302
Acting Colonial Secretary to HM Consul
Canton
(5 Encl. in W. Marsh RM. O'Conor)
Sir,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong
Feb. 5, 1886.
I have the honour, by direction of the Officer administering the Government, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th Instant, enclosing translation of an important despatch from the Governor of Canton respecting the twin Navy expedition which he is forming against pirates & smugglers in the neighbourhood of Hongkong & Macao.
As soon as your letter was received it was forwarded and the following telegram was sent to you: "Referring to your despatch of the 4th of Feb. inform Viceroy that violation of British territory or waters will not be permitted".
To this I am directed to add that, while the Captain Superintendent of Police will be informed of the notice now given, it is not very clear what the Viceroy proposes to do, but it is understood that on no account can any violation of British territory or waters be permitted by troops or sailors from vessels which are to be despatched by the Chinese in search of the pirate-smugglers.
I have &c.
(signed) Frederick Stewart
Acting Colonial Secretary