Chinese Authorities to suppress
which would the be
As
00
an
evil
expensive to
Piracy, and whilst I regard
Sir Amery Koppels proposal for
combined action as
... noise,
even ...
a
being obviously because it would waste time
delusion, I can foresee
a strong motive for action, and one
likely to bear practical result, in
a money
contribution from the Chinese)
Customs proportioned to the attacks
by Pirates
on Commerce generally
whether Natives or Foreign; for
it must
not be forgotten that British Commerce
has
a direct interest in the extension and security of native trade, which
is one
of the main
feeders.
It may
be
that there would be difficulty and objections to the course recommended, but the importance of the International duties devolving
on and hitherto so
systematically neglected by the Chinese
is such that I consider almost
any amount of persistence in such
a cause
involving
as it does
so many rights of humanity
and Commerce) justifiable.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble servant,
R. F. St Andrew
D. MacDonnell
Governor.