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Government.
I now beg to submit, for the information of the Postmaster General at Hongkong copies of her despatches which I have since received from Consul Hawes and Mr. W. Annesley, reporting their opinion, to which W. Annesley adds that of Chamber of Commerce at Hiogo, that the duties of these Agencies may be transferred to the Japanese Government, without disadvantage to British interest, if the present efficient condition of the Japanese Port Office be maintained.
As I mentioned to Your Excellency, however, in my despatch of the 31st ultimo, I do not expect to have an opportunity of proposing to the Japanese Government the conditions on which Mr. Lister suggested that the said Postal agencies should be discontinued, as the Japanese Government do not wish to open negotiations at Yedo on a question which they empowered their Minister in London some months ago to discuss directly with Her Majesty's Government.
I have &c.
(Signed) Harry Parkes
From Mr. Hawes August 6. 1877
From Mr. Annesley August 14th.
From Chamber of Commerce August 14. 10
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