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must be attached to the opinion of both the British and
the Chinese authorities, that the island of Don Juan ie
infested with pirates, and that therefore energetic action
is essential in the interest of all the three powers.
Monsieur Teixeira-Gomes undertook to urge his Government
to instruct the Governor of Macao to agree to the
co-operation of a Chinese land force, and, if necessary,
also of a British nan-of-war, arranging for suitable
guarantees that the Portuguese claim to the island shall in
no way be prejudiced by any proceedings now taken against
the pirates.
To the telegran which he accordingly despatched to
Lisbon, he received a reply of which he communicated the
substance to this Department to-day: The Portuguese
Government declare that they are quite ready and will so
instruct the Governor of Macao, to authorize the necessary
operations against the pirates. The Governor will be
directed either to confide those operations exclusively to
the Portuguese forces at his disposal, or to agree to the
co-operation of a Chinese force provided suitable guarantees
are