(
103
remarks, prefacing them by the statement that from the very
beginning I have kupt the Legation fully informed of evory
step I have taken in this matter, end that consequently
at any stage immediate intervention, should such have been
called for could have ensued. The gravamen of the indict-
+
ment against me would appear to be an allegation that I
have surrendered a position successfully contested by my
predecessors. The fact howover, that since they had to
+
fight the battles of the opium importer, conditions have
undergone a complete change, is immured. Before China under-
took to suppress opium any tax on the prepared form of
that dru invariably formed subject of legitimate and
as
successful protest, in mich as the incidence of antecedent
taxation on its native constituents was an unknown quantit),
and that it was a matter of practical certainty that its
foreign constituents would under any circumstances be sub-
ject to differential treatment.
Now that, contrary to universal expectation,su m.ch