CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6] — Page 137

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

136

"that, the prisoner will be fairly tried, and ultimately not be convicted unless he is really guilty. But here, in considering whether or not there is a probable cause, it is impossible not to feel that, for practical purposes, and as regards the prisoner's fate, and the responsibility in connection therewith, the decision, though formally a decision as to probable guilt, is really a decision involving the consequences of a verdict of guilty or not guilty in a capital case."

As I have pointed out in previous despatches, on the testimony of Mr. Hewlett (the English Consul at Canton) and other reliable authorities, it is certain that, whatever engagements may be made by Chinese Viceroys and Governors, judicial torture is still practically as much a part of judicial procedure in China, as it was (at least in political cases), in England to the end of the 16th century, in Scotland to the end of the 18th century.


Page 136

(three lines at the bottom are not presented here as the original text is cut)

Edit History

2026-05-24 13:48:25 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
136 "that, the prisoner will be fairly tried, and ultimately not be convicted unless he is really guilty. But here, in considering whether or not there is a probable cause, it is impossible not to feel that, for practical purposes, and as regards the prisoner's fate, and the responsibility in connection therewith, the decision, though formally a decision as to probable guilt, is really a decision involving the consequences of a verdict of guilty or not guilty in a capital case." As I have pointed out in previous despatches, on the testimony of Mr. Hewlett (the English Consul at Canton) and other reliable authorities, it is certain that, whatever engagements may be made by Chinese Viceroys and Governors, judicial torture is still practically as much a part of judicial procedure in China, as it was (at least in political cases), in England to the end of the 16th century, in Scotland to the end of the 18th century. Page 136 (three lines at the bottom are not presented here as the original text is cut)
Baseline (Original)
136 " that, the prisoner will be fairly tried, and ultimately not in convicted unless he is really But here, in considering quilty - But-hers, in # # "whether or not there is a probable ease, it is impossible not to feel that, for practical purposes, and as regards the prisoner's fate, and the responsibility in connection therewith, the decision, though in formally a desision as to probable i "guilt, is really a decision "involving the consequences of a "verdict of guilty or not t guilty in a # a capital ease." As I have pointed out in previous despatches, on the testimony of Mr. Hewlett (the English Consul at - Canton) and other reliable authorities, it is certain that, - whatever engagements may bc. be - made by Chinese Viceroys and m Governors,- judicial torture is still prastically as much a part of judicial procedure in China, as it was (at least in political cases), in England to the end of the 16th.. century, in deotland to the end of the path
2026-05-24 13:48:25 · Baseline
View content

136

" that, the prisoner will be fairly tried, and ultimately not in convicted unless he is really

But here, in considering quilty - But-hers, in

#

#

"whether or not there is a probable

ease, it is impossible not to

feel

that, for practical purposes, and

as

regards the prisoner's fate, and

the responsibility in connection therewith, the decision, though in formally

a desision as to probable

i

"guilt, is really a decision

"involving the consequences of a "verdict of guilty or not t guilty in

a

#

a capital ease."

As I have pointed out in previous despatches, on the testimony of Mr.

Hewlett (the English Consul at - Canton) and other reliable

authorities, it is certain that, - whatever engagements

may

bc.

be

- made by Chinese Viceroys and m Governors,- judicial torture is still prastically as much a part of judicial procedure in China, as it was (at least in political cases), in England to the end of the 16th.. century, in deotland to the end of

the path

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.