Employment of preventive measures against piracy has engaged the authorities in preventing junks from smuggling opium in the neighbourhood of Macao. The necessity of searching junks is no doubt the cause of much inconvenience to Chinese Traders.
This inconvenience is probably of a temporary character and will, it is to be hoped, be felt no longer when the arrangements for the collection of the Opium duty are finally settled.
Difficulties of a like kind existed, I believe, at Hongkong in the first imposition of the Likin tax, but they appear to have now ceased.
This action of the Chinese preventive service has, no doubt, given rise to the exaggerated rumours which have reached the Chamber of Commerce.
I am, however, assured by the Viceroy that the relations between himself and the Governor of Macao are friendly, and I trust, therefore, that this will not permanently interfere with any portion of the legitimate trade between Macao and Hongkong.
Have &c.,
P. J. Hughes
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