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Rutherford that I am not disposed to follow his example, and I regret much the unfavorable impression produced by his recent proceedings.
A Community little as it may be said thoroughly to know the real merits of such a case is unpleasantly moved by the apparent reluctance of both the Consul and the Minister to do anything for a party claiming their interference except to snub him and discredit his story, which nevertheless has been refuted.
People here naturally fear that what has happened once may happen again, and perhaps to themselves. Awek Cheong, it is true, is only a Chinese, but he has formerly rendered the British Government substantial aid in critical moments. Vide Enclosure No 3.
and his word is relied on here, whilst it cannot be overlooked that when Sir Rutherford declares the evidence of Kwok A Cheong and the respectable Chinese Merchants, whose testimony was produced on that behalf to be insufficient proof even of the object of the Prince Albert's voyage, a fact within their knowledge, it can only be for one reason viz that he thinks such men unworthy of credit. If so the Members of the Chinese Community here may be regarded as incapable of giving testimony in their own behalf, and as being thereby exposed to every extortion.
Such a result in reference to the Chinese settled here under the ...