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purpose, it would - if prosecution is thought very desirable be necessary to produce, by some means, the original letter which was received by Messrs Jardine, Matheson and Company.
There might be some trouble in this, and, of course, there would be some weeks' delay, even if the telegraph were used; and it may be, in the first place, perhaps, worth while ascertaining from the Foreign Office whether they would think proceeding for a penalty of importance, in addition to the confiscation of all the goods.
It is possible that Messrs. Jardine Matheson and Company might, although they sent the copy to the Governor for his information, object to produce the original of the letter when it was required for the purpose of procedure against their correspondents; and without their willing cooperation there would be more difficulties in the matter than it would be worth while encountering.
The letter from the Governor of Hong Kong, and the letter also from the Colonial Office, suggest a communication with Scotland Yard. I suppose the idea of this is that there may be a tracing out of a connection between the Webley Company and Messrs. Ferguson and Company of Chefoo with the Chinese. I do not know what view the Board may take of this; it seems to me that it is almost too indefinite a search to start upon, and almost like beating the air.
(Sd.) C. J. Follett.
11th June, 1901.
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