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new absent at Shanghai's were here, I should therefore advise him to pay the sum exacted by the Chinese Government. It can make no practical difference to him whether his Vessel be detained wrongfully or not, if he cannot recover her without payment of fine, and if that price be less than the value of his vessel, it would of course be impolitic in him to lose the difference, especially as he need not thereby be shut out from all prospect of ultimate justice.
I have to...
(Signed) Richard G. MacDonnell
Governor and Commander in Chief
(Forwarded) By Command
Copy
Acting Colonial Secretary,
ED
REC
EIV
C:0:
SEP 4 1867
Aus & 111-15
Copy
Treas. infr.
Sept 16/67.
Sept. /by
N: 322
His Grace,
The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos,
Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State,
Government House, Hongkong, 9th July, 1867.
I have the honor to state for Your Grace's information that I have, for many reasons, found it necessary to prohibit any parties permanently engaged in the Surveyor General's Office from undertaking private practice.