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Despatch of 15th May last addressed by Sir Rutherford Alcock to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
In that despatch Sir Rutherford Alcock uses the following expressions. It only remains for me therefore to say I have replied to the Consul's Despatch to the effect that I do
"not think either the Vice Roy or Salt Comptroller have expressed an adequate sense of the gravity of the proceedings objected to, and that official disavowal of and expression of regret for the acts of the cruisers, with offer of reparation to the persons illegally mulcted of money, or beaten and equally formal, censure and warning to the Salt Comptroller be expected of the Vice Roy."
His Excellency the Governor is now anxious to ascertain whether you have taken any steps to procure from the Vice Roy that apology and reparation which His Excellency always felt was due to this Government, in which opinion he is glad to find that Her Majesty's Minister in China so completely concurs.
If any action is to be taken in a matter of that nature, the interests of the injured party are