Enclosure 2.
49
Canton after I had interviewed Expectant Taotai Wan Ho, the Superintendent in question, in the presence of Mr. A. W. Brewin, Registrar-General, when I spoke to Mr. Wan in the terms expressed in the attached note of our conversation.
3. Before I interviewed Mr. Fan I consulted Mr. Brewin who agreed that action was necessary to check Mr. Wan's pretensions. I also ascertained the views of Dr. Ho Kai, Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council, who said that he and his fellow countrymen would be relieved to learn that this Government were taking up the matter of Mr. Wan's official interference in Hongkong concerns. Dr. Ho Kai expressed the opinion, in which I entirely concur, that if the Chinese Government appointed a Commercial Agent to reside here such Agent would be merely a spy on the Chinese Mercantile Community to facilitate the fleecing of the richer amongst them, should they repair to China.
4. I now enclose copy of Mr. Mans-field's reply covering a despatch from the Viceroy on the subject of my protest. I have reason to believe that my remonstrance has had effect and that Mr. Wan will not be further encouraged to assume the official attitude he has been
Enclosure 3.