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of the launch "Tai An" in the colony, that she was not
registered or licensed there and that, so far as was known,
she had no right to fly the British flug.
This information I communicated to the Viceroy on
Decomber 16th., and, as montioned in my telegram first
referred to, I heard nothing more of the utter until the
stoamor "Tai On* ) arrived in Canton on the 2bch.
of that month under arrest.
I venture to draw your attention to three points
in the foropoing, narrative of the events which led up to
the seizure of the Tai On".
In the first place you will observe that the Viceroy
in both of his despatches calls for a join☺ investigation
into the collision case. The officers in charge of this
Consulate-General have time and again pointed out to the
Canton Viceroy that a claim for damgos brought against
a Pritish ship is not a case for joint investigation, and
I have myself more than once explained, both verbally
and in writing, to His dxcellency thang Jen Thun tho
morning of the term "jud Altunt* (§ |ā] as defined in
Section