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honest and legitimate traders trading hence to the Mainland. Cargo hence to the
2. I mentioned (Para 22) that I attached so much importance to the investigation into the facts connected with the cases, which I brought to the Consul's attention, that I had despatched the Acting Registrar General Mr Lister to Canton with the witnesses. As he speaks Chinese, I wished him to report his opinion generally on the investigation which I expected to be held, and I was also anxious that he might by his presence protect the witnesses against any unfavourable tempering by the Chinese with them, or corruption or intimidation.
3. That Officer having since returned here, and transmitted a general Report of the proceedings at Canton, I enclose it. Your Excellency will observe that the evidence given by the witnesses as given before the Vice Consul is reported to have been entirely corroborative of the statements made by them here. It also seems that the Chinese Authorities do not deny the facts. It appears however from Mr Lister's report that Consul Robertson took umbrage at the former's presence in Canton, which surprises me greatly. I should have expected Mr Robertson to have found great assistance from the presence of a person qualified to keep the witnesses together and give them confidence, as the Registrar General, who is by his office