CO129-231 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1887 [1-3] — Page 140

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

Accordingly received 18 strokes on the following day.

9. All the prisoners who were mentioned were long-service men, some of them being good characters. It is these men, who, accustomed to the milder treatment of former days, resent any attempt to increase the deterrent effects of imprisonment, and it is the punishment of these which is most likely to induce a more submissive tone in the Gaol. (I may refer in passing to the assault on General Gordon in 1885, and to the attempt at arson in December last). I am very hopeful that the summary punishment of many of the worst characters will lead to happy results, though I can hardly expect immediate submission to the new Regulations by all the prisoners.

As far as I can judge, the effects of the punishment have been so far satisfactory. In this opinion I am sustained by my officers. Any vacillation would in all probability have been interpreted by the prisoners as a sign of fear, and would have led to a more serious disturbance at a later date with consequent severer punishment, if not resort to violence.

10. In conclusion, I would state that I am confident of my power to carry out the stricter system now in force in a satisfactory manner. I am sure the Gaol will be run satisfactorily if I am heartily supported by the Government. If I am not, my task will be rendered exceedingly difficult, if not absolutely impossible.

(signed) J.G. Mitchell-Innes,
Acting Superintendent.

Edit History

2026-05-25 11:39:43 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
Accordingly received 18 strokes on the following day. 9. All the prisoners who were mentioned were long-service men, some of them being good characters. It is these men, who, accustomed to the milder treatment of former days, resent any attempt to increase the deterrent effects of imprisonment, and it is the punishment of these which is most likely to induce a more submissive tone in the Gaol. (I may refer in passing to the assault on General Gordon in 1885, and to the attempt at arson in December last). I am very hopeful that the summary punishment of many of the worst characters will lead to happy results, though I can hardly expect immediate submission to the new Regulations by all the prisoners. As far as I can judge, the effects of the punishment have been so far satisfactory. In this opinion I am sustained by my officers. Any vacillation would in all probability have been interpreted by the prisoners as a sign of fear, and would have led to a more serious disturbance at a later date with consequent severer punishment, if not resort to violence. 10. In conclusion, I would state that I am confident of my power to carry out the stricter system now in force in a satisfactory manner. I am sure the Gaol will be run satisfactorily if I am heartily supported by the Government. If I am not, my task will be rendered exceedingly difficult, if not absolutely impossible. (signed) J.G. Mitchell-Innes, Acting Superintendent.
Baseline (Original)
patore? accordingly received 18 strokes on the following day. 9. All the prisoners who - snentioned were long service men, some of them being very characters. It is these men, who, accustomed to the milder bad treatment of former days, resent any attempt to increase the deterrent effects of imprisonment, and it is the punishm punishment of these which is most likely to induce a more submissive in (2 tone in the Gaol. (I may refer passing to the assault on General Gordon in 1885, and to the attempt at arson in December last). I am very hopeful that the smumuary punishment of 2 many of the worst characters lead to happy results, though hardly ardly expect immediate submission to the new Regulations may I Can by 20 by 139 J. all the prisoners. As far as I can judge, the effects of the punishment have been so far satisfactory. In this opinion am sustained by my officers. Any vacillation would in all probability have been interpreted by the prisoners as a sign of fear, and would have led to a more serious disturbance at a later date with consequent quent severer punishment, if not resort to - aruud. 10. In conclusion I would state that I am confident of my power to carry out the stricter' now in system. Gaol in a sa foree satisfactory in this maner. if I am heartily supported by the Government. If I my not, am nor task will be rendered exceedingly difficult, if not absolutely impossible. I have to (signed) NG. Mitchell-Innes, Acting superintendent. }
2026-05-25 11:39:43 · Baseline
View content

patore?

accordingly received 18 strokes on the following day. 9. All the prisoners who - snentioned were long service men, some of them being very characters. It is these men, who, accustomed to the milder

bad

treatment of former days, resent any attempt to increase the deterrent effects of imprisonment, and it is the punishm

punishment of these which is most likely to

induce a more submissive

in

(2

tone in the Gaol. (I may refer passing to the assault on General Gordon in 1885, and to the attempt at arson in December last). I am very hopeful that the smumuary punishment of 2 many of the worst characters

lead to happy results, though

hardly

ardly expect immediate submission to the new Regulations

may I Can

by

20

by

139

J.

all the prisoners. As far as I can judge, the effects of the punishment have been so far satisfactory. In this opinion am sustained by my officers. Any vacillation would in all probability have been interpreted by the prisoners

as a sign of fear,

and would have led to a more serious disturbance at a later

date with consequent

quent severer

punishment, if not resort to -

aruud.

10.

In conclusion I would state that I am confident of my

power to carry out the stricter'

now in

system. Gaol in a sa

foree satisfactory

in this

maner.

if I am heartily supported by the Government. If I

my

not,

am nor

task will be rendered

exceedingly difficult, if not absolutely impossible. I have to

(signed) NG. Mitchell-Innes,

Acting superintendent.

}

Comments

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

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.