There is no security for life or property and as British Sub-jects are closely concerned, it is my duty to inform Your Highness and Your Excellencies that unless mea-sures are immediately taken to prevent such outrages I shall have to report, for the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, the advisability of taking steps to protect British lives and property either by patrolling the waterways or by placing guards on the steamers, the expense of which would be made the subject of a claim on the Chinese Government.
(Signed)
I avail, &c.,
Claude M. MacDonald,