354
good in territory considered
The statement made
belonging to Portugal.
the matter by the British
Govt might then be justified if no "Hongkong might in" more protected then Macao agst the foreseen dangers. The question, however, is quite a different
merely on the identity of the situation
be justified if not inexact
such an instance be considered,
one. It is
Party. of the two Colonies in relation to the Pacts of Control & Customs Morice Branches, on the affinity interest, or on the identity of the principles maintained by the British & Portuguese Govts
in
to their relations with China, that the
rexp: suggestion by Portugal as
weak
as
to a common action
grounded, in order to oppose a simultaneous check to certain plans which altho carried out
dear
to
for the present in territory certainly belonging China as apparently enjoying the rights of Sovereignty an independent State, might in future injure, under the influence of a Govt that has proved to be very unscrupulous in respecting the rights of others,
"wh
others, the legitimate interests of the European
Commerce in
Allous regions
at a more or less
remote period. From such an understanding
was to be
expected, of
t
in fact the Govt of which
I have the honour to be a member did exclusively
the
expect, a greater facility & promptitude in the negotiations that might be undertaken, more prudence or more
& more respect on the part of the "Chinese Govt in the adoption of their controlling or Custom Regulations as as not to
injure rights of interests of the European Nations & the Subjects there of carrying on places. Amongst the threatening dangers to European Commerce of Hongkong the Portuguese Govt seems to foresee, should the Chinese Govt persist in the injurious policy towards the two Colonies, as to their scheme of Posts of Control of Customs, the recognition of
on Commerce in those
to the
& Macao ơḥ
Hong Kong by Treaty racket cannot, in
humble
opinion,
stand as an
exception.
my
By