more convinced am I that the broad undercurrent of life here is
more like that in the Southern States of America, when slavery
was dominant, than it resembles the all-pervading civilization of
England." "My suggestion that the mild intervention of the law
should be invoked was ignored. It was also met by the assertion
that custom had so sanctioned the evils in this Colony as that
they are above the reach of the law, and that by custom the
slavery was mild."

[Footnote A: Rather, it would seem in later years, by renting them for
a monthly stipend.]

The Governor, in a letter to the Colonial Secretary at London about
this time, informs the Colonial Secretary of his own failure also to
induce the Attorney General to prosecute cases to which His Excellency
had called his attention, and furthermore he explains that other
of his principal executive officers held to the same views as the
Attorney General.




CHAPTER 9.

THE CHINESE PETITION AND PROTEST.


We get additional and valuable light on social conditions at Hong
Kong, through statements drawn up by prominent Chinese men and laid
before the Governor. As a representation from the Chinese standpoint