that the opium is intended to be introduced into the Island contrary to the prohibition, may also reasonably be prohibited.
Her Majesty's Government are sensible, however, that this measure, though it may relieve them from the imputation of encouraging the opium trade, will do but little to mitigate the evils which result from the present system.
They wish, therefore, that you would consider whether it would be possible to place the trade, even smuggling as it is, on a less discreditable footing than that on which it is now carried on.
The