relations with China of adherence to London Commercial principles & to a certain extent, of local Revenue, may all be attained by the imposition upon Opium, imported into Hong Kong of such a moderate duty as may not deflect it down Macao through the means of the Smuggler and by granting no drawback on its re-exportation.
Considering the existing facilities for trade,
on the Contraband
moderate
Carried without concealing any thing, a very cate of duty would probably have the effect of turning the balance
"
20
Against its introduction into that Colony for purposes of illicit transactions. While it is obvious that the many opportunities for smuggling
into the Colony
an article of so much value as Opium is to its bulk
Compared with its weight
render careful cautions as to the amount of duty charged upon Consumption
What rate ad valorem which
would effect the proposed
is a question which "Will must be left to the judgement of the Governor & Council on the spot. It will however be obvious that
your aim should rather be to prohibit or impede.