the
for them by the Home Government; and Mr. A. Matheson remains in England upon the heavy losses he incurred by the government of Hong Kong, leaving his partners very willing to follow his example. The same firm have lately completed the creation of
an
expensive Patent Slip for hauling up vessels, and the enclosed letter will show that I refused these staunch advocates of perfect freedom the monopoly of the Slip, to which refusal I am obliged to attribute the
is also
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and from having two entrances equally safe, "it is necessary with every wind. It would be a central point for the whole whaling trade in the Pacific, &c. Hong Kong favourably situated as a
Dépôt for Sugar, "Cassia, Camphor, and other articles of "China produce. My enclosures will show that what possibilities waters are here represented are actual facts, not as mere
victualling and refitting. Two American ships in the harbour, and No 5. have made a striking change in their principles. Vide enclosure 15.) It is satisfactory to find Mr. A. Matheson (who is of necessity a better judge of the matter than Mr. M. Martin) give the following opinion of the Commercial capabilities of Hong Kong, different from Mr. Martin's blank prospect. Nothing can exceed the advantages of its Harbour, being not only one of the safest in the world, but close to the ocean;
40
Many more to arrive next week, because (as the American Consul informs me) they find this the most convenient and best port, without a single tax or tonnage-due. The enclosed return shows that, during 1847, 21,529,600 Piculs of Sugar, value £144,827, have been shipped on board of 37 vessels for various parts of the world. It is remarkable that in the following statement of Mr. A. Matheson
4.