In a former communication I pointed out that Mr. Wade continually dwells on the organization of the preventive service of the Chinese Government, to put down smuggling through enforcing the establishment of various Customs Stations round Hongkong, as a thing about to be put in execution, & as something which the Colony rightly fears.
Whilst he alludes to it as an untried experiment -
I confess I am wholly at a loss to understand Mr. Wade's reasoning because it is difficult to suppose the Chargé d'Affaires ignorant of the fact that "for several years, in all the surrounding Consular districts for such purpose, new Hongkong Custom Houses have been constructed & numerous Custom stations established" - so that there is at Shantou, a complete system of Cordons & patrolling exercised, most vigilant & inquisitorial, with a right of search, accompanied too frequently by harsh treatment & corrupt extortion.
If however the trade is to be free from molestation,
Reference is taken by the Chinese, in
& Hongkong. Then the measures to which
M.
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he alludes in his despatch of the 18th July. to Lord Granville, & of those weekly being
much
Article
repeats, must be a fresh series of still stringent Revenue provisions and if so, it is no doubt desirable that the Hongkong authorities should have early knowledge of them.
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are.
It occurs to me that some light might be thrown, at least collaterally, on the subject by procuring & forwarding a copy of the regulations, under which these supposed friendly operations are to be conducted - & I express the opinion that such copy should be
presented for the use of the Hongkong Government, which may thereby gain some insight into the real meaning of a system hitherto enveloped in apparently needless mystery.
I have the honor to be
Your obedient humble Servant
R. S. Maldonnel Journoz
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