98
Board of Trade
ELI
Las they
4
tomorrow
in particular are generally natives of Macao receiving perhaps from £6 to £10 per month
are subject to no control, & can always plead misinformation on the part of the Chinese under their convoy for any acts of violence they may commit; it is unnecessary to do more than allude to the abuse to which this state of things is liable; and that not only gross abuse, but also extortion has been practised will be obvious from the Enclosures. The Enclosures, however, marked 2 & 3 will fully explain the circumstances to which I refer.
In the case of the Lorchas under Portuguese colours I shall draw the attention of the Authorities at Macao to the transaction; and from the character of the Governor of that Colony, have no doubt he will do all in his power to redress the abuse complained of by vessels sailing from Macao.
As regards the "Victoria", it belongs to an inhabitant of this place, a native of Bombay; he says that the Com. of the "Victoria" is a Portuguese & receives £6 a month as such, & that his boatmen earn no longer, & at present earns $6.50 a month for convoying Chinese vessels along the coast.
On being made acquainted with the complaint made against the Master of the "Victoria", he volunteered at once to dismiss him on her return to port. I shall also make further enquiries into the facts.