if the necessity for
a new Treaty were to arise, it may be doubtful whether it would be expedient to stipulate for any such " Instrument for a cession
of Territory. Parties might consider the distinction
invidious one if a stipulation to this effect were inserted in
the English Treaty with China and not in the French one & might seek to remove it by preferring
similar claim.
The least objectionable mode of acquiring the Kowloon Peninsula would probably be to accept it in part payment of the indemnity
which
we
are about to
demand from the Chinese Govt, & I shall be glad to know whether Mr Medhurst approves of my making such an arrangement if I should find it to be practicable to do so.
Have
the honour to be
Your
Obedient
Agent
* Kincardine
Page 180
Miscellaneous
Offices.