40
Canton to enquire into the subject. At the interview which
he held with the Viceroy on November 20th., the latter
brought forward this matter urging that many launches
which claimed British protection had no right to the claim
and that in consequence the number of piracies said to have
been committed upon British Vessels (rightly so designated)
was much exaggerated. The Admiral who (as I have said) had
already moved in the matter independently, promised to
look into the question, and the Consul-General at Canton
who was aware of the unsatisfactory state of things which
existed had already drawn up a draft set of Regulations
which were submitted to the Foreign Office on February 5th.
last. Their object was to enable these vessels to register
at a Consulate under conditions which would enable then
to compete with vessels under other flags, and at the same
time establish an effective control over them. The
Regulations lay down the papers to be carried and that the
Master is to be certified as competent by the Consul, who
is moreover given powers of punishment in case of false
declaration of ownership. The vessels would take out a
permit at the first riverain port, and would be exempt
from the onerous conditions of the Merchant Shipping Act.
The "Net Charter" System would not be permitted, and the
"Voyage