A:16.
The annexed correspondence is published for general information.
To A. R. JOHNSTON, Esq.
Dep. Superintendent of British Trade-Hongkong.
Sir,-As it entails upon the commercial community immense inconvenience to have the packets of ships arriving at Macao (and the master of almost every merchant vessel first reports himself here to the consignee) sent over to Hongkong (where none but H. M. servants reside), to be opened by you, we have to request you will be good enough to appoint some person to do the needful here.
The Madagascar is a case in point, for the packets by her, though landed at the Hotel, could not be opened in consequence of a recent order of yours to the contrary, but were sent to Hongkong and returned here four days afterwards; the City of Palaces having in the meanwhile left for Calcutta, by which, had the steamer's letters been distributed on arrival, we should have been able to forward...
We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servants,
DENT & CO.
MACVICAR & Co.
LINDSAY & Co.
BELL & CO.
To Messrs. Dent & Co. and others,
H. M. Subjects at Macao.
Macao, Monday, 20th September, 1841.
Gentlemen,-I yesterday received your letter without date respecting the arrangements that, with some pains, I have made to insure the safety of all letters coming to this country to the address of the Postmaster at Hongkong. These arrangements have not been made unadvisedly, but are the result of some observation and experience: and I believe they will be found in the long run to insure better than any other, my main object, as well as expedition in the delivery of the majority of the letters coming under my consideration.
I am sorry that part of the English commercial community residing at Macao should not receive their letters so expeditiously as they wish. But, although I am anxious to facilitate all commercial operations wherever they are carried on, I at the same time must not lose sight of other public interests, and I do not at present see that I can obtain my object by any other means than those I have adopted.
I think the power to prevent much of the inconvenience you complain of is in your own hands: for those who like it can always appoint an agent at Hongkong to receive their letters, and to send them over here by any opportunity they may prefer, if they are not satisfied with allowing them to be sent over here for them to the Superintendent's office.
It is likewise in your power, Gentlemen, to instruct your respective agents at the different places from which you are in the habit of receiving letters not to have them made up in the packets addressed to the Postmaster at Hongkong.
In order that there may be no mistake on this subject, I request you will be so good as to have this correspondence made as public as it is possible, either by publication in the newspapers, or by any other means that you may think most desirable.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Humble Servant,
A. R. JOHNSTON, Deputy Superintendent.
39
A:16.
The annexed correspondence is published for
general information.
To A. R. JOHNSTON, Esq.
Dep. Superintendent of British Trade-Hongkong. Sir,-As it entails upon the commercial community immense inconvenience to have the packets of ships arriv ing at Macao (and the master of almost every merchant vessel first reports himself here to the consignee) sent over to Hongkong (where none but H. M. servants reside), to be opened by you, we have to request you will be good enough to appoint so he person to do the needful here.
The Madagascar is a case in point, for the packets by her, though landed at the Hotel, could not be opened in consequence of a recent order of yours to the contrary, but were sent to Hongkong and returned here four days after. wards; the City of Palaces having in the meanwhile left for Calcutta, by which, had the steamer's letters been dis. tributed on arrival, we should have been able to forward
We have the honor to be, Sir, replies.
Your most obedient servants,
DENT & CO.
MACVICAR & Co.
LINDSAY & Co.
BELL & CO.
To Messrs. Dent & Co. and others,
H. M. Subjects at Macao.
Macao, Monday, 20th September, 1841. Gentlemen,- yesterday received your letter without date respecting the arrangements that, with some pains, I have made to insure the safety of all letters coming to this country to the address of the Postmaster at Hong- kong. These arrangements have not been made unadvi- sedly, but are the result of some observation and experi- ence: and believe they will be found in the long run to insure better than any other, my main object, as well as expedition in the delivery of the majority of the letters coming under my consideration.
I am sorry that part of the English commercial com. munity residing at Macao should not receive their letters so expeditiously as they wish. But, although I am anxions to facilitate all commercial operations wherever they are carried on, 1 at the same time must not lose sight of other public interests, and I do not at present see that I can obtain my object by any other means than those I have adopted.
I think the power to prevent much of the inconvenience you complain of is in your own hands: for those who like it can always appoint an agent at Hongkong to receive their letters, and to send them over here by any opportu. nity they may prefer, if they are not satisfied with allowing them to be sent over here for them to the Superintendent's office.
It is likewise in your power, Gentlemen, to instruct yourr respective agents at the different places from which you are in the habit of receiving letters not to have them made up in the packets addressed to the Postmaster at Hong- kong.
In order that there may be no mistake on this subject, I request you will be so good as to have this correspon. dence made as public as it is possible, either by publication in the newspapers, or by any other means that you may think most desirable. I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Humble Servant,
A. R. JOHNSTON, Deputy Superintendent.
39
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