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general principle that no emigrant should be permitted to set out from Hongkong without the previous consent of the Chinese Authorities, as such a policy would not only unduly restrict the freedom of action of this Government but would also open the door to very serious abuses by way of illegal exactions on the part of Chinese officials and their underlings. Any formal agreement with the Chinese Government that emigration of Chinese subjects should not be permitted from Hongkong without its consent would in practice probably lead to a demand that each individual emigrant should be provided with evidence of that consent for which he would doubtless have to pay whatever sun could be extracted from him.
5.
The present policy which in friendly co-
operation with China secures that the interests of the
emigrants are properly safeguarded seems all that is
required.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant,
7.2. Stubbs.
Governor, &c.