Company who propose to establish, and have actually ordered, Steam vessels for a regular daily Communication between this and Canton - Should this be found to succeed, it will of course be extended to the other Ports.
I informed the deputation that, with my own favourable view of their undertaking, added to the special notice of the subject by the late Committee of the House of Commons, I would take into consideration the expediency of recommending to your Lordship that their application for a piece of ground, sufficient for erecting certain buildings necessary to their undertaking, be complied with.
On the 18th Instant I received the inclosed letter, indicating a lot of ground which the parties were desirous to have assigned to them; but, as this seemed unnecessarily large for the purpose, I caused the annexed reply to be returned, stating my willingness to allot for their special object a certain unimproved portion which had been yielded up to Government on account of the previous high rental. Your Lordship will perceive I have annexed the express condition, that "in the event of the rent-free grant not being approved by Her Majesty's Government, the assignment will of course be subject to the average rental of similar description of property" and on such conditions the land has been accepted by the Steam packet Company.
I have the honor to be, With the highest respect, Your Lordships' Most Obedient Humble Servant,