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Mr. Stopford.
In a minute sent on the subject to Lord Stanley of Alderley, when he passed through Windsor, I pointed out the difficulties which then occurred to me about the Foreign Office instructions. Writing in haste I passed over one which I afterwards mentioned to you, and which I now record. It was part of the plan to declare Hong Kong a "free port" and that no duties of Customs whatever should be levied there.
Your time is not to be wasted by any remark on my own part, or on the general policy, but, assuming the soundness...