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"I force the owners of Houses to quit." "I hope, however, they will be induced to do so, by a liberal compensation, (which will necessarily be added to the Cost of the Barracks) but I cannot refrain from thinking, that it would have been a primary object, to have placed the Barracks a short distance, at least, from the Fort of Chuen-Chow, to which the proposed proximity will, I fear, prove a fertile source of dispute, and (what is even of greater Consequence) a ready inducement, without the possibility of prevention, of the soldiers falling into excesses.
"I will also instruct her Johnston to ascertain the point respecting the drying of fish; but this operation must be carried on near the residences of the Fisherman, and I do not see how the objection can be avoided without an Act of power, which I should be very sorry to sanction.
"Now Mr. Johnston will acquaint the Proceedings of the Committee and will also (in my absence) report to Your Lordship the result of his visit."
It will be observed at the close of the letter, I state that in my absence Mr. Johnston will furnish Your Lordship with the result of his inquiries, which that Gentleman accordingly did on the 9th of February, the very day after I left Hongkong for Macao to resume my negotiations with the Imperial Commissioner. That result showed that 88 houses would have to be destroyed belonging to 34 persons; that out of these 34 persons, 31 were unwilling to sell their property on any terms; that 2 individuals are willing to sell 3 small houses for $80, and two stone ones for $350; and that one owner, being absent, his wish had not been ascertained.