544
: Aird
zealously performed by the Gunboats under the orders of this Excellency the Viceroy, the effect produced would be very satisfactory, perhaps the results might be such as to obviate the necessity of having a Chinese Gunboat stationed at Hongkong, for the performance of that service. However, the suggestion that an act of piracy being reported, a British Vessel should be sent to communicate and cooperate with the Chinese Gunboat, could with difficulty be carried out, and co-operation could only be afforded in case it was shown that the Chinese force was insufficient. In such contingency I should be very willing to afford any assistance in my power.
I do not consider that any advantage would result from the first proposition, - place a Chinese official at Kowloong, if necessary, and as in the second - it's effect would be to shift the onus of suppressing piracy in Chinese waters from the Chinese authorities to the British. This being clearly contrary to the existing treaties between Great Britain