to the monsoon but in the most favorable season the proposed limit of 21 days would only affect ships going to Manila, Siam, and Singapore.
By the Governor's proclamation January 26th 1836 the length of voyage is fixed as follows - For Manila round 20 days - Siam in the favorable monsoon 20 days in the unfavorable 45 days - So-Batavia in the favorable Season 30 days, in the unfavorable 60 days. No length of time is fixed for a voyage to Borneo or the Moluccas though numbers of Chinese resort to those places - But it will be easily seen that the limits of 21 days is too restricted.
I would suggest that voyages to specific places naming them be excepted from the operations of the act as the instructions conveyed in the despatch only allow the Colonial Legislature to exempt voyages not exceeding 21 days in duration. I dare not say I feel authorized in introducing to the Council any measure framed on any other computation but we may prefer taking the opinion of the home Authorities in the course to be pursued, If this course be adopted I would humbly suggest the entire remodelling of the Chinese Passengers Act for as it stands at present it is by no means perspicuous and tends to give rise to...