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I may add that when alluding to the Despatch of the 3rd April regarding these proceedings as bringing discredit on the Portuguese Flag, I did not, as your Excellency assumes, intend to convey that the Lonchas and other piratical boats were actually sailed under the Portuguese Flag, but simply that the latter is the Flag responsible for the continued maintenance of a system which offers no real obstruction to the operations of Kidnaphers — as proved by the facility with which Coolies wrongfully seized are systematically passed through all the Regulations of the Port of Macao:
It is probable that here our code of Rules on the subject is not half so numerous and perhaps not so stringent on paper as that of your Excellency's Government, but its practical administration is such as to preclude all hope of eluding the vigilance of the Executive and consequently no such attempts are made here. I regard that result as the only admissible test of the vitality and efficiency of such Rules.
(True Copy)
(Signed) Richard Graves MacDonnell
Governor and Commander-in-Chief
acting Colonial Secretary.
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