216
it
was not conclusive evidence" of the Vessel's not being engaged in clandestine
trade. If not so convincing as proof of a problem in Mathematics, those
facts
were at least corroborative evidence
of
the strongest character, and Sir Rutherford's
Chinese
experience
should have reminded
him that a Vessel leaving for smuggling
purposes never does so without treasure
or merchandise. The inference, therefore, "that the "Prince Albert" was
on a clandestine trading voyage is at all events
probable and certainly
more consistent with the circumstances.
than the far-fetched and improbable suggestion, which Sir Rutherford does
not hesitate to put forward, viz.
that a
Vessel, which had been lying up for
seven months, and which suddenly fitted out without anything but a little coal and
provisions, was then
about the coast looking for
freight! What right has Sir Rutherford
to make such a
gratuitous suggestion
with a view to upsetting a plain story?
10.
I also call attention to his
making
in a manner so
public
and
so calculated to mislead as that
attention was
to the Chinese Authorities
quite satisfactory
or
the Consul.
The evident inference implied by such language must be that the Chinese
Authorities and the Consul had
originally questioned the truth of...