:
--
effect.
sufficed.
Formerly these efforts would have
Now something more was required and
it was furnished by the Ordinance, without
which the Boycott would, in the opinion of
competent judges, have lasted for an indefinite
period-- perhaps for 1 or 2 years. To repeal
the Ordinance now might result in a recrudescence
of the Boycott and would certainly so impair
the prestige and weaken the control of this
Government that consequences which it is impossible
to forsee might ensue.
I therefor propose to await the receipt
of your despatch in order that I and my Government
may have an opportunity of examining the reasons
for which it is considered desirable to repeal
the Ordinance.
Thereafter I shall ask you to
be good enough to allow me to state the strong
reasons which this Government can adduce for
allowing the ordinance to remain on the Statute
Book, reasons which I think I shall be able to
satisfy you are endorsed by the entire European
community, and by the respectable Chinese community
who desire as much as does this Government the
peace and good order of the Colony.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Domay
Governor,&C.
The Right Honourable
Lewis Vernon Harcourt.M.P.
&c. &c. &c.
414