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419
that the tonnage of the shipping which annually enters this port already amounts to nearly four millions; that is, it is nearly equal to the tonnage which entered the Port of London in 1837, the year of the accession of the present Queen, at a period when this island was a desolate rock visited by only a few Chinese pirates and fishermen. Still it is presumed that if the interests of the Imperial Fortress should at any time clash with the interests of the Imperial Emporium either at Hongkong or at Gibraltar, the Fortress would prevail over the Emporium
(2) The annual pay and allowances the General Commanding at Hongkong amount to about two thousand five hundred pounds (£2,500). As the Governor receives six thousand (£6000) per annum (i.e. nominally, for owing to the great depreciation of the silver currency, this sum is not equivalent to more than about £5,200 in English money), an economy of above £2,500 would result from the union of the two offices; and the sum thus saved