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should be organized for the purpose, though the aid of the Ship's Seamen under your orders should readily be afforded to facilitate the destruction of Punter.
Any operation having for its object the Capture and destruction of such Pirates upon this Coast under the Command of your Ships might do some good, though you could hardly pretend to entirely suppress Piracy without a considerable Force.
It would be of any advantage to British Merchants and Consuls stationed in the Ports, if occasionally employed by the Mandarins in the protection of Convoys, and in the suppression of Piracy.
Good service of this kind has already been done by British Vessels of War stationed at each of the Ports of Shang-hai, Foo-chow-foo, Amoy, and Canton, and it is doubtful whether these Vessels are acknowledged by the Chinese Authorities; and possibly, the double object of protecting British Commerce & improving Relations, might, with increased activity and new arrangements by the Chinese, be further accomplished.
My Lords submit these observations to you, and authorize you to act upon them as you deem fit.