Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 891

SIR,

[LXXVIII]

Appendix 39.

EXTRACTS FROM THE

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING THE ALLEGED EXISTENCE OF CHINESE SLAVERY IN HONGKONG.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY COMMAND OF HER MAJESTY, MARCH 1882.

No. 1.

Governor J. Pope Hennessy; C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Sir Michae

Hicks Beach, Bart.

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GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG, January 23rd, 1880.

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13. Three or four months after this incident occurred some of the leading Chinese residents presented a memorial to me, praying that they might be allowed to form an association for suppressing kidnapping and traffic in human beings. They recited the fact that repressive measures had repeatedly been taken against the crime of kidnapping, but that much still remained to be done as girls were being forced to become prostitutes and boys were being sold to become adopted children. I have the honour to enclose, for

your information, a copy of this memorial, and of the various minutes and proceed- ings in connection with it.

14. In my minute of the 12th of November 1878 I expressed the opinion that this was a very praiseworthy proceeding on the part of the Native gentlemen who originated it, and I gave instructions that a committee should be formed of the two Police Magis- trates, the Captain-Superintendent of Police, and Dr. EITEL, together with the leading petitioners, to draw up for my approval some scheme for checking the crime of kid- napping.

15. On the 3rd of October last the committee completed their labours and forwarded their proposed scheme to the Colonial Secretary. I shall submit some observations to you in a separate Despatch on the details of this scheme. Speaking generally, it shows an earnest desire on the part of the Government officers, as well as the Chinese gentle- men on the committee, to put down the evils to which the latter drew my attention in their memorial.

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Memorial of Chinese Merchants, &c., praying to be allowed to form an Association for suppressing kidnapping and traffic in human beings.

To His Excellency the Governor.

The humble petition of the undersigned residents and merchants of Hongkong, being natives of the Tung-kún district, viz. LO LAI-PING, SHI SHANG- KAI, FUNG MING-SHÁN, TSE TAT-SHING, and others, of Bonham Strand, No. 3, in the matter of uniting to offer rewards on account of the daily increase of crimes of kidnapping, praying for the issue of a warrant with a view to make endeavours to stop these crimes, and to pacify the well- behaved people,

Showeth,

That there are strict regulations in Hongkong forbidding the sale of honest people through kidnapping or deceit, and that, thanks to His Excellency the Governor repeatedly