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of a proclamation whose operation commenced on the 7th August last. 23. I have also had a similar return prepared for the corresponding quarter of the previous year 1868. Your Lordship perhaps will be more surprised than I was to find that, far from the terms of the Vice Roy's Proclamation and the activity of his Officers having diminished the number of vessels so armed, there has been an actual increase in the last quarter of 16%. 162 vessels carrying Sting-pots - although the total number of arrivals from the Ports in question during the former quarter largely in excess of the latter, being 1058 against 830 in 1869.
The increase in vessels so armed from the Vice-Roy's Port of Canton is 48. 106 vessels with Sting-pots against only 63 in 1868. It is also to be noted that although the arrivals from ten Ports are compared, yet in only one case is there any decrease.
24. My Lordship, I trust, will therefore seriously reconsider the grave responsibility of imposing on a foreign government able and resolved to carry out honestly and efficiently its engagements, the task of reversing its undertaking with the late Vice Roy to impose on traders to this Port burdens and restrictions, which have apparently so little chance of being carried out with equal strictness.