Ands there. How is the status of British subject of Chinese extraction always sought and certainly established? I am aware that a serious difficulty in this direction lay behind all primary actions, I stated to the Prince in my first despatch here. Should be quite willing to considerat H. H. Whatever modification of the present system of registering or certifying such British subjects might appear more calculated to guard against the evil effectually apprehended!
The Prince of King in his reply inclosed evidently does not see his way to any solution of the difficulty that would be satisfactory to both parties by giving to each the protection they are fairly entitled to. The difficulty which must be the greater with the number of ... if as Mr. Wade suggests in a note, an impression prevails at the Yamun that by the payment of a fee the use of the "British Flag" and a certificate; nationality are equally obtainable. It should be regretted that such a belief should exist; nay, seeing the enormities that have been perpetrated under foreign flags in the Chinese systems of convoy, piracy and smuggling all combined, and the number of vessels registered by natives, real or pretended owners, and provided with flag letters and sailing under the British Flag under our Colonial Ordinance ... are we justly entitled to take offence?
As regards the registry of British subjects of Chinese extraction in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the adjacent islands, it would scarcely be desirable...
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