712970-1866-PROCLAMATION — Page 1

OIT

ROIT.

THE HONGKONG

Government Gazette.

Publisheh by authority.

VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 14TH APRIL, 1866.

VOL. XII.

No. 16.

No. 3.

PROCLAMATION.

[L.S.] RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL.

By His Excellency SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, Knight, and Companion of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same.

Whereas The Right Honorable The Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies has communicated to the Government of this Colony Her Majesty's pleasure with respect to Prizes brought into British Waters by Armed Vessels belonging to Spain or the Chilian Republic in a Circular Despatch, of which the following is a Copy:-

CIRCULAR.

DOWNING STREET, 9th February, 1866.

SIR,-I transmit to you, for your guidance, a Copy of a Letter in which the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has conveyed to me Her Majesty's Orders that no Chilian or Spanish Armed Vessels be allowed to bring their Prizes into British Waters.-I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant,

The Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong.

The Earl of Clarendon to Mr. Cardwell.

EDWARD CARDWELL.

Foreign Office, February 2, 1866.

SIR,-Her Majesty's Government being desirous of observing the strictest neutrality in the contest between Spain and the Republic of Chili, they propose, with the view of more effectually carrying into effect this principle, to interdict the Armed Ships and also the Privateers of both parties from carrying Prizes made by them into the Ports, Harbours, Roadsteads or Waters of the United Kingdom, or of any of Her Majesty's Colonies or Possessions abroad.

I have accordingly to acquaint you that the Queen has been pleased to direct that orders in conformity with the principles above stated, should forthwith be addressed to all proper authorities in the United Kingdom, and to Her Majesty's Naval or other authorities in all quarters beyond the United Kingdom, for their guidance in the circumstances.--I have, &c.,

The Right Honourable

Edward Cardwell, M.P.

&c., fc., fc.

(Signed) CLARENDON.

Now, therefore, it is hereby declared, that Her Majesty's Orders as above contained will be strictly enforced.

By His Excellency's Command,

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Given at Victoria, Hongkong, this 12th Day of April, 1866.

W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.