in the
which territory visiting or
population scheme
residing at Kongthing, could only be
attained
by
considerable
expense and
trouble, and also at a serious risk of rousing
the suspicions,
and wounding the prejudices
of more than 100,000 Chinese, who can
scarcely be said to have
yet
become
reconciled to the recent extensive changes effected by the complete Registration of native Householders and Shisching.
b.
I should therefore without express instructions to the contrary be reluctant
at
present to
move
and
incur
a matter likely
to occasion much
yes to remain barren of useful
results.
From what I have stated it is
7.
306
clear that I should only mislead Your Grace
if I were to bow to it now attempting to give
any
return
of the rate of increase or decrease of the population by the relative
or
proportion of Births and Deaths, because such rate must be dependent
on
the accidental
and
any
circumstances of each year and not conditions exercising a permanent effect
on
the population - peculiar circumstances of Wongtong may
be regarded as equally applicable to the European and Chinese population.
I have the honor to be
My Lord Duke,
Your Grace's most obedient
and faithful
humble servant,
MacDonnell
Governor.
DEX.