As it is the shipping interest of this Colony decidedly suffers from these documents, and it is believed that it will suffer sure in consequence of the Colonial Passengers Act of 1886, provided by the Imperial Parliament, which will, it is supposed, transfer the conveyance of Emigrants to foreign shipping, which will embark their passengers in masses at some of those places on the coast now frequented by ships, although not legitimately open to trade like the five Ports secured by the Treaty of "Nanking.
This fort being the point of arrival and departure of the India and other Steamers, and the centre of communication with Macao, Manila, and the Five Ports, it of course derives great importance from this circumstance, and after long struggle the Mercantile community, both British and foreign, have at length found it necessary to have establishments here, and the purchase of Land for the creation of suitable houses for their firms has been the cause of the great increase in the Revenue of the past year.
It might be of further advantage to the Colony if the Punitively Emorys, established by Her Majesty the Naval Commander-in-Chief, were to commence and terminate here, instead of at Whampoa.
As it is British protection thinking be afforded to the coasting trade, it is but reasonable, I think, that a British Settlement should have the preference where any advantages may be derived from the System.
The Revenue of 1855, amounting to
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