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instructions have been sent to the officials concerned" etc. etc. Admiral Ho, the Commander in Chief, who should properly be the officer to inaugurate a vigorous campaign against the pirates, appears absolutely supine and incapable of dealing with the evil.
I have the honour to enclose copy of a letter just received from the Agents of a line of steamers which ply under the British Flag between this and Wuchow, reporting two cases occurring on the 29th and 30th ultimo, in which piracy
of the British steamer "Lung Shan" was probably only averted by a fortunate chance and the vigilance of the European Captain. I also enclose copy of a despatch sent by me to the Viceroy on
the subject of the first of these cases.
It appears to me hopeless to expect any vigorous action from the officials here, and there is no possibility of
getting the evil abated without foreign cooperation both on land and water. Earnestly recommending this matter to your
consideration.
P.3.
I have &c.
(Signed) R.W. Mansfield.
I am sending copy of this despatch and its
enclosures to His Excellency the Governor of Hong Kong and
to the Admiral.
(Signed) R.W. Mansfield