Sir:-
Rack
C. O.
1553
CANTON,
Red 22 AM 96.
18th December, 1995.
18
Under the impression that the disadvantages under which British Shipping labours in China would claim a share of my attention in the course of the inquiry into the condition of British trade which I have been commissioned to make, Messrs Butterfield and Swire, who do the largest coasting trade in China, have requested me to call attention to the injury their interests may suffer if effect is given to an ordinance which they have reason to believe is about to be enacted for the supervision of British passenger ships at Chinese ports.
Messrs Butterfield and Swire represent that whereas the lot of the Chinese passenger will not be improved by the projected legislation, British shipping will be handicapped vis-à-vis shipping under any other flag.
W. Beauclerk Esq.,
&c., &c., &c.
In