1
#30*
11
as I was aware been recognised by His majesty's Govern-
-ment.
The Commodore told me that there
were two River Gunboats at Canton which made constant
visits to Macae, and frequently remained there for a.
considerable time. Their departure, therefore for Macao
could not raise any apprehension on the part of the
Chinese. I accordingly requested him on the night of
November 30th., to telegraph orders to them to proceedto
Macao with the object of rendering assistance to British
subjects in case any necessity arose. At the same time I
verbally told the Consul-General of centon (who happened
to be in Hongkong on that night) that in case he should her
any enquiries he could inform the Chinese that the Gun-
-boats had gone to protect British subjects in case of
need.
The Commodore at the same time
despatched an Officer to report on the situation, and on
the 3rd. instant he returned with the following information:-
"The animosity of the revolution-
'-ary party is directed more against the Government,
whom
*they accuse of not complying with the orders of the Home
"Government, than against the religious orders: the
Italian