merchants, interested in the Opium trade here, chose to divert the bulk of their traffic to Singapore, from whence the consuming ports in the South of China may receive, as they do to a certain extent, their supplies by native crafts. Moreover, the proximity of the French Colony, Saigon, should not be lost sight of. The French Authorities will not let slip a favorable opportunity of adding to the utility and importance of their Colony consequently the native merchants be afforded similar facilities and advantages to conduct the trade there as they do it at present here, in order that they may export from thence to the consuming ports in this Country, which now receive their supplies from this quarter. That such will be the sequel to the inauguration of a Custom establishment at this place, there is no doubt in the minds of those who have a perfect knowledge of the...
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