"... from Pline, which, in the year 1864, was £20,260,899. Taking into account the trade between China and Siam, while the whole amount of foreign trade, according to the Customs Returns, with China was about £90,000,000 and was much larger, exceeding, in every reason to believe, £100,000,000. Lord Clarendon cannot doubt but that the Lords of the Admiralty will concur with him in considering so large a trade. Considering that for the preservation of it from interruption and risk, to which it is now exposed, the greatest vigilance should be exercised by the naval forces off the coast of China, Lord Clarendon will bring the matter before the maritime Powers whose subjects are engaged in trade with China. He stated the facts in this Letter, in the confident hope that Their Lordships will send instructions to the Admiral in Command on the China Station...