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Board of Trade, E.!! to Clear the Coast of Pirates, to enable the Fishing Boats of the Port to proceed to their ordinary Avocations.
On ... I also inclose a copy of a petition from a poor widow woman, residing at "Mingpo" requesting the Consul's assistance in rescuing her son from some Pirates. From previous Despatches Your Lordship must be aware of the frightful extent to which Piracy has been carried on, & still exists; along the coast of China; & it is now evident that the Authorities are entirely without power to suppress it, notwithstanding they were urged to adopt some preventing measures by a very significant exhibition of Popular feeling, which is fortunately worked on the Authorities effectually, as to induce them to call on the British Consul for assistance.
The Consul Sullivan's Despatch contains however all that passed between himself and the Chinese Authorities in a lucid and satisfactory manner, that I venture to inclose it unmitigated for Your Lordship's information.
The "Pylades" returned to Port after a week's Cruise; she was unsuccessful in capturing any of the Piratical vessels, but her appearance has for the present had the desirable effect of clearing the immediate vicinity of the Piratical fleet, which previously infested it.
I have &c.
/Sullivan / S Lain
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