However incumbent it may be on the Chinese Govt to cooperate for the suppression of piracy, and however thankful it may be for them not to do so,
though yet Lord Clarendon thinks that it would not be consistent with the
dignity of this country to receive payment from the Chinese Govt - for the services of H.M. naval Forces : and the objections to such a course would scarcely be diminished by other naval Powers
being associated in it.
But Lord Clarendon apprehends that it would be very difficult to induce the maritime Powers and especially France and U.S. to cooperate in such a proceeding. The former would say that the commercial interests of France did
not call for such an unusual proceeding the latter would demur to a measure which even for a common interest would in its nature partake of the character of a maritime alliance. While all Powers would attribute the proposal to interested motives on the part of England, in seeking to throw upon them a portion of the burden of protecting British commerce, which as being the largest, would be the most benefited by the suppression of piracy.
Lord Clarendon therefore apprehends that Great Britain must rely
on her own exertions to obtain security for British Commerce in the China Seas; and that the extent of her exertions must be measured by the extent of the interest
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