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trade and habit were not such that civilized Powers should do what they could to put a stop to them.
His Majesty's Government expressed their readiness to take part in such an enquiry if the other Powers named by the United States Government were likewise willing to participate and if, as regards China, the enquiry were extended to the production of opium in China as well as to the import of foreign opium.
Annexed to this despatch is a copy of a message from the President of the United States to Congress to which is attached a letter from the Secretary of State to the President, which gives a short history of the causes which have led the United States Government to issue invitations to the Powers named to take part in this investigation.
In May last the United States Government in notifying the Agreement of the Governments