201
perfectly reasonable. There is no doubt that the Colony does as alleged, deprive the Chinese Government of a considerable portion of the tonnage dues that would otherwise be collected at Canton, and on that ground alone therefore it might be expected that Hongkong will do all that is needed for the improvement of the navigation in its vicinity, and bear the burden of this small share in the expense entailed by the whole scheme for the improvement of Chinese Ports from Haian to Newchwang.
As a matter of national policy there is further motive to be found in the necessity of avoiding an appearance of neglect of an interest, by a British Colony whose Merchants draw much of their wealth from the commerce of the China seas, and can have no difficulty, from their knowledge and experiences, from appliances, and want of Engineering skill. So important indeed do I consider it that no argument for supineness should be furnished by a bad example in a flourishing Colony at their door under British rule, that I have deemed it expedient to send a copy of the Memorandum confidentially to Sir Richard MacDonnell with a covering despatch, copy herewith enclosed, urging the expediency of a friendly and active cooperation, and should any intervention or sanction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies be needed, I would not disregard our obligations, in the general...
201
perfectly reasonable. There is no
the
Colony
doubt that
does as
alleged, deprive the
CH-
Chinese Government of a considerable #
portion of the tonnage
dues that would
otherwise be collected at Canton,
ground al
ол
might
and on that groun
alone
therefore it
expect
that
would not be too much to
Hongkong
will do all that is needed for
the improvement of the
navigation
in its vicinity,
and bear the burden of this small share in
the
expense
entailed by the whole scheme for
the improvement of Chinese Porto
lio a
As
a
from
matter
the
navigation
to all the
Haian to Newchwang
of national policy there
further motive to be found
in the
necessity of avoiding an appearance of neglect.
interest, by a British bolony whose Murchants their wealth from the commerce
draw much of
of the China beas, and can
such as
Knowledge
bhina
лол
pleaed no difficulty.
experiences, from
appliances,
want of
---|--
and have withal
a ready command of the best Engineering skill. So important indeed do I consider it
that no
augument for supineness should be
furnished by a bad example
in
а
---||----
flourishing Colony at their door under British rule, that I have deemed it
send a
expedient to
confidentially
of the Memorandum
copy of
to Sir Richard Mae Donnell with a
covering.
despatch, copy
herewith enclosed,
urging
the
expediency of a friendly
and active
cooperation, and should
any
intervention.
or sanction of the Secretary of State for
Lor
disregard of our
obligations,
in the genual
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