Ultimately she gave her consent, without the privity of her Father to the marriage. Originally the objection on the part of the Compradore may have been based on pecuniary grounds. There is, however, not a tittle of evidence before this Government that such was the case, and we have every right to believe that the young lady was inclined to marry "U-Po-Saw", a man of suitable age, whom she saw in my office for the first time, her Father being there, and who would in personal appearance and position be a suitable partner.
But I would call attention to the hardship of the case. The British Consulate is made the medium of Communication to stir up the Colonial Government to action, and after considerable trouble the case is arranged so as to table a satisfactory answer to be made to the Vice Roy's despatch forwarded in Robertson's letter of the 20 August 1869 (@ 5.0.12218). The parties await here the settlement of their case, and the Consul, though to all intents having initiated the proceedings (for the case dropped after Mr. Robertson expressed his intention of not interfering on the application from Houghing) declines even to notify the Canton Authorities of the happy termination of a troublesome case in which they had asked our assistance!
However, as U-Po-Saw, the expectant bridegroom, came down here after the Consul had applied for assistance on his behalf, he had better be told to return to Canton and there take such steps as may be advisable towards facilitating the issue aimed at. His Government desires to protect a native who has been an honest, hardworking resident for twenty-two years.
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