trading vessels take to this passage, and indeed the shoals laid down are many by masters of means encouraging vessels to take that route.
I have thought it my duty to solicit your attention to this subject, as it is more than probable, situated as you are so far from the scene of it, you may not have been well acquainted with it.
My information is derived principally from the perusal of the letter I have spoken of, and a conversation with Mr. Reed, to whom, should you wish for further information, I beg to refer you.
In a conversation with Sir Richard M. MacDonnell, the Governor of this colony, he mentioned incidentally that the Chinese Ambassadors were anxious to obtain his opinion as to how far they should be justified in resisting British aggression, and what assistance they might receive from England, which he properly declined.
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