...
No.
NUMBER AND DATE ONDULD ME QUOTED IN REFERENCE
TO THIS LETTER
130
(2)
98
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
HONGKONG
The original of this telegram (i.e. the actual figures and decypher) was shown to me and in the circumstances it is
a little difficultto accept the suggestion of the Secretary
General that the Governor of Kacao "had evidently misunder-
stood some instructions sent to him by the minister of the
Colonies".( see Sir L. Carnegie's telegram No 183 of the 22nd
of November). However as Captain Correia was doubtless in-
fringing regulations by showing me the original cypher I
hope that it will not be thought necessary to pursue this
point.
(3) Captain Correia informed me that the Governor was
apprehensive of an attack in force and that the troops in
Facao though sufficient to deal with a filibustering raid
such as might probably be connived at by the authorities
in Canton could not offer effective resistance to a regular
attack. He enquired therefore whether, if, called upon to
help, we would send assistance from Hongkong.
I informed Captain Correia that I had no knowledge of any
such promise as was referred to by the Portugese Colonial
Finistry in its telegram and that it was impossible for me
to undertake to send British troops to Macao without orders,
but that I would telegrah to your Lordship which I di d
accordingly on November 15th.