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view to the commercial advantage of both countries,
and the recommendation by His Majesty's Minister in
Peking that British firms should undertake the work
was due to his desire that the line should be speedily
completed and the transport of merchandise thereby
facilitated; not in the personal interests of any
individual.
As the section of the line within Kowloon territory
is to be constructed by your Government, this Government
will, on its part, raise funds for the construction
of the section between Canton and the Chinese frontier
of Kowloon; each Government to have exclusive and
independent control of its own section, and I would urge
that the question of British firms constructing
the Chinese section be now dropped.
When both sections of the railway have been completed,
a joint working agreement can then be arranged.
As regards the salaries and expenses of the Engineers
employed by Messrs Jardine Matheson and Company to
survey the line, I should be glad if you would ascertain
the amount from that firm and inform me, so that I may
duly refund it, as is but fair.
The plans and estimates for the line which have been
drawn up by these engineers should, however, be obtained
and delivered to this Government through you.
I have instructed Messrs Wei, Wen and Kung, to inform
Mr. Ross personally to the above effect; and I have now
the honour to request that you will be so good as to
communicate with His Majesty's Minister in Peking and the
Governor of Hongkong, as also with Messrs. Jardine Matheson
and Company and the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, in the
same sense.
I avail &c.,
(Viceroy's Seal).