175
own Government which had been the cause of the trouble
alike from their inability to protect trade from piracy and
from their harsh and unjust treatment of launches under the
Chinese flag which had driven owners to seek a Foreign
Flag.
8.
The object of the patrol was of course
to bring pressure to bear upon the Viceroy and the collapse
of the indignation caused by our action, and the acquies-
cence of the riverain population in the presence of the
Gunboats would tend to shew that the pressure is ineffi-
cient to effect any result. The war vessels cannot remain
indefinitely, and the question arises as to what action
should now be taken.
I have not been consulted as to the
action hitherto taken, but His Excellency the Commander-in-
Chief has most kindly furnished me with a synopsis of the
whole matter compiled from Records in his office, and I am
indebted to this most able compilation for the resume con-
tained in this despatch. I have today received from the
Admiral a letter (copy enclosed) in which he consults me as
to what action short of forcible measures, can be taken to
put further pressure on the Viceroy. In reply I have
addressed to him the letter which forms Enclosure II of
this