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I desire to correct their subordinates who may have exceeded my zeal, not unwillingness, in the performance of a harassing duty.
It is your business to look after your revenue and none of ours.
Undoubtedly valid and unanswerable, but there is such a thing as an argument becoming a source of great ill feeling; and I do not hesitate to say injuriously, there is a just impression among the Chinese Authorities that Hong Kong seriously affects the Revenue of the Empire, although I have ever done my best to show them that circumstances beyond our control are the cause and, with the best intentions, it would be impossible to avoid the detection and prevention of frauds, if such even could be foreseen by the Hong Kong Authorities.
At the same time, these latter must not be surprised at the Chinese Government taking very stringent measures within their own jurisdiction to check the smuggling evil by strict supervision of approaches to the Colony and the establishment of stations in its neighbourhood for that purpose.
Your obedient Servant,
[signed] C. B. Robinson
N. C. to R. Bland, K.C.B.
Peking.