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partnership with Chan Tung-shan, but this was dissolved at the end of 1904.
The Viceroy has produced no proof whatever for the statement that the coal belonged in part to Chan, against whom accusations were only brought forward in September last, nine months after the date of the Bank's mortgage with Fung, and in spite of the protests of His Majesty's Consul-General that the coal is now mortgaged to a British Bank the Viceroy proposes to sell it forthwith.
In view of the facts that this British Bank has the first lien on the coal and that Fung Ta-chun is a British subject, the action of His Excellency the Viceroy appears to be entirely irregular. I need hardly point out to Your Highness that if His Excellency has accusations to bring against Fung, he must bring them before a British court, and that in any case the coal is now under the control neither of Fung nor of Chan, but of the Bank.
I have the honour therefore to request that His Excellency may be at once called upon by telegraph to remove the attachment on the coal and so restore it to its rightful owners.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Highness the assurance of my highest consideration.
(Signed) R. Satow