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and acknowledged with sincerity his obligations to the Government of Hongkong for many friendly good offices.
The Viceroy is much impressed with and deeply grateful for the attitude maintained by the Hongkong Government in the matter of the import of arms, the harbouring of revolutionaries, &c., and Your Highness is also aware of that Government's action in regard to the prohibition of the export of prepared opium into China. I understood from the Viceroy that he was quite ready to show his appreciation of these good offices and to meet the wishes of the Hongkong Government in this matter, provided that the Board of Finance would forego the profits derived from the minting of subsidiary coinage.
I have the honour to request that Your Highness will be so good as to give this proposal of the Viceroy's your most favourable consideration. The injury done to trade both at Canton and Hongkong by the continued output of silver cent pieces at a constantly increasing discount is very great, and I feel sure that if the Chinese Government would categorically forbid the minting of any more silver subsidiary coin at Canton until they reach par value, and would consent to forego the mint profit except on dollars, it would beyond doubt be regarded by His Majesty's Government as a very friendly and courteous act, and as a real endeavour to give practical effect to their obligations under the Treaty of 1902.
I avail &c.
Sd/ J.N. Jordan.
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