to fact, because the great mass of objections to the appointment of a Consul then as now to that Foreign Customs Board on British soil was general and special, based on both reasons connected with the mere nationality of individuals. It is quite clear, moreover, that wither a Consular or other Customs establishment would congregate round it unscrupulous and corrupt agents and followers whose efforts would be constantly directed to terrorising and squeezing the unfortunate and easily frightened native residents and frequenters of the Port.
I have, however, based my objections to the scheme on considerations more far more weighty and general than the nationality of the members constituting the proposed Customs Board.
16. I do, therefore, most earnestly hope that, if Mr. Wade's foremost duty is selling Manchester goods - and it is an important, though not the foremost duty which devolves on us worth purchasing - he may be invited to devise and cast about for means, some less pernicious than by the proposed sacrifice of the freedom and the consequent ruin of the Colony.