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keep up an agitatiod which suited their purposes and
they have spared no efforts to fan the flame of popular
resentment and extend the boycott movement against
Messrs.Butterfield and Swire's steamers. Te sent a
representative to Shanghai charged with the mission to
stir up agitation among the Cantonese residents at that
port and attempted to draw the Chinese merchants in the
Philippines into the campaign. Put the prompt action
of Mr. Fox, who drew the Viceroy's serious attention
to the manoeuvres and also communicated with His Bajost. 's
Consul General at Manila on the subject, had the desired
effect of counterchecking these moves.
The Viceroy
issued a proclamation completely exonerating Mezore.
Butterfield and Swire from all blame and the affair
seemed likely again to die a natural death,
I regret to see, from a despatch from "r.Tox,
Copy
of which I have the honour to enclose, that Hessra.
Butterfield and Gwire, acting as they no doubt think
for the best, have taken a step which is more likely to
reopen the whole question and lead to renewed agitation.
Mr.Fox has, very properly in my opinion, refused to
ask