is
482
On the afternoon of January 1st. the long; throatened
boycott actually occurred. As you will see from Ir. Porter's
report, copy of which I have the honour to enclose, the
aff ir had evidently been prearranged; there was no dis-
turbance and the police were easily able to control the
crowds that had collected in tho nuighbourhood of the
wharves. The "Fatalin" loft for Hongkong that evening
practically empty.
The Self Government Society, having apparently
gained their object, issued a circular the following mor-
ning deprecating a boycott of the "Fatahan", and calling
on the people of Canton to be quiet and patient. I an
unable to enclose translation of this circular, I
handed the only copy I was able to obtain to the Viceroy
at an interview I had with His Excellency that afternoon.
Commodore Lyon having arrived at Canton on the evening
of December 31st. I availed myself of the opportunity
afforded by his official call on the Viceroy to improse
once again upon is Excellency the serious consequences
that would inevitably ensue if the Self Government Society
were