238
March
Есили стел
1877, enclosing freedom of Navigation in the
Sulu Archipelago, together with copy of a letter from the Foreign office respecting the directions
given to the majesty's Ships to watch
the execution of the Protocol.
The information that reaches from the Sulu Islands respecting
this Protocol is satisfactory. It
has been proclaimed throughout the Archipelago, and the Spanish Authorities appear to be loyally
carrying
it into effect.
As regards the two British Colonies nearest to the Archipelago,
that is Labuan and Singapore (or possibly "Dongshing" is a misOCR of "Labuan"), both
are affected, though in different ways.
They are interested
by the provisions
of the Protocol and
from Her Majesty's recognition of the Sovereignty
of Spain
over the Sulu Island.
Whatever promotes freedom
of commerce in the vicinity of the
China
Sea
cannot fail to have
a decidedly beneficial effect on our
trade; and as to
the settlement
on the Coast of Borneo, it is especially interested in the efficient suppression of piracy from Maluda
Bay
to the Tawi Tawi islands.
During my recent
residence in the Straits Settlement as Consul
General in Borneo I have