Dorre
7
All scruples with reference to the Chinese Government appear to me to be done away with by Keying's last Communication to me in regard to Opium, Copy of which I have the honor to inclose. He there requests that no notice may be taken of the conduct of the Chinese Government towards its own people on the subject of opium; and proposes in return that I should make what regulations I please for British subjects, on the same point.
The Opium trade is now fairly Established by general connivance, along the whole coast of China, the only interference on the part of the Officers of Government being to ensure to themselves a large portion of the profits. I am not aware of a single cargo of Opium arriving in China, and whole chests are publicly landed at Shanghae and other places. Under these altered circumstances, any scruples on our part, within this Colony, appear to me to be superfluous.
Together with the Ordinance, I have the honor to inclose a copy of the Regulations under it, borrowed in a great part from those in force at Singapore, which I examined during my three days' stay at that island, on the passage out.
I have the honor to be,
With the highest respect,
Your Lordships' Most Obedient,
Humble Servant,