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Nevertheless, as I may hereafter take a prominent part in carrying out any plan decided by H.E. Govt, it is necessary that I should clearly understand my position, whether the suggestion now made, that the Colony of Hongkong should contribute $25,000 per annum in addition to the $20,000 at present annually subtracted from its revenue, be merely a suggestion to ascertain the wish of the Colony or be intended as an instruction.
You say, if the Colony will contribute £5000 per annum " &c. &c. Now if that phrase merely means that something will be done on condition that the Colony be willing to contribute &c. I think the question may be settled here, for I am quite sure the Colony will willingly contribute from its revenue to what it notably regards as a national and Imperial duty, viz. the suppression of piracy, which would not only be injurious to British trade as well as a source of annoyance and cost to all nations whose commerce extends to those seas, but also to the Chinese.
Every trading community is therefore interested in suppressing that piracy - which, unfortunately, is now rapidly increasing. Requiring people to seek or compel a further contribution from a free port like Hongkong, with comparatively few sources of revenue - in order to accomplish what is regarded as at least a national, if not a world-wide object, presents debatable points too salient to escape without more friction than might be desirable.
It would probably be urged that Hongkong merchants would not benefit more than Liverpool, London, New York or other commercial merchants by placing Hongkong under the orders of the local Executive of that Colony. That alone, if adopted, would be adopted entirely without regard to the special benefit of Hongkong, and it is conjectured, because, whether justly or not, it may yet be ascertained that in the interests of all concerned, the geographical position...
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and know
Nevertheless, as I mist hereaftre late a prominent part in Carrying out any plan decided by Hell Goot it is necessary that I should clearly
position, understand my whether the suggestion now made, that the Colony of Waughing should Contribute 25000 per annum in addition to the 20000 at present. Anually substracte from its Revenue, be merely a suggestion to ascertain the wish of the Colony
?
be intended as an
instruction
the
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все
You say, if the Cotny will
for. Contribute £5000 per amm Suntrat " & &. Now if that phrase merely means that a something will be done reze on Condition that the Colney be willing t Contribute & & I thich the question may Settled here, for I am quite sure the Colony
willingly Contribution for its revenue to what it Motably regards as a national And Imperial duty. Wes- the Suppression of piraing
would not
outside.
devote any
Edirtinal
to thigh near toy Krisking waters
and more injurious
Chinese
T
to British Trade
As well as a Source
of annoyance and Cops to all nations,
401
whose Commerce extends to those dea
left
Every Kading Community is verore of interested in suppreping that Piracy - Which unfortunatelly inthead of
is now rapidly increasing. Finishing
Perepe to sick or Confel a further Contribution from a free port like Hristang
1. with Comparatively few
Sources
Revenne - in order to accompliste What
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regarded as atleast a national, if not a world wide sopet, presents ibpctimable points to salient to excape without mone ersticions than might be.
desirable.
It would parbably be urged that Hursting merchants would not benefit more than Liverpool - Lanchas - M. York or com Chemise murchants by placing hoo finestrat under the orders of the of that Colony. That flone, if adopted, would be adopted entirely without regard to the special bempit of
and incluse it is Coyectured; Haghang-
local Executive
because.
Whether justly or not count yet be that in the interests of
ascertained
all Concerned, the geographical position
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