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the short interval between this and that date Your Lordship will perceive from the enclosed opinion of the Attorney General.
Enclosure No. 2
14.
one, and not that he considers it doubtful whether from the wording of the Ordinance I could prohibit the currying of merely all descriptions of munitions of war, which of course would be out of the question.
I am therefore powerless at present to give effect to Your Lordship's suggestion, whilst as to the future there is no doubt that the feeling of the Council and the Community would be entirely opposed to renewing any convention with the Chinese Authorities, which experience had shown would probably be only enforced by ourselves to our own special detriment.
Even if it were possible by straining the Constitution to force a fresh Ordinance through the Council, I trust Your Lordship will agree with me in thinking that this is not one of those cases in which such an extremely unpopular policy could be wisely adopted, as it could probably not now be uttering useful results, though I hope the gradual strengthening of the hands of the Chinese Authorities may enable them to join effectively in some such policy hereafter.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,
Richard Graves MacDonnell
Governor