Extract - Hong Kong Telegraph
July 25 1857
186
you
any
may conceive themselves in any way aggrieved by an admonition of the Governor. I am also to remind you that an inaccurate account of the proceedings described in the printed papers relating to the late event had already been published in the locality.
I am to assure you that this knowledge is at variance with the opinion that the course you were advised to take is quite unnecessary to vindicate your high character or to protect your position in the public service.
I have …
(Signed) Frederick Stewart,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
…
HONGKONG, 25TH July, 1881.
Several rumours have reached us during the last few days that certain remarks which appeared in our article on Chinese Emigration to Australia, in the Telegraph of the 12th instant, have given offence to Captain Thomsett, and one of his subordinates in the Emigration department. It would appear that these gentlemen consider that our observations reflect unfairly on them as officers of the Government. We gladly avail ourselves of this opportunity to assure Captain Thomsett and the Portuguese gentleman (whose name we have not the pleasure of knowing), that nothing was further from our intention, than that our remarks should be so construed as to reflect in the slightest degree either on the Emigration Officer or his clerk.
Captain Thomsett is well-known as an officer of high character and distinguished ability, and the eminent services he rendered his country in the Royal Navy for a period of over 21 years, have been equalled by the admirable and efficient manner in which he has served the Colonial Government in Hongkong, as Harbour-Master, Marine Magistrate, and Customs Officer since 1861.
In the article which is said to have given offence, we expressed the opinion to the effect "that the emigration officer's examination (of the Chinese emigrants in the Glamis Castle), was a thorough farce, must be patent to every one who knows anything of the manner in which these sham examinations are conducted"; but we utterly disclaim any intention on our part that this should be construed as a reflection either on the character or competency of Captain Thomsett, as a matter of fact, we distinctly stated that the Governor was the officer who was responsible for the existence of a state of affairs, which we had good reasons for believing, were not satisfactory.
We unreservedly withdraw everything which Captain Thomsett may consider an imputation against himself as a private gentleman, and as a Government Officer, stated or implied; and in doing this unsolicited, we are simply performing an act of justice to a public servant, who as Emigration Officer, we are fully convinced, has always performed his duties, according to his lights, faithfully, honestly, and to the best of his ability.
Captain Thomsett cannot be held responsible for the existence of the present state of affairs with regard to the examination of emigrants, however unsatisfactory and imperfect the system may be. The Government, and not any individual colonial officer, is solely responsible.
As there can be little doubt that emigration from this port to the colonies and other places has been tainted with many evils, it is incumbent on the Government to see that all examinations are conducted with a strictness to defy imposition in any shape or form; and this, we think, can only be properly done by an officer who understands the Chinese language, and whose time is not taken up with other, and more important duties.
Captain Thomsett, we are informed, does not speak Chinese, and we know that, as Harbour Master, Marine Magistrate, and Customs Officer, he is one of the most hard worked officials in the Government service; and it is on these grounds, and on these grounds alone, that we consider a change in the Emigration Department would be beneficial to the public service.
With special reference to the Portuguese clerk, of whom we said: "whose honorarium from the state hardly places him in the position assigned to Cæsar's wife," we need only state that we wished to draw the attention of the Government to the fact, that at times very important duties were entrusted to a miserably paid clerk, instead of to a highly paid and responsible officer, whose position would place him beyond the breath of suspicion; and that we had no intention of imputing improper motives to a gentleman whose position was his misfortune, not his fault, and who for aught we know to the contrary, may be a paragon of Government servants for trustworthiness, and efficiency.
It is our desire to conduct this journal honourably, and impartially, in the interests of the public. Government servants, as well as other public men, are always amenable to fair criticism. Beyond that we do not wish to go, and we rather desire to err on the side of leniency. But in even the most carefully edited newspapers, a phrase or expression will at times creep in unnoticed which may tend to injure, or give offence. In all such cases, we ask our friends who feel aggrieved to lose no time in stating their grievance, as we shall ever be ready to acknowledge our errors, as we shall be to lend our aid to put down abuses of every description.
Q.
Extract - H Kong Telegrapch
July 25 1857
186
you
any
may conceive theirselves in way aggrieved by an admonition af of the Gavernav. Iain also to remind that an in accurate account af the proerdings described in the printed papers relating to the planis lea ette had already been published in the leatory.
1. Fam to assure you that this kvolleney
is at apinion that the
course you were advised to take is
quite unnecessary
to uindicate your
high character or to protect your position in the public series.
I have t
(Signed) Arederick Stewart,
Reting bolonial Secretary.
que lespy
Itthonkite Nu
Marber Master. te
HONGKONG, 25TH Jour, 1881.
Several rumours have reached us during the last few days that certain remarks which appeared in our art- iclo on Chinese Emigration to Aus- tralia, in the Telegraph of the 12th instant, have given offence to Cap: tain Thomsett, and one of his sub- ordinates in the Emigration depart- ment. It would appear that these gentlemen consider that our obsery- ations reflect unfairly on them as officers of the Government. We gladly avail ourselves of this oppor- tunity to assure Captain Thomsett aud
the Portuguese gentleman (whose name we have not the plea- sure of knowing), that nothing was further from our intention, than that our remarks should be so construed as to reflect in the slightest degree either on the Emigration Officer or his clerk. Captain Thomsett is well- known as an officer of high character and distinguished ability, and the eminent services he rendered his country in the Royal Navy for a period of over 21 years, have been equalled by the admirable and efficient manner in which he has served the Colonial Government in Hongkong, as Harbour-Master, Marine Magis- trate, and Customs Officer since 1861. In the article which is said to have hazarded an given offence, we opinion to the effect "that the em- igration officer's examination (of the Chinese emigrants in the Glamis Castle), was a thorough farce, must he patent to every one who knows anything of the manner in which these shum examinations are con- ducted"; but we utterly disclaim any intention on our part that this should be construed as a reflection cither on the character or compet-
As ai ency of Captain Thomsett, matter of fact, we distinctly stated that the Governor was the officer who was responsible for the exist- ence of a state of affairs, which we
had good reasons for believing, were not satisfactory. We unreservedly withdraw everything which Captain Thomsett may consider an imputa- tion against himself as a private gentleman, and as a Government Officer, stated or implied; and in doing this unsolicited, we are simply performing an act of justice to a public servant, who as Emigration Officer, we are fully convinced, has always performed his duties, accord- ing to his lights, faithfully, honestly,
and to the best of his ability. Captain Thomsett cannot be held responsible for the existence of the present state of affairs with regard to the examina- tion of emigrants, however unsatis- factory and imperfect the system may be. The Government, and not any individual colonial officer, is solely responsible. As there can be little doubt that emigration from this port to the colonies and other places has been tainted with many evils, it is incumbent on the Government to see that all examinations are conducted with a strictness to defy imposition in any shape or form; and this, we think, can only be properly done by an officer who understands the Chi- nese language, and whose time is not taken up with other, and more im- portant duties. Captain Thomsett, we are informed, does not speak Chinese, and we know that, as Harbour Master, Marine Magistrate, and Customs Officer, he is one of the most hard worked officials in the Gov- ernment service; and it is on these grounds, and on these grounds alone, that we consider a change in the Emigration Department would be beneficial to the public service.
With special reference to the Por- tuguese clerk, of whom we said: "whose honorarium from the state hardly places him in the position assigned to Cæsar's wife," we need only state that we wished to draw the attention of the Government to the fact, that at times very important duties were entrusted to a miserably paid clerk, instead of to a highly paid and responsible officer, whose position would place him beyond the breath of suspicion; and that we had no intention of imputing improper motives to a gentleman whose position was his misfortune, not his fault, and who for aught we know to the contrary, may be a paragon of Government servants for trustworthi- ness, and efficiency.
It is our desire to conduct this journal honorably, and impartially, in the interests of the public. Gov- ernment servants, as well as other public men, are always amenable to fair criticism. Beyond that we do not wish to go, and we rather desire to err on the side of leniency. But in even the most carefully edited newspapers, a phrase or expression will at times creep in unnoticed which may tend to injure, or give offence. In all such cases, we ask our friends who feel aggrieved to lose no time in stating their griev- ance, as we shall ever be ready to acknowledge our errors, as we shall be to lend our aid to put down abuses of every description,
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