CO129-012 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [5-7] — Page 285

Everu

deely,

at the hazard of losing what I much covet - the confidence and support Aur Lordship - to state openly my opinions to my superiors, and to substantiate them by facts relative to the true nature "and value of Stonghong, and to its necessary concomitant;, the British position prospects in China.

The Reports, Minutes and Papers writtere in support of these opinions were. transmitted either to Your Lordship - to the Koretary of State for Freige liffairs. - or to the Dords of the peasury ; and as understood they were producing some effect at home by suggesting barnes Euquines, and and

by causing a check to be the expenditure here, trisolved

put upon

although my

health and constitutions

have been much impaired by this climate, to await the result of those

Enquiries

230

Errors which

and

enquiries, and the correction

of time and circumstances generally induce: Having however, pocently ascertained that Governor Davis is proposing for Pure Lordship's sanction a further Expenditure of half a million of sollars for level works here, irrespective of the unnecessary extent of outlay

of outlay incurred and projected in the military brdnance departments; believing that Her Majesty's Government must be under great amisapprehension relative to the

balue of Honghong, and to the present. state of our affairs in China, and understanding that it is intended to Evacuate Chusan in Ebruary March next, without any attempt. negotiation for the retention of that most valuable and important island, (worthy of king an Angle Chinese (long)