methods however I strongly object to the first, because accepting the highest offer would expose the motives of Government to misconstruction and degrade it in the opinion of the Chinese, whilst practically it would be almost impossible to carry it out.
19 From what has hitherto occurred it is quite evident that the most reckless offers would be made, the highest probably emanating from the least solvent parties. The result would be a break or at least a remission of a portion of the fees, the promise to pay which had been the original reason for rejecting the offers of more respectable parties. There would thus be nothing certain or fixed in a matter which it is most desirable should not be liable to change.
Not because such change would prevent the acquisition of the necessary experience by the Licensees by employing a staff qualified efficiently to carry out the regulations of Government.
But because such changes, which could never be adequately explained to the outside public, are in themselves more provocative of the suspicions apprehended by the Duke of Buckingham than anything which has ever occurred. In fact such suspicions do not and cannot exist so long as all transactions affecting the Licensees take place as at present directly between them and the Governor.
Page 360
Page 361