Chinese Port where no papers but those equally accessible to Pirates and honest traders were given or registered, and where no attention was ordinarily paid to the movement of Native Craft, whatever might be their destination or equipment. It would therefore be impossible, unless under circumstances of the most obvious suspicion, to detain such a vessel, because her explanation might be perfectly true.

Therefore it is essential that as far as possible all the neighboring Governments should be of one mind in this subject and endeavor to frame identical regulations.

His Excellency counts altogether on the Viceroy's assistance in effecting that result which, if regarded as a duty by this Government, ought to be felt doubly as such by the Chinese Government. His Excellency therefore hopes that the Viceroy has been able since receipt of his valued Communication of the 24th June last to institute the necessary inquiries to which he then alluded, and to take counsel with the Fooyuen, the Financial and Judicial Commissioners, with a view to framing the Report to the Board of Nye & Foreign affairs which the Viceroy stated in his despatch of 24 June that it was his intention to prepare and submit.

There have recently been some bad cases of Piracy, and His Excellency fears they will become...

Page 365

Share This Page