complained of, I consider that any further expression of my opinions would be an excess of duty, and might lead to inconvenient results.
13. I therefore simply report my proceedings, which in that direction may be regarded as closed. At the same time I would very respectfully draw your Grace's attention to the fact which I have learned with regret from the Commodore that, acting on suggestions from Her Majesty's Foreign Office, the Admiralty has directed the Naval officers on this Station to abstain, in future, from capturing Lorcha fitted for what is tantamount to piratical purposes, though such craft carry no flag, and their capture, in the case detailed by the officer Commanding the "Drake", might be undertaken at the urgent request of the Chinese authorities.
Vide Enclosure No. 3.
14. Such orders must, I think, greatly tend to give confidence to the Macao Kidnappers, and I therefore draw your Grace's attention to the subject in case there be still chance of any...