I beg now to forward copies of the whole of this correspondence for Your Lordship's information & instruction. Here would be perhaps great inconvenience in giving to "the Consular Authorities at Amoy the Courts" & imposing upon them the Duties of Emigration Officers, but what is to be done in the many places whence Emigration takes place in which there exists no Consular Authority, at Swatow – Namoa – Chinchew – Macao & other places on the coast? Your Lordship will observe that they have great unwillingness to interfere with the most important provision of the Imperial Act legislation.
In reference to the general subject of Emigration, I have to remark that the Admiralty orders of the 12th of June, forwarded by Your Lordship's Dispatch No. 131 dated 2 July, make no provision for guarding against some of the worst abuses that exist, as for example,
British or not British Naval Officers are authorized on requisition by writing from the House Officer of Emigration or Custom or Consular Authority - to convey a vessel to a port where there is "Admiralty Jurisdiction", - but if a rebel vessel be found having no national Flag - no regular papers - or having then her colours at a place where there is no Consular authority of any sort...
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