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The Undersigned were duly impressed by the pronounce- ments of the Commander-in-Chief at the interview he was good enough to grant us on the 12th April last, but in view of the impossibility of devising any practicable scheme for raising and maintaining a corps of guards adequate and dependable for the curposes required we would now, in the interests of life and property and British trade, most earnestly request that His Majesty's Government reconsider their decision to withdraw, as from the 1st April next the invaluable and essential assist- ance at present being rendered. Our considered opinion is that the termination of the present effective deterrent to piracy, without replacement by adequate substitution, cannot but lead to a recurrence of the deplorable state of affairs on the China Coast prior to the inauguration of the system now in vogue.
we are, Sir,
Your obedient servants,
Canadian Pacific Steamships, Limited.
(Signed)
Oriental Manager.
Per Pro Butterfield & Swire,
(Signed)
Agents, China Navigation Co., Ltd.,
(Signed)
General Managers. Indo-China S.N.Co., Ltd.
Per pro Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co.,
(Signed)
Agents, B.I.S.N.Co., Ltd.
(Signed)
General Managers
DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP Co., Ltd.
The Secretary, Anti-Piracy Committee,
Commodore's Office,
Naval Yard,
HONG KONG.