Messageries Maritimes, by the application to their Steamers at Hong Kong of the provisions of the Chinese "Passengers' Act. In this letter it is contended on behalf of the French company that their vessels cannot be considered in the same light as ships specially engaged in Coolie Traffic, as they carry no Coolies, the Chinese who take passage on board their vessels being ordinary travellers who pay their own passage and enjoy the same rights and privileges as their European fellow-passengers.
Monsieur Gavard requests the favourable consideration by Her Majesty's Government of the grievance of the Messageries Maritimes Company and he lays particular stress on the difference between steamers such as theirs which carry ordinary mercantile ...