64
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are offered that the Portuguese clain to the island is
not thereby prejudiced. Nor would there be any objection to
a joint expedition by Portuguese and British forces. The
only combination to which the Portuguese Government felt
obliged to refuse their assent, was a co-operation between
all the three nations, since they apprehend that this
might give rise to an impression that the island was a
kind of No Man's Land, in which any country was at liberty
to carry on operations.
Sir E. Grey trusts that the instructions sent by the
Portuguese Covernment to the Governor of Macao will
facilitate an arrangement between the authorities on the
spot for dealing satisfactorily with the difficulty that
has arisen.
Failing euch an arrangement the question may have to
be considered by the Governor at Hongkong whether pedantic
obstruction or dilatoriness on the part of either the
Chinese or Portuguese can be allowed to prevent the
taking of effective measures against the pirates.
I am, Sir,
Your most obedient,
hunble Servant,