CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11] — Page 32

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DESPATCH.

32

NOTES ON THE TRIAL, REGINA v. LOGAN.

ous offence. As it is I must confess, looking at the evidence which has been given, and looking at the circumstances under which you killed this Chinese boy, and possibly inflicted great injury to others; looking at all these circumstances and finding as I do that you did not in this case act in self-defence, I should not be doing my duty if I do not pass a heavy sentence upon you. The sentence of the court is that you be kept to penal servitude for seven years.

Logan will probably be brought to Hongkong to serve out his sentence, as the long sentence prisoners from the coast ports usually do. There is no accommodation in Canton, as the Consular Prison there is simply one large apartment on the ground floor of one of the Consulate buildings.

Most effective means were taken to isolate the jury from the outer world, for they were prisoners during the whole trial, being escorted to and from the court and their quarters in one of the consular buildings, and they did not leave the premises of the British Consulate during the entire trial. With regard to the means taken to prevent communication between the Chinese witnesses and the court, the arrangements were hardly so satisfactory. The witnesses were kept in another of the consular buildings under the charge of a Chinese attendant of the Consulate, who contented himself with taking a seat outside the door in front, but as there were many other means of conveying messages and intelligence of the course being taken in the Court this was very imperfect. A Chinaman was in court the whole time taking notes of the Chinese evidence, which notes he passed out of one of the windows of the court, and with regard to where these papers went to, there were rumours afloat of an unsatisfactory character. It was also most undesirable that a crowd of the hangers-on of the Tantai should be hanging round the door of the Court, constantly leaving and returning, Mr. Ball, while interpreting to one witness, heard a hiss from one of those doors, but as his back was to the door, he did not see the author though there were some in the court who said they saw it done by an individual who has taken an active part in getting up the case.

Canton, 28th September, 1883.

The trial of Logan is still the chief matter of interest here. It has lasted longer than was anticipated at first, the prosecution only having been completed after three days' sittings. On each occasion the Court has been well filled with the public, many having sat through the hearing as far as it has gone. Now that Johnson has given his evidence, I understand he will be released, his Consul, Mr. Popoff, the Russian Consul at Foochow, having heard the evidence all through, and being satisfied that the man has been already punished sufficiently, by his confinement for a month and a half at the consulate before the trial, for all that he may have done on the morning of the fatal affray. Neilson, having left the place, cannot be called as a witness though his evidence might go a good way towards clearing up some points upon which the testimony given has been contradictory. The rest of the proceedings are expected to take about another day and a half, though I believe no witnesses will be called by the defence.

Canton, 29th September, 1883.

The trial of Logan was concluded to-day, and the verdict of the jury has been what most people appeared to anticipate. The Chinese in the vicinity of the court looked somewhat pleased when they found that the prisoner had been found guilty of manslaughter, and their interest before it was given was evidently most intense. When the sentence was passed, however, dissatisfaction was pretty plainly depicted on the faces of most of them, and the news spread over the city and among the boating population with wonderful rapidity. Of all the persons in the court Logan appeared to evince the least curiosity when the jury returned from considering the case, and when their verdict was given he heard it with the same calmness, which was also unaltered as the sentence was passed upon him. He is evidently a man of iron nerve; and as it appears he has for so long conducted himself with credit, both in the Hongkong Police force and in the Customs service, it is much to be regretted that his career in China should have ended so disastrously.

Johnson was set at liberty by his Consul, Mr. Popoff, this morning. He is of course now out of the Customs Service, and as his part in the disturbance seems to have been in no way culpable, a good deal of sympathy is felt for him.

Performer No. haush

253

Date 1883 12 Oct

Last previous Paper 19730

Advi 257 26 ho Stong Kone No. 19766

(Subject) 19707 RECP J \REG' 22 NOV 83 Naval Protection of H Kong Letter from 31 Chamber o Commerce P reports complaining of inadequate vessels un in & hear harbour beingfuld.

(Minutes) Os famed on a letter from the Admiralty on this subject. du sending a copy of that letter In the forense we danight actuall this desp: and sacer say that fa copy will be sent to Le

2 achunky Adinally, & freward a cof according by with reference Admiralty letter 19971 R & S (1098) 8 runs, 8-82) so proved EUR 227274 2/11 the Admiralty letter sorely charis

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DESPATCH. 32 NOTES ON THE TRIAL, REGINA v. LOGAN. ous offence. As it is I must confess, looking at the evidence which has been given, and looking at the circumstances under which you killed this Chinese boy, and possibly inflicted great injury to others; looking at all these circumstances and finding as I do that you did not in this case act in self-defence, I should not be doing my duty if I do not pass a heavy sentence upon you. The sentence of the court is that you be kept to penal servitude for seven years. Logan will probably be brought to Hongkong to serve out his sentence, as the long sentence prisoners from the coast ports usually do. There is no accommodation in Canton, as the Consular Prison there is simply one large apartment on the ground floor of one of the Consulate buildings. Most effective means were taken to isolate the jury from the outer world, for they were prisoners during the whole trial, being escorted to and from the court and their quarters in one of the consular buildings, and they did not leave the premises of the British Consulate during the entire trial. With regard to the means taken to prevent communication between the Chinese witnesses and the court, the arrangements were hardly so satisfactory. The witnesses were kept in another of the consular buildings under the charge of a Chinese attendant of the Consulate, who contented himself with taking a seat outside the door in front, but as there were many other means of conveying messages and intelligence of the course being taken in the Court this was very imperfect. A Chinaman was in court the whole time taking notes of the Chinese evidence, which notes he passed out of one of the windows of the court, and with regard to where these papers went to, there were rumours afloat of an unsatisfactory character. It was also most undesirable that a crowd of the hangers-on of the Tantai should be hanging round the door of the Court, constantly leaving and returning, Mr. Ball, while interpreting to one witness, heard a hiss from one of those doors, but as his back was to the door, he did not see the author though there were some in the court who said they saw it done by an individual who has taken an active part in getting up the case. Canton, 28th September, 1883. The trial of Logan is still the chief matter of interest here. It has lasted longer than was anticipated at first, the prosecution only having been completed after three days' sittings. On each occasion the Court has been well filled with the public, many having sat through the hearing as far as it has gone. Now that Johnson has given his evidence, I understand he will be released, his Consul, Mr. Popoff, the Russian Consul at Foochow, having heard the evidence all through, and being satisfied that the man has been already punished sufficiently, by his confinement for a month and a half at the consulate before the trial, for all that he may have done on the morning of the fatal affray. Neilson, having left the place, cannot be called as a witness though his evidence might go a good way towards clearing up some points upon which the testimony given has been contradictory. The rest of the proceedings are expected to take about another day and a half, though I believe no witnesses will be called by the defence. Canton, 29th September, 1883. The trial of Logan was concluded to-day, and the verdict of the jury has been what most people appeared to anticipate. The Chinese in the vicinity of the court looked somewhat pleased when they found that the prisoner had been found guilty of manslaughter, and their interest before it was given was evidently most intense. When the sentence was passed, however, dissatisfaction was pretty plainly depicted on the faces of most of them, and the news spread over the city and among the boating population with wonderful rapidity. Of all the persons in the court Logan appeared to evince the least curiosity when the jury returned from considering the case, and when their verdict was given he heard it with the same calmness, which was also unaltered as the sentence was passed upon him. He is evidently a man of iron nerve; and as it appears he has for so long conducted himself with credit, both in the Hongkong Police force and in the Customs service, it is much to be regretted that his career in China should have ended so disastrously. Johnson was set at liberty by his Consul, Mr. Popoff, this morning. He is of course now out of the Customs Service, and as his part in the disturbance seems to have been in no way culpable, a good deal of sympathy is felt for him. Performer No. haush 253 Date 1883 12 Oct Last previous Paper 19730 Advi 257 26 ho Stong Kone No. 19766 (Subject) 19707 RECP J \REG' 22 NOV 83 Naval Protection of H Kong Letter from 31 Chamber o Commerce P reports complaining of inadequate vessels un in & hear harbour beingfuld. (Minutes) Os famed on a letter from the Admiralty on this subject. du sending a copy of that letter In the forense we danight actuall this desp: and sacer say that fa copy will be sent to Le 2 achunky Adinally, & freward a cof according by with reference Admiralty letter 19971 R & S (1098) 8 runs, 8-82) so proved EUR 227274 2/11 the Admiralty letter sorely charis
Baseline (Original)
DESPATCH. 32 NOTES ON THE TRIAZ, REGINA v. LOGAN. ous offence. As it is I must confess, looking when their verdict was given he heard it wil at the evidence which has been given, and looking the same calmness, which was also unaltered at the circumstances under which you killed this as the sentence was passed upon him. He is Chinese boy, and possibly inflicted great injury evidently a man of iron nerve; and as it appears to others; looking at all these circumstances and he has for so long conducted himself with credit, finding as I do that you did not in this case act both in the Hongkong Police force and in the Cus- in self defence, I should not be doing my duty toms service, it is much to be regretted that his if I do not pass a beavy sentence upon you. career in China should have ended so disastrously. The sentence of the sourt is that you be kept Logan will probably be brought to Hongkong to to penal servitude for seven years. serve out his sentence, as the long sentenco pri- soners from the coast ports usually do. There is no accoremodation in Canton, as the Consular Prison there is simply one large apartment on the ground floor of one of the Consulate buildings. Most effective means were taken to isolate the jary from the outer world, for they were prisoners during the whole trial, being escorted to and from the court and their quarters in one of the consular buildings, and they did not leave the premises of the British Consulate during the entire trial. With regard to the means taken to prevent communication between the Chinese witnesses and the court, the arrange- ments were hardly so satisfactory. The witnesses were kept in another of the consular buildings under the charge of a Chinese attendant of the Cou- sulate, who coutented himself with taking a seat outside the door in front, but as there were many other means of conveying messages and intelligence of the course being taken in the Court this was very imperfect. A Chinaman was in court the whole time taking notes of the Chinese evidence, which notes he passed out of one of the windows of the court, and with regard to where these papers went to, there were 11- mours afloat of an unsatisfactory character. It was also most undesirable that a crowd of the hangers.on of the Tantai should be banging ronud the door of the Court, constantly leaving and returning, Mr. Ball, while interpreting to one witness, beard a hiss from one of thaso doors, but as his back was to the door, he did not see the author though there were some in the court who said they saw it done by an individual who has taken an active part in getting up the Canton, 28th September, 1883. The trial of Logan is still the chief matter of interest hore. It has lasted longer than was anticipated at first, the prosecution only having been completed after three days' sittings. On each occasion the Court has been well filled with the public, many having sat the hearing through as far as it has gone. Now that Johnson has given his evidence, I understand he will be re. leased, his Consul, Mr. Popoff, the Russian Consul at Foocbow, having heard the evidence all through, and being satisfied that the man has been already punished sufficiently, by bis confine. ment for a month and half at the consulate be. fore the trial, for all that he may bavo done on the morning of the fatal affray. Neilson, having left the place, cannot be called as a witness though his evidence might go a good way to wards clearing up some points upon which the testimony given has been contradictory. The rest of the proceedings are expected to take about another day and half, though I believe no wit- nesses will be oslled by the defence. Canton, 29th September, 1883. The trial of Logan was concluded to-day, and the verdict of the jury has been what most people appeared to anticipate. The Chinese in the viol- nity of the court looked somewhat pleased when they found that the prisoner had been found guilty of manslaughter, and their interest before it was given was evidently most intense. When the sentence was passed, however, dissatisfaction was pretty plaiuly depicted on the faces of most of them, and the news spread over the city aud among the boating population with wonderful rapidity. Of all the persons in the court Logan appeared to evince the least curiosity when the jury returned from considering the case, and case, Popoff, this morning. He is of course now out Johnson was set at liberty by his Consul, Mr. of the Customs Service, and as his part in the disturbance seems to have been in no way enl pable, a good deal of sympathy is felt for him. erformer. No. haush 253 Date. 1883 12 Oct Last previous Paper. 19730 Adivi 257 26 ho Stong Kone No. 19766 (Subject.) 19707 RECP J \REG' 22 NOV 83 Naval Protection of H Kong Letter from 31 Chamber o Commerce P reports complaining of mådequar q Mr. vessels un In in & hear harbour bingfuld. (Minutes.) Os famed on a letter from the Adincialty on this tulijech. du sending a copy of that letter In the forense we danight actuall this desp: and sacer say that fa copy will be sent to Le 2 achunky Adinally, & freward a cof according by with reference Admiralty letter 19971 R & S (1098) 8 runs, 8-82) so proved EUR 227274 2/11 the Admiralty letter sorely charis
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DESPATCH.

32

NOTES ON THE TRIAZ,

REGINA v. LOGAN.

ous offence. As it is I must confess, looking when their verdict was given he heard it wil at the evidence which has been given, and looking the same calmness, which was also unaltered at the circumstances under which you killed this as the sentence was passed upon him. He is Chinese boy, and possibly inflicted great injury evidently a man of iron nerve; and as it appears to others; looking at all these circumstances and he has for so long conducted himself with credit, finding as I do that you did not in this case act both in the Hongkong Police force and in the Cus- in self defence, I should not be doing my duty toms service, it is much to be regretted that his if I do not pass a beavy sentence upon you. career in China should have ended so disastrously. The sentence of the sourt is that you be kept Logan will probably be brought to Hongkong to to penal servitude for seven years.

serve out his sentence, as the long sentenco pri- soners from the coast ports usually do. There is no accoremodation in Canton, as the Consular Prison there is simply one large apartment on the ground floor of one of the Consulate buildings. Most effective means were taken to isolate the jary from the outer world, for they were prisoners during the whole trial, being escorted to and from the court and their quarters in one of the consular buildings, and they did not leave the premises of the British Consulate during the entire trial. With regard to the means taken to prevent communication between the Chinese witnesses and the court, the arrange- ments were hardly so satisfactory. The witnesses were kept in another of the consular buildings under the charge of a Chinese attendant of the Cou- sulate, who coutented himself with taking a seat outside the door in front, but as there were many other means of conveying messages and intelligence of the course being taken in the Court this was very imperfect. A Chinaman was in court the whole time taking notes of the Chinese evidence, which notes he passed out of one of the windows of the court, and with regard to where these papers went to, there were 11- mours afloat of an unsatisfactory character. It was also most undesirable that a crowd of the hangers.on of the Tantai should be banging ronud the door of the Court, constantly leaving and returning, Mr. Ball, while interpreting to one witness, beard a hiss from one of thaso doors, but as his back was to the door, he did not see the author though there were some in the court who said they saw it done by an individual who has taken an active part in getting up the

Canton, 28th September, 1883. The trial of Logan is still the chief matter of interest hore. It has lasted longer than was anticipated at first, the prosecution only having been completed after three days' sittings. On each occasion the Court has been well filled with the public, many having sat the hearing through as far as it has gone. Now that Johnson has given his evidence, I understand he will be re. leased, his Consul, Mr. Popoff, the Russian Consul at Foocbow, having heard the evidence all through, and being satisfied that the man has been already punished sufficiently, by bis confine. ment for a month and half at the consulate be. fore the trial, for all that he may bavo done on the morning of the fatal affray. Neilson, having left the place, cannot be called as a witness though his evidence might go a good way to wards clearing up some points upon which the testimony given has been contradictory. The rest of the proceedings are expected to take about another day and half, though I believe no wit- nesses will be oslled by the defence.

Canton, 29th September, 1883. The trial of Logan was concluded to-day, and the verdict of the jury has been what most people appeared to anticipate. The Chinese in the viol- nity of the court looked somewhat pleased when they found that the prisoner had been found guilty of manslaughter, and their interest before it was given was evidently most intense. When the sentence was passed, however, dissatisfaction was pretty plaiuly depicted on the faces of most of them, and the news spread over the city aud among the boating population with wonderful rapidity. Of all the persons in the court Logan appeared to evince the least curiosity when the jury returned from considering the case, and

case,

Popoff, this morning. He is of course now out Johnson was set at liberty by his Consul, Mr. of the Customs Service, and as his part in the disturbance seems to have been in no way enl pable, a good deal of sympathy is felt for him.

erformer. No. haush

253

Date.

1883

12 Oct

Last previous Paper.

19730

Adivi

257

26 ho

Stong Kone

No.

19766

(Subject.)

19707

RECP

J

\REG' 22 NOV 83

Naval Protection of H Kong

Letter from

31

Chamber

o Commerce

P

reports

complaining of mådequar q

Mr.

vessels un

In

in & hear harbour

bingfuld.

(Minutes.)

Os famed on a letter from

the Adincialty on this tulijech. du sending a copy of that letter In the forense we danight actuall this desp: and sacer say that fa copy will be sent to Le

2

achunky

Adinally, & freward a cof according by with reference Admiralty letter

19971

R & S (1098) 8 runs, 8-82)

so proved

EUR 227274

2/11

the Admiralty letter sorely charis

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