it might be possible to communicate to them privately Sir.. Stomby's men. But there is, I believe, reason to suppose that they have no disposition to interfere in the matter.
The question then arises whether H.M.'s Government have any power, either singly or in concert with other powers, to put a stop to the Macao migration. & I apprehend the answer must be clearly in the negative.
Even if the Portugal authorize H.M.'s Government to stave trading in Portuguese ships, the Macao emigration abuses does not come within any definition of a Slave Trade.
be the speech of a combined remonstrance from the principal European Governments & the United States, it is not easy to say whether Spain & France would join in such a remonstrance. Germany & Russia would naturally be indifferent. The U.S. would probably require preliminary action that we should equally give up Emigration to our own Colonies under certain conditions.
To join with other Governments in remonstrating with the Chinese Govt on the obstacles thrown in the way of Emigration, they refused to do so on the ground that they disapproved altogether of Chinese Emigration. Since large Chinese Immigration to San Francisco has taken place.
It will be for the Foreign Office to consider whether a remonstrance to the Government of Portugal would have any effect, and whether to support such a remonstrance any portion of E. Hornby's remarks should be communicated to them. I do not think that in the present difficulty, our Colonies in procuring labour are called upon to give up the possibility of re-establishing a well-conducted Chinese Emigration because the Macao Authorities carry on an ill-conducted one.
Upon this point I would refer to an opinion expressed by the British Consul at Swatow in a report to Mr. Alcock in 1866, quoted in my despatch. Some years ago, when invited...
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