70
although these ratio of charge for the conveyances of correspondence to and from Hong Kong in view of the extent and heavy expenses of the service; I have considered it proper to adopt them in the proposed arrangements, hoping thereby to promote postal and commercial intercourse between the Colony of Hong Kong and the United States.
The rates of postage to be collected in Hong Kong and dependent territories, upon the correspondence for the United States despatched by this line of packets, have not been inserted in said Article, anticipating that you will probably be willing to adopt, in the interest of commerce and of the public at Hong Kong, lower rates of postage than those suggested in my previous proposal, upon the correspondence forwarded by this line of packets to the United States.
As it is desirable to provide for the regular exchange of Mails between the United States and Hong Kong, it is proposed by Article 4 of the enclosed draft, to extend to the correspondence passing between those Offices, the benefits of the same arrangement.
I hope this will meet with your approval.
You will please combine with Article 4, the date on which the proposed arrangements shall go into operation.
I have further to advise you, that the Postmaster General at London, having in a recent communication, expressed a willingness to conclude a corresponding arrangement with this Department with respect to the correspondence exchanged at Hong Kong between the United States and the Indian Ports served by British Contract Packets; steps will be taken without...