and Swatow, but also interfere with the transport of merchandise and course of trade at Hong Kong. He is, however, certain that in the case of the clandestine traffic carried on by these small vessels there must be unprincipled native traders, who act in concert with them and enter into combinations to practice
fraud. His Excellency considers it a matter of urgent necessity
that the local authorities and the Officers in charge of the Customs Stations be enjoined to take stringent measures for enquiring into and dealing with such cases, in order that the Treaty may be complied with and irregular proceedings checked. The Acting Viceroy has therefore now issued peremptory instructions to the Intendents of Circuit, and Prefects of the localities above enumerated directing them to despatch subordinate officials to the different
districts
314
districts of their respective jurisdiction, along the coast, to make energetic and accurate enquiry respecting the clandestine importation of merchandise in opposition to the Treaty by small foreign steamers, and the illegal trade, with native dealers, directing them at the same time, in accordance with the law to seize and sequestrate all such vessels and merchandise and bring the same to Canton with a
a report of the actual circumstances of the case to await decision, as also to seize the
The Officers are
persons of the native dealers who illegally trade in combination [with such vessels] and furnish them to the full extent of the laws. The officials are preliminarily to make proclamations setting forth the Treaty provisions, along the coast, accompanied by stringent prohibitions