the duties were in abeyance for there did not seem to be a prospect of any speaking trade worth mentioning.
I observed that the Duke was well aware that I had always thought that the exclusive system set up by the French treaties with Annam was very ill-calculated to create or develop trade with that country, and I added that I found some consolation for the failure which he mentioned in the thought that it would avert the unpleasant questions between France and other Powers to which the exclusive privilege arrogated to herself by France would in all probability have given rise if the trade had become important.
The Duke said that he thought that he had settled all the questions to the satisfaction of England. On my making a gesture showing dissent, the Duke changed the subject, and said that he had had great satisfaction in seeing Lord Lytton a few days before and had, he said, expressed his confidence that Lord Lytton would feel as little jealousy ...
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