The case with which petitions can be got up has been alluded to in my last despatch on the subject, and I have no doubt any number of signatures can be obtained both from Chinese and Europeans.
10. These petitions must not be taken too much "au sérieux" and as denoting any strong feeling on the part of all interested parties, but on the contrary as a sign of the general public's indifference in the matter. Fortunately the interests of the general community, the labouring classes, our sailors and our soldiers, are too evident to be affected by anything that can be said by petitioners.
The debates are before you; everything has been fully discussed; and the Acting Attorney General's report