For the interests of this Colony of Hong Kong, but if it were to form a demand for concession of Power, it may be concerned; and be too dearly purchased. It also may be that even the modified form in which it suggests The Peninsula might be required might be open to the same objection.
All therefore that I can say is that we gladly acquire possession of the Kowloon Peninsula, but must leave to your discretion the best means of doing so, and abstain altogether from attempting it if it is likely to lead to other demands injurious to British interests.
Received 26 MAY 1860.
Foreign Office, May 25, 1860
Sir,
With reference to your letter, I am directed by Lord John Russell to state to you that we gladly acquire possession of the Kowloon Peninsula, but must leave to your discretion the best means of doing so, and abstain altogether from attempting it if it is likely to lead to other demands injurious to British interests.
Signed,
Inclosing a Copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong reporting the circumstances which have induced him to defer the recognition of Mr. Elias Burrows Senior in the capacity of Russian Consular Acting Agent in that Colony.
FO 27 4441
Page 132
F.O. 347
5210/59
11424/89
1243/159
Letter of this 16th Instant