70
71.
256
maximized by the disorganization of China - the inefficiency - not to any helplessness of the Imperial Fleets, - unable or unwilling to cope with and subdue the mischief. I should be quite disposed to assist the Fleet by some grant, if necessary, from the Colonial Funds towards the maintenance
If a couple of Steam Gun Boats, – though their principal services would be on the Chinese Coasts and therefore intra-Colonial, but the object is of the highest importance and I earnestly press it on the Government with too much urgency.
I have more than once represented the matter to the Naval Commander-in-Chief but he answers that he has no means of dealing with this petty local piracy, and the Police is wholly unable to put it down.
32.
I do not forward to your Lordship the present despatch in any respect complete or exhaustive, or representing all the topics which occupy my thoughts in reference to the Government of the Colony. But I hope this general outline will not be unacceptable to your Lordship, and as I feel the utmost anxiety to associate increasing revenues with administrative reforms, I shall deem it a great...
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