that the question to which they chiefly relate - viz. - the protection of Chinese emigration from Hongkong to Foreign Countries which has recently been under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, has now been decided.
On Sir R. Macdonnell's second despatch (No. 4, 9th April) you call for any observations that we may have to offer. In this despatch Sir Richard forwards a blank form of the agreement, as finally settled, which has been entered into by Chinese about to proceed from Hongkong to Peru. The Agreement is substantially the same as the copy enclosed in his previous despatch of 25th May last (No. 407), on which Mr. Murdoch reported on 29th July. It provides, as far as practicable, for the interests of the Emigrants; but as it relates to Foreigners and is to be executed in a Foreign Country, there can be no certainty that its stipulations in favour of the Emigrants will be fully carried out. Sir Richard indeed, as he reported in a former despatch, has taken security to the extent of £1500, to be applied in bringing the Emigrants back.