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There is every reason to suppose that the aggregate foreign trade with China does not fall short in value £100,000,000 Sterling a year, and in whatever proportion foreign nations may participate in it, to that extent at all events they have a common interest in preserving it from interruption by force.
Being more deeply concerned in this trade than any other nation, Great Britain employs on the coast of China a considerable naval armament for its protection, and exerts her strongest influence at Pekin tending to induce the Chinese Government to act on the treaty engagements towards the British Crown which bind it "to concert with England measures for the suppression of piracy."
But His Government desiring in this particular, no less than in every other matter connected with the relations of foreign Powers with China to act in concert with their allies, invite them to unite their efforts with those of England for the suppression of an evil which alike threatens the commerce of all; and I have accordingly to instruct Y.E. to communicate with the Government to which you are accredited, and to suggest that they should instruct their Representative in China and their Naval Commander on the coast to act in concert with Her Majesty's Ministers at Pekin in urging the Chinese Government to take effective measures for the suppression of ...
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