In 9192
before being forwarded to the China Station.
I am &c.
(Signed) W. J. Romaine.
P.S. I request that the enclosures to Sir H.
letter
be returned.
Keppel's
may
Copy
49 121.
Sir,
"Salamis" at Hankow
March 22, 1869.
have the honor to enclose for the information of the Lords Comms of the Admiralty the copy of a letter & its enclosures I have
addressed to H.M.'s Minister in China on
the subject of defining the action
of H.M.'s Ships against Piracy
in Chinese waters,
leaving to H.M.'s Squadron the duty of suppressing
Piracy
on the High Seas, or in cooperation with
the Chinese cruisers on
the Coast line.
the more remote portion
It appears to me that the Chinese steam
fleet if properly worked would be sufficient to
Control Piracy in the Canton River & in the
neighbourhood of the Treaty Ports. By degrees
this may be led to assume the Chinese may
take the principal protection of trade
in these waters
The Secretary to the Admiralty