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Inclosure 7 in No. 2.
Mr. Morgun to Messrs. Deacon and Co.
Gentlemen,
Custom-house, Canton, November 9, 1901. IN reply to your letter of the 29th ultimo, calling my attention to the fact that the steam-launches "Sing On" and " Ping Man," and several others--towing-junks-are allowed to call at any and all places-"Treaty ports, places of call, and all others "—and complaining that "it would seem manifestly unjust that they should be thus specially privileged, to the detriment of the Company' you represent, I now beg to inform you
that reference to both the Wuchow and Samshui Customs has elicited the information that- launches trading under the Inland Waters Regulations are not permitted by those Offices to ply to Treaty ports or to places of call on the West River, and that they would be punished if discovered doing so.
You will see, therefore, that these launches are in no way "specially privileged," and do not combine inland waters and West River privileges," as you assert.
That the Regulations are sometimes clandestinely infringed is possible, but such practice has not the sanction of the Customs, and penalty would follow detection.
I am, &c. (Signed) F. A. MORGAN,
Commissioner of Customs.
Inclosure 8 in No. 2.
Dear Sir,
Sir J. Mackay to Mr. G. O. Fearon.
Canton, November 14, 1901. BEFORE leaving Canton, which we do to-morrow morning, I hope you will permit me to thank you and the Committee and members of the Chamber of Commerce for the great courtesy, kindness, and hospitality which you have extended to us during our stay in your city. The members of my Mission and myself will carry away with us very pleasant recollections of Canton, and I hope the result of our subsequent labours may help to benefit the trade and commerce of this part of China.
(Signed)
JAS. L. MACKAY.
Inclosure 9 in No. 2.
Sir J. Mackay to Acting Consul-General Scott.
Dear Mr. Scott,
Macao, November 19, 1901. MANY thanks for your kind note of the 18th, with copy of your despatch to Peking of the 16th instant. I am very glad Mr. Morgan has made his proposals to the Inspector-General, as, if they are agreed to, they will go far to remove the complaint of the Steamer Companies; and I shall keep in mind your suggestions as to the further facilities which are required. We had a very instructive journey to Wuchow up and down the West River, and I think I have now got some understanding of the trade requirements. I take this opportunity of again thanking you most heartily for all your kindness to us at Canton and for the ready assistance you gave us in every way. I have got all our letters forwarded by you to this place. We get to Hong Kong to-morrow.
Would you, please, express my thanks to Mr. Morgan for having got us the goodwill of the Customs Commissioner here, who is very kind to us, and also for his courteous hearing of our grievances at Canton. I feel quite sure that he will do all in his power to put the trade on a satisfactory basis so far as he can do so without undue risk to the revenues of China.
Yours, &c.
(Signed) JAS. L. MACKAY.