Her letter to Captain McDougal R.N. of which I enclose a copy recommended that Officer, as you will perceive to take no other than neutral part. The whole correspondence on being approved by His Lordship the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. It is therefore obviously out of my power to adopt any other course but that approved of in my predecessor's case. I am in hopes however that the presence of H.M.'s Ships Amazon and Medea be sufficient to deter the Chinese mob within Macao from any acts of violence which may place in jeopardy the lives or property of H.M.'s Subjects residing there. Should it unfortunately prove otherwise you will take such steps as may seem to you advisable for the security or withdrawal of the British residents.
I am confirmed in my opinion that we should confine ourselves to the protection of our countrymen, by my belief that the hostilities stated at present to be in progress have originated in the occupation by the Portuguese Government of a Barrier fort, which was within the last few months in the possession of the Chinese.
I have &c.,
(signed) S. G. Bonham.
(True Copy,)
Macau Colonial Secretary.
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