93
with the solemn contradictions given on oath, by the Chief Magistrate, the Surveyor-General, and another witness, to his own sworn depositions in the police court, upon matters where an honest mistake, on either side, was impossible—not to speak of the intrinsic incoherencies of his own testimony—made the worst possible impression on every one in the community:—
Except only on Sir John Bowring. For so I interpret the astounding fact, communicated to me by the last mail, that, since my departure from the colony, his Excellency has dared to confide into his hands the responsible duty of locum tenens—for fee and reward—to the acting Attorney-General in the Supreme Court;[1]—to the renewed terror of the peaceable Chinese, and to the indignation of the British;-albeit, to the wonder perhaps of none, Chinese or British.
Hong Kong Government, at the best, is an expensive occupation—exceeding the local revenue—and demanding a yearly Parliamentary grant.
It may be doubted whether the new House of Commons will approve the extra allowances, required to defray the cost of these ever-recurring instances of corruption and misgovernment.
- ↑ Case of the murderers on board of the "Mastiff." Hong Kong, February Sessions, 1859.
