243
AV
the
guilty parties, and more particularly whicher the Ohmise Anchorities were prepared to offer any compensation to the parties shamefully robbed by the employees of the Customs.
8. Although much that is very unusual appears to have taken place in the conduct of business at Canton, I think it scarcely likely that the Consul will admit that the men who had been sailing into Canton with their prizes and had been flying the Customs flag before the Custom house had any authority from the Customs Department for the character which they assumed. Therefore, if, whilst servants of the Government, they were guilty of extortion with violence, it would be only proper that their Government should make reparation, as well as punish their guilty servants. At least it is quite evident that in no other way is there so fair a chance of preventing repetition of similar wrongs, or of reestablishing confidence in the native trading Community.
9. I have not yet received the Consul's reply to that communication, nor have I received from him any explanation of the reason why he had not issued a Proclamation. However, it is important to note that a Proclamation was transmitted to this Port by the Superintendent of Customs last November, under which the...