justice done to it, it would become more prosperous, and that there would rather be an increase than a falling off in the revenue.
In Sir H. Pottinger's and Sir J. Davis's time, the object of raising a revenue seems to have had the first, if not the only, consideration and the decay of the Settlement has been the result. In Macao there exists the system of the Chinese, but for many years we have been endeavouring to break through that system, and I feel sure that if the doctrine of free trade holds good anywhere, it does so there, where only freedom of Trade will attract people to the Settlement.
It is of the utmost consequence that a fit person be sought for and appointed to visit the Junkmen to whom the merchants can apply for information and advice, as I have alluded to, under the head of Salt Licence.
From a series of unfortunate measures and untoward circumstances the fear of the Junkmen who still come to the Port continues to land and from this cause alone the Trade of the place must suffer. The Salt is sold on the coast upon the Certificate of weight given here, it is therefore of importance to the Junkmen to have it, and they will consequently pay for it. The revenue derived from this source in the hands of Government, would, I am convinced, be sufficient not only to give the revenue now derived, but to pay for the other appointments besides, and leave the Junkmen less probably to pay than they have at present.
With regard to the Memorialists I think that a reduction of 30 per cent on the present ground rent, would give satisfaction, but I feel that if this settlement could be made more prosperous, the Community generally, would not object to continue to pay what they now do. At present, however, there is no Trade, and no other advantages to compensate for the heavy...