Far more important political measures, springing out of the peculiar and unprecedented relations which now subsist between the British and Chinese forces.
As a first step, towards carrying it into effect, I request you will be pleased to force yourselves into a Committee to consider and frame, for my consideration and eventual approval, such rules as may seem to you to be expedient, accompanied by a statement of the Expense and Establishments, present and future, which the arrangement will require.
It occurs to me that you yourselves should be always "Ex officio" Members of the "Registry Committee," and that there should be perhaps at least one stipendiary member whose sole duty should be to make himself acquainted with all persons residing on, or coming to the Island, and under whose immediate guidance the whole system would be placed.
The points to which I would recommend your turning your attention in forming the rules are, 1st to establish a Registry Office, 2nd: To allow no one to reside on the Island unless he is registered in the Office. 3rd the period which any person may remain on the Island (temporarily), without requiring that he should be registered. 4th. What class (if any) of persons are to be altogether excluded from landing on