from all Foreign Powers
Foreign Powers in any way interested in the continuance of trade,
would be a fairer division of the expense
pro-rata according to the
relative amount of trade under each
flag,
should still view
arrangement
with regret,
such
any
calculated
to diminish that preponderating influence in Chinese affairs, to which
Great Britain is
justly entitled
by the vast superiority of her interests
in this trade
over those of other
Nations.
There can be no doubt, however,
of the perfect justice of the C...'s remark
that the Chinese Government might
with better effect be called upon to
contribute from the Maritime Customs,
a share, if not the whole of the expenses entailed on Foreign Powers by the failure of the Chinese in fulfilling their duties to themselves and to the Nations towards whom they
are under such solemn obligations.
Hongkong, 29th
(signed) W. Keswick
J.B. Taylor.
R. Rowett.
7th November, 1869.
(True Copy)
H. Merivale
Colonial Secretary.