Obviously the doubt expressed as to the reception any Chinese Consul would meet was well founded. The freedom of the Port means to all appearances the freedom to all Chinese Subjects, to run cargoes from the mainland to the island, & vice versa, without let or hindrance.
The Chairman observed an attempt had been made to establish a sort of Custom House in this Colony, which had been met by measures on the part of the Authorities. The man who was to have acted as Custom House officer suddenly disappeared, else he would have most certainly been flogged publicly through the streets of Hongkong.
That the British & other Merchants resident there should be jealous of any interference of Chinese "Authorities", as calculated, however legitimately exercised, to damage their interests, is enough, & taking into account the never failing tendency of Chinese Mandarins to abuse authority, it is, I fear, too much to expect that a Chinese functionary at Hongkong, with Consular powers would not, in concert with those on the mainland, seriously interfere.