1
views it expresses.
4.
The Memorandum contains
72
references
to various Confidential Despatches among others to the
Report of the Straits Settlements Opium Commission which
is not yet a public document, but I think that none of
these references are such as will not in due course be
included in Parliamentary Papers.
5.
The Community of this Colony are
naturally deeply interested in the steps to be taken in
regard to the Opium Question, which affects the Revenues
and the Trade of the Colony, and I have been made aware by
the speeches of Unofficial Members in the Legislative
Council, and otherwise, that there is a strong and growing
desire to be informed of the proposals made by myself to
Your Lordship which telegrams in the public papers
announce to be now under the consideration of His Majesty's
Government. I have therefore the honour to request Your
Lordship's sanction to lay the enclosed Memorandum on the
table of the Council.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient,
humble servant,
Mangang
Governor, &c. .