73
Bo
0
Tra
fear which the Chinese have of Boutique Power.
Lord Palmerston considers that it would be in all ways advantageous to British interests, if British means would be employed to put these Pirates down, or at least to afford to the Chinese protection against their attacks. Our influence thereby would be increased,
Commerce would then be safe,
And the respect and esteem in which we are held by the Chinese would become greater; but the Ships of War which we have on the Chinese Coast have duties to perform which prevent them from going much in pursuit of these Pirates, or from giving Convoy to these coasting Fleets; although those Vessels have occasionally been very efficiently employed in capturing or driving away Pirates in certain parts of the sea.
Lord Palmerston would therefore wish to consider whether it would be possible to organize a Colonial Flotilla for the purpose of giving Convoy to the Chinese coasting Fleets. It seems to Lord Palmerston that a small number of armed Vessels of no great size, commanded by British Subjects, under