CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6] — Page 193

Viper's doing so after a certain date

regarded as pirates and

shall be regarded

liable to forfeiture with their

cargoes,

and that, on

his part

it would afford this excellency a very great pleasure to aid in reking a similar Ordinance in the Colony. I then remarked to

the Viceroy that,

as

regard

the

share of the Chinese Government

in providing

an

armament for

the suppression of piracy, two propositions presented themselves -

proposed

first,

by

a rate in aid, as the Governon; second, the

purchase of a light draught

Steamer or tivo, to be

livs, to be officered

and

·

}

the

192

manned, by permission of Admiral, from the Royal Navy,

at such rates of pay

determined

upon.

as

might be I also referred

to the chartering of Steamers to act with the British Naval Force. The Viceroy at once admitted that the Chinese Government was not in a position to Steam system; without he did not clearly

see

carry

how

on

preparation,

discipline could be preserved in vessels manned by foreigners, under the Imperial Flag; and he

was

of opinion that, until a service could be established under proper guarantees and