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Mr. Kerhot
I would be glad if you would write to Sir J. Pauncefote to consider some of these papers.
1. Is there not a good deal of difference between a Consul "collecting receipts for duty levied in China" and a staff of officers serving on board Chinese government ships and actually collecting the duty?
2. Is there any precedent for a certain department organised & established in one of Her Majesty's ports, levying duties and exercising independent jurisdiction, claiming therefore obedience by a police officer?
3. Observe that Mr. Hart avows his own wish to extend the powers of his Inspectorate while concurring, with what we know to be the fact, that the Maritime Customs is the most profitable source of revenue for the Chinese Government.
The blockade of the river and the islands near Hong Kong...