CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3] — Page 256

C 252 and others at the branch Custom House at Swatow. The tracks pursued is left to the convenience of those engaged in the trade, with the restriction, only, that connivance of search and other practices connected with smuggling are forbidden. Inasmuch, also, as the branch Custom House [at Swatow] is subordinate to the jurisdiction of the Central office, the administration, although seemingly divided, is in reality, one and the same.

As regards the collections made at the outer fort, and the registration and surrender of permits at these places, established rules are in existence, and smuggling is strictly prohibited. The clerks in the Customs Service employed are equally prohibited against practising illegal exactions; all of which has in times past been notified by Proclamations. It has of late been ascertained that certain evil-disposed persons have falsely assumed the characters of Clerks in the Customs Service and have stopped trading vessels at sea, levying exactions from them at their own pleasure, creating thereby alarm among those interested in the said vessels.