Adm.
In keeping my Lord's desire, me to state for the information of Mr. Cardwell, that they will instruct the Admiral in H.M. [Her Majesty's] Naval Command to act in concert with the Governor of Hong Kong on the measures that may appear to be best calculated to check the depredations of Pirates, and for that purpose to place under the orders of the Senior Naval Officer at Hong Kong such a force as can be spared from the other duties of the Station, and can be most advantageously employed on the Service.
From the enclosures to Sir Hercules Robinson's Despatch, you will recently observe that 4 Gun Boats have been employed in the attempt to suppress Piracy in the neighbourhood of Hong Kong and of the Treaty Ports, Foo Chow and Whampoa.
And it does not appear that the Commanders of those vessels have lost any time in acting upon the information conveyed to them by the local Authorities.
As Mr. Cardwell is of opinion that Hong Kong cannot at present be called upon to contribute to the expense of maintaining a Naval Force to be exclusively employed in the service of the Colony, my Lords are of opinion that it would not be expedient to take the step.