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You will see from the former Sir R.G. MacDonnell is much excited, much agitated by the action of the Chinese Authorities, and he formally records his protest against it.
To this despatch I replied on the 13th instant, and received an answer from the Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong on the 20th instant, in which the Governor renews his protest. I then considered the time had come to place your Lordship before him in the matter, which I did on the 23rd instant, by transmitting Extract in full from your despatch of the 9th of May (Copy A to A).
Copies of these letters I have the honour to enclose, together with the reply received.
Col: Secretary to Coment No 137. 13 July
Coment for Col: Secretary No 146. 23 July
Col. Secretary to Consul No 357, 30 July
Your Excellency has so fully exemplified the rights of the Chinese Government in this matter that I have little to remark upon except the position assumed by the Governor and the foreign Mercantile body, Copy of whose address to His Excellency I enclose.
The latter was to be expected, as Mercantile interests are sensitive under interference, although I miss from the address the names of several influential firms, but the protest of the Governor on the grounds of the scheme being in contravention of the spirit of Civilized nations, in contravention of Customary ...