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giving protection and encouragement to a contraband trade, and keeps up a feeling of irritation incompatible with the peaceful and friendly relations which Her Majesty's Government is desirous to maintain with China.
13. In the meanwhile, I have to request that you will transmit a copy of this despatch to the Chamber of Commerce and also to the Chairman of the public meeting held on the 14th of September last, and that you will communicate to the Chinese Memorialists in such a manner as you will think most suitable, the substance of the views which I enter- tain on the subject of their complaint, not omitting to comment on the circumstance pointed out by Sir Brooke Robertson, in reference to the position of Her Majesty's name in their Petition. In deference to the wishes of the Chamber of Commerce, I give you authority to make public the Report of the Commission of Inquiry; and I cannot close these remarks without expressing my regret at being unable to concur in the views of so large and influential a majority of the mercantile community of Hong Kong, as well as the assurance of my anxious desire to promote their welfare and prosperity in any way that is consistent with those principles of international law and justice which have ever been maintained by Her Majesty's Government,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
CARNARVON.
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