३
85
m
A
matter of so-much importance
to the Commercial intuents of the Colony. Indeed the Stamp Ordinance could not be otherwise than a frequent : topic of conversation in
almost
daily communications with the Ohniese Traders, and although a great deal of excitement is reported to have existed at the introduction of the (at which time I was absent from the
measure),
Colany), yet I found comparatively little val avecity displayed
real the subject.
3.
an
I have havwer taken considerable
pains to ascertain the exact state of affairs, and beg to report that in the first indance oving to the
agitation mitrated by the Foreign Community much doubt and uncertainty
those less
was
naturally felt among
- capable of gaining true information
ao
to the
working of the
Law.
4. It would have been most
unprecedentid had such not been
The
-case!,
when
we cassider that the native dealers, brokers and orhin
were
continually being told by the Foreign Merchants that the trade of The Colony
abart to be ruined,
was
and that the Chinese
b
as
body would
materially affected by the new
legislation as to be obliged to leave
Hongthing and offer businese houses
at Macas and
Cantar.