Charles Elliot

“ It is further clearly declared that there will be an immediate embargo upon the port of Canton and all the large ports of the Empire [Note 1] , if there be the least obstruction to the freedom of trade and intercourse with the port of Hong Kong. Persons bringing information to the British officers which shall lead to the detection of pirates will be liberally rewarded, and the pirates will be taken and delivered over to the officers of the Chinese Government for punishment. ”

“ The Plenipotentiary seizes the earliest occasion to declare that Her Majesty’s government has sought for no privilege in China exclusively for the advantage of British ships and merchants, and he is only performing his duty in offering the protection of the British flag to the subjects, citizens, and ships of foreign powers that may resort to Her Majesty’s possession. ”

“ By Charles Elliot, Esquire, a captain in the Royal Navy, Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British subjects in China, and holding full powers, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to execute the office of Her Majesty's Commissioner, Procurator, and Plenipotentiary in China.
The island of Hongkong having been ceded to the British Crown under the seal of the Imperial Minister and High Commissioner Keshen, it has become necessary to provide for the Government thereof, pending Her Majesty's further pleasure. ”