at the Pato anthe Cutarent alone alluded to.
The alterative portion of this position has been noticed already, and it only remains for me to offer some observations on the required cession of an Island on the Pasteri coast.
It seems very plain to me (and I am greatly supported by finding that your Lordship is of the same opinion) that it is Government's duty to keep the Island of Hong Kong.
2
It has been formally Ceded to us under the Seals of the Contracting Parties, Proclamations have been made, and Notification of Annexation to the Queen's Dominions has been given. Some Bodies will perhaps concur with me that a slight degree of forcible pressure, joined to any hope of conclusive peaceful results, may extract from the Court a ratification of the Imperial Commissioner's preceding important particulars. Buck, Jay
in this view,
205
Ford, independently of these considerations, I must clearly say (distressing as it is to dwell on this quarter) that the Conservation of Hong Kong, its immediate and systematic organization of the Settlement upon a very firm and comprehensive footing, is not such a question, but in strictest terms, a necessity.
It is the frontier and focal point of difficulty of operations in China, that property of an immense amount is constantly accumulating in its harbour, although I have hitherto been ...
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