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Colony
12.
The sneer with which Sir R. Macock refers to the importance of Hongkong and to its respectability, on account of our regard for the regrettable position he occupies, and his allusion to this British Colony which he has gravely made in a despatch to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, strikes us as too indicative of injured personal feeling, on the part of the Minister, to require serious notice than a passing remark.
13.
In conclusion, we would express our hope that the representations of His Excellency Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell to the British Government will lead to such notice being taken of the action of the Chinese Authorities as will put a stop to the oppressive acts of the cruisers and prevent the collection of exactions on the trade of this Colony, being any longer possible.
January, 1899.
(signed) W. Keswick
(signed) J.B. Taylor.
(signed) M. Gardiner Martin
Colonial Secretary