to entertain the opinions expressed in your Cast mentioned despatch, I think it well to forward for his information extract from the despatch of HM2, Minister at ... to ..., which shows His Excellency's views on the subject, and I trust will convince the Governor that the Chinese Authorities have not exceeded their right to collect their revenue in the manner most suitable under the circumstances of the action in ... or that their action in any way infringes the provisions of the Treaties.
And I venture to add that experience of their intercourse with the Colonial Government must, on reflection, assure His Excellency that no spirit of hostility or unfriendliness to the interests of the Colony of Hong Kong exists or moves them either in this or any other matter in which they have found it necessary to make provision for the protection of the Imperial Revenue, whatever may be the opinion of those who anticipate loss by the stoppage of contraband trade.
I have &c.,
(Signed) S.B. Robertson, Consul.
The Hon. J. Gardiner Austin Cox, Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong