these alone.
dip to the present time, although there is of course much confusion at Macão, little alarm seems to be felt by the British residing there; and none have been frightened away either by the assassination itself, or the excitement thereon consequent.
The Portuguese Soldiers have, in defiance of the Council, made a sortie in which a number of Chinese are reported to have been killed, amongst these an officer, whose head was cut off and carried back to Macao, where it was stuck upon a pole.
There are, of course, various opinions touching the immediate cause of the assassination: which many do not hesitate to ascribe to the direct influence and instigation of the Chinese Government. The late Governor had undoubtedly rendered himself very unpopular both with the Chinese Government and inhabitants of Macao, and there were reports, two months ago, that a large sum of dollars, variously stated, had been offered for his head. Without at all vouching for the truth of similar reports, or concurring in the conclusions arrived at, it may still be safely assumed that the perpetrators of the act were aware that the removal of so obnoxious a person would not be unacceptable to their Authorities.
In the meantime, as our own harbour has been left unprotected, I have deemed it expedient to request Captain Troubridge to send over the Medea, as there are numerous Pirates in the adjoining seas who might be tempted by the absence of the Vessels of War. I have also hinted to him privately.
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