injurious to both. A Board of Military + Naval Officers has, therefore, been appointed, under whose control the steam gunboat squadron is placed, & the system appears to work well. It is true, one or two of these gunboats are employed at the Likin or War Tax levy stations, but this is strictly military duty, & has nothing to do with Revenue.
As regards the flag used by these Gunboats being "square instead of triangular" I could easily arrange with the Viceroy for its being altered to the latter shape, should Y.E. see fit, & this would comply with the conditions in the despatch from the Prince of Kung of the 22nd of Sept: 1862 without further mooting a matter which is already complete.
Indeed, the question of a flag, when raised, could have easily been settled but for the action of the Govt of Hong Kong.
Your obedient servant,
(ad / D.B. Robertson)