmitted to the Secretary of State.
It is unnecessary to say that no British ship can clear out with Chinese Eini- grants from Macao; for the British Emigration Officer's Certificate for that purpose cannot be obtained, and without it, the ship would be liable under the "The Chinese Passengers' Act, 1855," to seizure and condemnation, and the Master would incur a severe penalty.
The new Bill, therefore, which I have drafted, though general in its terms, and though it makes no allusion to Macao, is practically directed against the building and equipping within the Colony of foreign ships for the purpose of Chinese Emigration from Macao, and it prohibits any participation in such Emigra- tion. It may be considered in the light of a quasi Anti-Slavery Ordinance, and I do not see how the subject can efficiently be dealt with in any other way.
I think it right, however, to state in justice to the Foreign Merchants of the Colony, that although a few vessels intended for the Macao Coolie Trade may from time to time, have been repaired or altered in the Docks of Public Companies in this Colony, I have been unable to discover either from my own observation or from the enquiries which I have made, that any but Portuguese or Chinese Firms, or individuals, have any dealings or transactions whatever, which can lay them open to the imputation of partaking in, or profiting by, the Macao Coolie Trade.
The EARL OF KIMBERLEY'S Despatch only reached this Government on the 14th instant, so that the draft of the new Bill is, no doubt, in many respects imperfect, but it will, I trust, be considered to carry out in substance the views and instruc- tions of his Lordship.
HONGKONG, 22nd January, 1873.
:)
}
Mr. Efden & Benche
Mr. Meade.
Mr. Holland.
Mr. Herbert. & kely Mr. Hugessen.
Lord Kimberley.
JULIAN PAUNCEFOTE, Attorney General.
Remind 7.0 alance
WTH
15/4
MA.
;
of Nod. I
Directed by the Earl of Kimberley to Tranumit lepitud to you copy of a
from the Governor of Hanghong with the draft of the Chimère Emigration ordinance
1273
and a
merse
randum byth Colorine attorney general
I am also to towns
:mmitte
you copy of
minatly to 5.67
It appears to Lord Kimberley Matthe
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.