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by his Excellency to proceed to Canton, accompanied by the witnesses required to prove the outrages which were then being frequently inflicted on the persons and cargoes of legitimate peaceful traders in Chinese vessels clearing from the Port.
The result of the investigation held at Canton at the instance of his Excellency has been to substantiate, to the satisfaction of the Chinese Authorities, the reality and serious extent of the outrages.
Under these circumstances it is satisfactory to find that the Vice Roy has already taken active measures to terminate the harassing exactions, squeezing, frequently accompanied by violence, which has been practised on native traders from this Colony; and that he has not only caused the withdrawal of the improper notification by the Customs in November last but has also issued a fresh notification of a stringent character in favor of legitimate trade.
Copies of that document and of the foregoing despatch of Captain Robertson are now enclosed for the information of the Chamber of Commerce, which will see that, so far, a considerable step in advance has been attained, although much more is required to secure the legitimate trade in British manufactured goods from the