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July by common consent for presentation to the Chinese Government, urging them to immediate action and pointing out the necessity of appropriating the tonnage dues on foreign trade to this end exclusively.
The minute in question, although initiated by all the Foreign Representatives on 17 July last, was not presented or any collective action taken, partly because the French Chargé d'Affaires desired to proceed further than his Colleagues, and, taking possession of the whole of the tonnage dues to apply them under a Commission to be nominated by the Treaty Powers as in the case of the Danube with Turkey, and partly also with a view to allow time for a detailed Report on the chief obstacles to the navigation of the Hwangpoo and the Yangtze, on which Monsieur Vignier, a French Officer in the Harbor Master's department of the Imperial Customs at Shanghai was engaged at Monsieur de Bellonet's suggestion.
I consented readily to this delay in order to obtain a more perfect accord among the Foreign Representatives, and with a view also of allowing time for Mr Hart to arrive, on whose assistance and willing cooperation I felt assured we might rely.
I am happy to say the result has fully realized my expectations, not only has Monsieur de Bellonet, upon further consideration, taken a much more moderate view of what the Treaty Powers might fitly demand, but Mr Hart's arrival has...