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cope with a Chinese mob in peace, or, in war, to support our weak Garrison against a Foreign attack.
8.
For the constant necessity of an armed and disciplined Police Corps at Hong Kong, as fully proved by General Dargent and myself in our recent despatches, has of late become intensified in consequence of the generally hostile feeling against foreigners which the threatened war with France and other recent events have again called forth among the Chinese, and by the serious disturbances of the past three months at the neighbouring city of Canton. In my despatch 19331 of this date, I have shown that the great majority of the Chinese population of Hong Kong are from Canton, and share the feelings and passions of their countrymen. Moreover, this island has always been, to a large degree, a diaspora for the dangerous classes of southern China. It is reported by the Police, and from many other quarters, that this is especially...