but of our willingness to conclude forthwith upon the basis of its immediate action.
In the last Para of Your Lordship's despatch I find it observed, that the population of Kiangtong and the absence of the Naval force to be left in this neighbourhood will always furnish the means of re-imposing the Blockade at Canton if the conduct of the Provincial Authorities should appear to require that measure, and this remark affords me a proper occasion to state the various reasons which led me to assent to the restoration of Manting.
of Phentong upon the condition that it should still be re-occupied.
My ... in the late ...
Artilitary arrangement. And it is evident that Hong Kong is the chief basis of our operations in China, Militarily, Commercially, & politically considered, and the necessity of a large land force there as can be spared is too apparent to require insistence. Nor does it seem to me to admit of doubt that some important point in China must be temporarily held as a guarantee for the faithful fulfilment of the stipulations of any treaty to be made with this Government.
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