216
January, when the Viceroy did His Excellency the honour of call-
ing upon him, the Governor mentioned the fact that when render-
ing assistance to the Chinese Authorities on the 5th. January,
the pinnace from Her Majesty's Ship *Tweed" was fired upon by a
larger number of persons, supporting the pirates from the bank,
and one man was wounded. While a wound received in such a man-
ner is one of the incidents to be expected in executing the duty
of repression of armed pirates, His Excelbency is sure that
the Viceroy will agree with him that the Village to which the
pirated goods were taken on this occasion and which opposed by
force of arms the attempt to rescue the cargo, should not go
unpunished, but that immediate staps should be taken to vindi-
cate the Authority of the Chinese Government by exacting a
fine from the Village equal at least to the value of the goods
pirated, and punishing the pirates for armed resistance to Chinese Authority. The Village is well known, and is commanded from the Creek. Her Majesty's Navy will be glad to assist the
Viceroy in exacting this reparation.
5.
Another important subject was discussed on the 15th January, which the Viceroy undertook to consider on his arrival at Canton. His Excellency pointed out to the Viceroy the advisability of permitting British Steamlaunches plying entirely in Chinese Waters, to call for passengers only, at any town or at any landing place on the river. These Steamers would be open to inspection at all times by the Chinese Gikia Officials and would be plying exclusively in Chinese Waters. They would not carry cargo, and the question of the Provincial Revenue would not be affected. They would afford a safe conveyance for passengers returning with money to their homes, and would indirectly have the effect of decreasing the
piratical