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I enclose a return to date up to last night (14th January) showing the business transacted under the Ordinance at this port.
A perusal of it, and nothing can prove more satisfactorily the sufficiency of the means employed by the Government to reassure the Chinese, and also the goodwill with which some of the most respectable Chinese residents exerted themselves to promote confidence amongst their countrymen and assist the action of the Government.
5.
During the first six days, 178 applications were received, and 174 licenses were issued. Seven Licenses only were taken out - being instruments which require security - one was taken out.
In the last eight days however (including Sunday) 61 Licenses have been issued - whilst altogether, including Fishing Licenses and special permits, the total number of permits to navigate these waters now reaches 344 - representing a very large native fleet independent of those who have hitherto contented themselves with using the papers and clearances required by unlicensed vessels - all of which 653 have been issued.