325
would have the effect of placing such vessels at the mercy of ... and that the search.
... many of the pirates of such junks carrying foreign flags, would be likely to lead to complications between Foreign Powers.
The opinion of the Admiralty as above expressed has been greatly strengthened by the forcible arguments contained in Sir Rt. Alcock's despatch, to which I have already referred.
The origin of the swarming piratical population afloat which has for so long alternately lived on fishing, trading, and plunder, according to the circumstances of the moment, must be traced to the long continued state of the Country, wasted by incessant insurrections, thousands of families being reduced to a state of destitution, with the alternatives of either to rob or to starve, and whilst some join the insurgents on shore, others swell the ranks of the pirates.
In it he calls attention to the danger of any sudden and vigorous measures for the suppression of piracy without some previous preparation by the Chinese authorities.
If entirely driven from the sea by any sufficiently vigorous measures ...