Khuc Than
was undertaken at my
recommendations and request,
but on
Command
and before the
Hay's sole responsibility arrival of the Admiral at Hongkong-
the natural result of the
the second was
first, and
was entered into in consequence)
Der
of information acquired during the execution of the first
ture
Service,
but to Commander Hay's
rance in his searched
emitting perseverance in
for the haunts of the Pirates, his accurate judgements, and gallantry, aided as he was by the able services of Commander Willcox, who has had great experience
in the seas, and of
of Mr. Niblett, must be entirely attributed the splendid success which has attended both expeditions.
I trust I may not be deemed travelling beyond the limits of my particular functions, if I beg respectfully to express a hope that Your Lordship
will see fit to
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292
notice of the Lords of the Admiralty; the
services
of Commanders
Hay
and Willcox
in these operations; and to that of the Honorable the Court of Directors, the merits of Mr. Niblett, Commanding the H.C. C. Steamer Phlegethon.
I think
it may fairly be assumed
that for some time to come at least, the Pirates in the
the neighbouring
seas will not
prove very formidable, if two lessons, such as they have had within the last month, and which have resulted in the destruction of 88 of their junks, with loss of 2,400 killed and drowned, are productive of any good effects.
It is not the least satisfactory
part of my duty to add that Commander Hay succeeded in obtaining the cooperation of the Governor General of Shainan in his operations against Shap'ng tsai's squadron. That functionary most-