439
to this Checcuber by the e&gents of the steamer "Galveston" setting
out the facts relative to this incident, copy of which I have to
es cclose, for the informuation of His Excellary.
the Governor!
I am directed to state that the
23 Oct. 1885.
Committer are not informed whether sovenign
rights
are
being exercised
exercised by the Freuch
Government over the territory of Tonquin,
in which this port is situated, or not.
this to be the case, and
okouering that the French Government is excreising its just prerogatives, the Committe fait to recognize any grounds upon which a protect can, with propriety, be made. against the cration of the Commander of the Zign", who, doubtless, acted under instuctions from his Superion; but at
the
se time, his procedure cannot, in
KHANALE
the
the opinion of the Committee, bevegarded otherwise than in the light of an unfriendly
act on the port of the Imuch Authorities.
A considerable trade has, for uney many been carried on
on between the ports of Sonquin and Hougkong, and the cloving
years,
of them to foreign brade would, snductedly,
be most injurions to the commercial
of this Colony. Should, however,
indlereets
any
such
restriction be at present contemplated, the Committee trout, and confidently axpect that, by
of friendly diplone;
_tie negotiation beliveen the Freuch
Imperial Government secch difficulties as exist way.
be removed, and that
the contiimause of the privileges oftrende
with these pork of Sonquin hitherto enjoyed by foreign whic