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and also the ports of Chifor and Hankow where it has been proposed that Agencies should be established.
You will likewise visit all such other places as in conjunction with Mr Rea you may consider necessary for the purpose of obtaining such general knowledge of the country and its requirements as may be useful.
You will put yourself in communication with Her Majesty's Minister at Peking, and be guided by him. On proceeding to Peking you will be advised by Her Majesty's Minister, His Excellency, of the loss of time and the expense required, which had better be avoided.
On arrival in Japan, you will be in communication with Her Majesty's Minister and in like manner with him, so as to enable you to be more readily guided upon any instructions you may receive from him.
You will deal with any question which may hereafter arise with reference to the Packet Agencies.
Whilst at Shanghai, you should advise Her Majesty's Minister at Peking of your presence in the North of China, and act upon any instructions you may receive from him concerning the object of your mission, unless the necessity for doing so is obviated.
At each of the places visited, you and Mr. Rea will assess, in conjunction, the terms and conditions of each Packet Agency, so that they may be laid before the Hongkong Government equitably.
In the performance of this duty, you will at once see the necessity of allowing no expense but what may be absolutely necessary.