"I premise my remarks by stating that my vessel is manned by aliens (Chinese) entirely, except the officers and engineers and myself, nine British; and that the "Lothian" is under time-charter engaged in carrying coolies to Mexico from this port, and is to load cargo at a port or ports, in West Coast U.S. America. The United States of America enacts most stringent Quarantine laws in its own territory at home and abroad and of late years the complaisant British Government has permitted the Government of that country to exact laws in this colony; and for some years all vessels bound to any port in U.S.A. whose crews are Asiatics, have been required to have those crews and their effects subjected to fumigation in this place on board a hulk under the inspection of American Consular Medical men. I would like to know, is the use of our own medical Harbour authorities here if their function is to be superseded by the appointees of an Alien Government?
At present no disease of any kind is prevalent at Hong Kong, and one week ago my crew and passengers were duly subjected to this fumigation farce. We have been detained here for repairs...