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Chamber of Commerce has reached me which I beg to submit for your information
A Chinese deputation also composed of twelve influential and wealthy native residents has just waited on me begging me to forward by this opportunity the accompanying Memorial addressed to you by 540 Chinese merchants, shopkeepers, and land owners in the Colony.
The Deputation informed me that if time had permitted, the memorial would have been signed more numerously as it conveyed the sentiments of the entire Chinese tax-paying community.
Letter from Chamber of Commerce
Enclosure 7
Memorial from Chinese, forwarded with Traustad
Observing from the translation of the Memorial which was handed to me by the deputation that it was simply a petition against any further taxation being imposed for the maintenance of troops, I enquired of the deputation why, if troops were necessary for the security of the inhabitants, they should not contribute their fair share to such expenditure.
The members of the Deputation explained that the Memorialists considered that the maintenance of a garrison here was unnecessary for local purposes as the people were quiet.