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those who represent here the authority of Christian Sovereigns to take the lead in a reform so much needed. –
I can well imagine that formerly the apprehension of driving some of the commerce carried on by native vessels which now obtain their supplies there, and which in the absence of all control by the Executive here might have been induced by my Regulations as those enclosed, to resort when possible to Hongkong, may have deterred your Excellency and your predecessors from taking the initiative in measures of whose necessity and expediency nevertheless no one could otherwise have entertained a doubt.
9. Fortunately, by being the first to grapple with the practical difficulties of the question, this Government has removed all reasonable excuse for its neighbors longer deferring the legislation necessary to obtain at least as much information as to the movements and Cargoes of native Junks from us as we insist on receiving from them when visiting our harbors.
10. I would further request Your Excellency, when reviewing this subject, to consider whether