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consuming purposes; consequently had there existed a better system of government and the native subordinate Officials been less corrupt, the evasion of full duty on the payment of the above stated annual quantity of 10,001 chests, would not be evaded. Hence, it would be incompatible with the principle of equity, that the venality and corruption of the native subordinate Officials should be made up at the expense of this Colony.
For it must be plain to your Excellency, as it is to us, that the real object sought to be attained by the proposal to collect duty on Opium at this place, is to inflict a fatal blow on the future prosperity of the Colony, since the proposed Measure would tend to divest it of the advantages which it possesses as a free port, over those of Canton. And we beg respectfully to point out to Your Excellency that had not the trading section of the native community equally appreciated the