Sir John & Davis
Hong Kong, Left: 21. 1847.
find
No
172.
12 Metsures
The case of a
su
"Corsair."
Down byt
by the
halt
'.
20.59 Houghong
DEC. 17 1847
102
No. 13.
Diplomatic Department.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
His Excellency, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., makes known for the general information of the British Community, that his correspondence with the Chinese Minister in relation to Commercial Steamers has terminated in His Excellency Keying acquiescing in the right of such vessels to carry merchandise, as well as passengers and letters. As the reluctance of the Chinese Government to the increase of this species of traffic has arisen principally from a not unreasonable apprehension of danger to its own subjects in the crowded vicinity of trading cities, His Excellency the Plenipotentiary sees the absolute necessity of holding steam vessels of all descriptions under the most effective control, with a view to preserving unimpaired the existing rights under the Treaty, as well as promoting the establish- ment of good feeling between the subjects of the two nations. He trusts and believes that there will be no occasion whatever for the interference of authority; but, in case of need, the existing law is sufficient for enforcing either compensations for civil injury, or penalties on account of criminal negligence or aggression.
By Command of His Excellency,
Victoria, Hongkong, 18th May, 1846.
A. R. JOHNSTON.