64
Journal of Occurrences.
And 1 do hereby declare and preclaim, that, pending Her Majesty's further pleasure, the government of the said island shall devolve upon, and be exer- cised by, the person filling the office of Chief Superintendent of the trade of British subjects in China for the time being.
And I do hereby declare and proclain, that, pending Her Majesty's further pleasure, the natives of the island of Hongkong, and all natives of China thereto resorting, shall be governed according to the laws and customs of China, every description of torture excepted.
And I do further declare and proclaim, that, pending Her Majesty's further pleasure, all offenses committed in Hongking by Her Majesty's subjects, or other persons than natives of the island or of Chura thereto resorting, shall fall under the cognizance of the criminal and admiralty Jurisdiction, present- ly existing in China.
And I do further declare and proclaim, that, pending H. M.'s further plea- sure, such rules and regulations as may be necessary from time to time for the government of Hongkong, shall be issued under the hand and seal of the person filling the office of Chief Superintendent of the trade of British sub- jects in China for the time being.
And I do further declare and proclaim, that, pending Her Majesty's fur- ther pleasure, all British subjects and foreigners residing in, or resorting to the island of Hongkong, shall enjoy full security and protection, according to the principles and practice of British law, so long as they shall continue to con- form to the authority of Her Majesty's government in and over the island of Hongkong, hereby duly constituted and proclaimed.
Given under my hand and seal of office,
on board of Her majesty's ship Wellesley, at anchor in Hongkong Bay, this twenty- ninth day of January, in the year one thou- sand eight hundred and forty-one.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.
(Signed) CHARles Elliot.
(True Copy) EDWARD ELMSLIE Secretary and Treasurer, &c.
No 3.
BREMER, Commander-in-chief, and ELLIOT, plenipotentiary, &c. &c., by this Proclamation make known to the inhabitants of the island of Hongkong, that that island has now become part of the dominious of the Queen of Eng land by clear public agreement between the high officers of the Celestial and British Courts and all native persons residing therein must understand, that they are now subjects of the Queen of England, to whom and to whose officers they must pay duty and obedience.
The inhabitants are hereby promised protection, in her majesty's gracious name, against all enemies whatever; and they are further secured in the free exercise of their religious rites, ceremonies, and social customs; and in the enjoyment of their lawful private property and interests. They will be governed, pending her majesty's further pleasure, according to the laws, customs, and usages of the Chinese (every description of torture excepted), by the elders of villages, subject to the control of a British magistrate; and any person having complaint to prefer of ill-usage or injustice against any Englishman or foreigner, will quietly make report to the nearest officer, to the end that full justice may be done.
Chinese ships and merchants resorting to the port of Hongkong for pur- poses of trade are hereby exempted, in the name of the Queen of England, from charge or duty of any kind to the British government.
The pleasure
of the government will be declared from time to time by further proclama- tion: and all heads of villages are held responsible that the commands are duly respected and observed.
Given under Seal of office, this 1st day of February, 1841.
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