maintenance of tranquillity in
et
that Establishment; writing at the same time a letter to the
Imperial Deputy,
of Canton,
or Vice Roy
of Canton, on the 23rd of August last, pointing out to him, that all the Powers of Europe who had Representatives in China had
a
direct interest in
that unhappy event, and that
the name of Her Britannic Majesty, called upon
him
to cause to be apprehended immediately the perpetrators of that diabolical act in order that they may be treated in a manner to show to the Chinese Authorities, as well as those of other nations, that they will detest, and will inevitably deliver over to condign punishment, those guilty of such horrible atrocities. At the same time the Portuguese Government has not ceased showing its sympathy to the Governor of Macao, & affording good offices to them.
From these just motives the Undersigned has received orders to make this communication to H. E. Lord Viscount Palmerston, and in the name of H. M. & of Her Government to return him thanks in the most expressive terms for all those decisive and effective proofs of sincere & obliging friendship testified by the Governor of Macao aforesaid, requesting that H. E. will transmit to him those well-deserved thanks for his conduct worthy of all praise in this delicate & important conjuncture;
The Undersigned
(Signed) Visconde da Carreira de Menezes
Portuguese Minister
29
Nov. 1849.