226
effective action of the Chinese Government, by Her Majesty's Navy or by the co-operation of both. His Excellency will be glad if without
the safety of person and property can be secured the necessity for active interference by Her Majesty's naval forces; and with the launches at the disposal of the Viceroy there should be no difficulty in securing the safety of the river if their commanders did their duty. But the fact that the Viceroy has been obliged to cashier and punish any of the officers for having been remiss in their duties shows that these boats have not hitherto been efficiently handled.
4. It is evident that a considerable number of cattle could not have been landed and detained close to a large town without the cognisance of the inhabitants and the connivance of the local authorities. The value of the cattle so robbed from British subjects must be recovered, and should the Viceroy be unable to recover it from the town that permitted the pirated cattle to be landed, His Excellency the Governor has no doubt, that one of Her Majesty's ships will be able to secure the payment on the Viceroy's behalf, if he so desires.
5. His Excellency will be glad if the Viceroy will send an official to consult with the Officer Commanding Her Majesty's ships now in the West River, and to arrange in concert with