It was hard for the Centre to admit that by the appointment of a Consular Agent there, the British Government had virtually recognised the sovereignty of Portugal over Macao.
Within the last 3 months, the vexed question has had a narrow escape of being reopened by the Foreign Customs Inspectorate at Shanghai. Prepared opium had been brought to that port from Macao for exportation to various places to which, but for the privileges of the Canton Opium Farmer, it would have been sent via Hong Kong.
Whether instructed by the Tsungli Yamen or not, I cannot say, but W. Hart, I think prudently, instructed the Commissioner at Shanghai, who on the ground that Macao belongs to China, had inclined to dispute the right of foreign vessels
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