CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884 — Page 276

this matter.

its regards the eleven prisoners

accused of murder grave doubts

in Hongkong their have been entertained as jas

Guilt,

etained

to

the good of the Colony

was instructed to hold

ar

expening

inte

the matter, with

the assistance of his Excentive

Council

/

of

Wh. the Attorney

gent is a member, &

to report

Whetter

the "proof of guilt"

required by Art. XXI of

the

Treaty of Tientsin was such as to satisfy the minds of the Council.

After a very careful examination into the evidence, the Executing Council were of opinion that

the

>

the guilt of the Prisoners had 275

been proved within the terms. the Treaty.

Under these circumstances Winfort are precluded from Surrendering the prisoners,

of

I regret to have to inform you that the demand of your hout for their Extradition cannot be Complied with.

The four of Hong Kong has accordingly been instructed to

be discharged

Cause thei

to

from custody.

With regard to the presoners Wang. Kum. On t

Chang.

a

Kit

the

the widence in support of

demand for

their Extradition

is sufficient & Himigout have

authoused