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of a treaty port to Hong Kong which it has been the object of the recent Convention to secure.
I venture to hope therefore that Your Excellency on further consideration, may see reason to agree with me in treating as chimerical and exaggerated the fears of the Mercantile Community and Colonists which have been expressed as to the dangers to be anticipated from the appointment of a Chinese Consul for the Colony, and to exercise the influence which its Government must always possess to allay unreasonable fears.
I have the honour to be,
(True Copy)
(Signed) Rutherford Alcock
Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary
Note of the Chief heads of conversation during an interview at Canton with the Viceroy of the Liang Kwang on the 28th December and again on the following day.
After an interchange of the usual courtesies and a few preliminary remarks on the favourable opportunity my presence in Canton afforded of conferring with him on various matters of public importance and best interest, and the advantage to both parties which might safely be anticipated from such personal intercourse and friendly interchange.
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