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officials could not possibly know that a piracy was being committed.
Some time ago 1 proposed that soldiers should be stationed on
board foreign steamers to protect them and to search passengers com-
ing on board. The feasibility of this suggestion can be seen from the
fact that soldiers have been stationed for the last few years on
Chinese launches to search the passengers, with the result that the
pirating of such launches has gradually decreased.
With a view, therefore, to eradicate this evil, and to
ensure the safety of passengers, i would urge you to direct all
British steamers to conform to the regulations in this province for
the searching of all such vessels plying in inland waters, of which
I have the honour to enclose a copy, and I beg that you will see your
way to accept thea and will favour me shortly with a reply.
Ì avail, etc.
!