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are forcibly taken en route. The towns on the banks of the West River are very wealthy, the buildings, as seen from the river being exceptionally fine. With one exception these towns are all exposed to direct gun fire from the river. If the course suggested by Mr. Fox in his report were adopted, I think it extremely unlikely that it would be necessary to fire a shot, or to land a man. The fine demanded would be paid rather than have their ancestral temples and fine houses destroyed, and once it became certain that the towns involved in those piratical attacks would lose by the transaction the arrangements hitherto so profitable to everybody but the owners would cease. Under present circumstances all property carried in Chinese bottoms on the West River is unsafe, and trade is hampered. If the Chinese Authorities will cooperate, even nominally, this state of affairs will change at once. Not having had an answer to my telegram, I venture to submit my views for your consideration.
I have the honour to be, sir, Your Most Obedient Humble Servant, Archibald Anson Acting GOVERNOR, &c.