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Excellency, for as
pure
shipowners
are fully
alive to the desirability
of the Act in relation
to long voyages,
notwithstanding
the fact that vessels carrying any other than the British Flag can go and come without any such hindrances, by which indeed they benefit
to our disadvantage!
We are well aware
that
by Sect. 3
of
the Chinese Passengers Act of 1855 the decision in these matters rests
with "the Governor of Hong-Kong (who at that time combines with that of Minister Plenipotentiary and Superintendent of Trade)"
but
it is reasonable to
assume that such
decisions
would
be arrived at
after reliable facts as to the duration of the
voyage and its attendant circumstances have
been
submitted to
Your Excellency by District Consular officials, and
local information
obtainable from the Chamber of Commerce,
from Master Mariners
conversant with the particular voyage, had been duly considered. With your Excellency's
permission
we purpose forwarding to H.B.M's
Minister at Peking a copy of this letter,
it being
essential that...