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Inclosure G.
To the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P., the Secretary of State for the
Colonies.
The petition of all the undersigned Chinese merchants of the colony of Hong Kong-viz., Ho Sik, Kivok Achoong, Tam Achoy and others, and signed with 540 seals.
Most respectfully sheweth:
That your petitioners are residents of Hong Kong, all having been hitherto imbued with the benevolence of the Government, and singing the praise of its being a happy land.
That in recent years whilst trade has generally become dull, the water police and lighting rates have been on the increase, so that the inhabitants of the colony are suffering in consequence.
That now your petitioners have attained the knowledge of there having been an order issued from your honourable nation, commanding the merchants of this colony to pay a tax for the maintenance of troops here.
That your petitioners are humbly of opinion that this colony has no advantage of any productions of its own soil, but is simply a station for merchants of different ports.
That the taxes levied in Canton in comparison with those in Hong Kong are not one hundredth part so heavy.
That the latter place is not far from the former, and to go from one to the other it simply takes a day's voyage.
That on account of the late disturbances at Canton your petitioners resorted to this colony one after another like clouds, and if the people be heavily taxed and cannot afford to pay, your petitioners are sincerely appre- hensive of their immediate exodus from this colony.
That your petitioners therefore find it necessary and urgent to subscribe their names to petition and humbly pray that your Excellency will relieve the anxiety of the people and have compassion on their minds, and represent to Her Majesty the Queen on their behalf that extraordinary favour may be bestowed on them by the abandonment of the said intended tax for the maintenance of troops, then your petitioners of the whole colony will be deeply indebted in the great kindness of your Excellency, and as in duty bound your petitioners shall ever pray.
HONG KONG,
7th September 1864.
Translated by,
HO ALOY,
First Interpreter at the Magistracy.
(True copy.)
W. H. RENNIE,
for the Colonial Secretary.
(No. 168.)
Sir,
No. 12.
Mr. Secretary Cardwell to Governor Sir H. Robinson.
Downing Street,
26th November 1864.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 134, of the 7th September last, in which you bring to my notice the proceedings which
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