CO129-129 - Sir MacDonnell - 1868 [1-3] — Page 86

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85

m

A

matter of so-much importance

to the Commercial intuents of the Colony. Indeed the Stamp Ordinance could not be otherwise than a frequent : topic of conversation in

almost

daily communications with the Ohniese Traders, and although a great deal of excitement is reported to have existed at the introduction of the (at which time I was absent from the

measure),

Colany), yet I found comparatively little val avecity displayed

real the subject.

3.

an

I have havwer taken considerable

pains to ascertain the exact state of affairs, and beg to report that in the first indance oving to the

agitation mitrated by the Foreign Community much doubt and uncertainty

those less

was

naturally felt among

- capable of gaining true information

ao

to the

working of the

Law.

4. It would have been most

unprecedentid had such not been

The

-case!,

when

we cassider that the native dealers, brokers and orhin

were

continually being told by the Foreign Merchants that the trade of The Colony

abart to be ruined,

was

and that the Chinese

b

as

body would

materially affected by the new

legislation as to be obliged to leave

Hongthing and offer businese houses

at Macas and

Cantar.