CO129-136 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [1-3] — Page 360

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

methods however I strongly object to the first, because accepting the highest offer would expose the motives of Government to misconstruction and degrade it in the opinion of the Chinese, whilst practically it would be almost impossible to carry it out.

19 From what has hitherto occurred it is quite evident that the most reckless offers would be made, the highest probably emanating from the least solvent parties. The result would be a break or at least a remission of a portion of the fees, the promise to pay which had been the original reason for rejecting the offers of more respectable parties. There would thus be nothing certain or fixed in a matter which it is most desirable should not be liable to change.

Not because such change would prevent the acquisition of the necessary experience by the Licensees by employing a staff qualified efficiently to carry out the regulations of Government.

But because such changes, which could never be adequately explained to the outside public, are in themselves more provocative of the suspicions apprehended by the Duke of Buckingham than anything which has ever occurred. In fact such suspicions do not and cannot exist so long as all transactions affecting the Licensees take place as at present directly between them and the Governor.

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methods however I strongly object to the first, because accepting the highest offer would expose the motives of Government to misconstruction and degrade it in the opinion of the Chinese, whilst practically it would be almost impossible to carry it out. 19 From what has hitherto occurred it is quite evident that the most reckless offers would be made, the highest probably emanating from the least solvent parties. The result would be a break or at least a remission of a portion of the fees, the promise to pay which had been the original reason for rejecting the offers of more respectable parties. There would thus be nothing certain or fixed in a matter which it is most desirable should not be liable to change. Not because such change would prevent the acquisition of the necessary experience by the Licensees by employing a staff qualified efficiently to carry out the regulations of Government. But because such changes, which could never be adequately explained to the outside public, are in themselves more provocative of the suspicions apprehended by the Duke of Buckingham than anything which has ever occurred. In fact such suspicions do not and cannot exist so long as all transactions affecting the Licensees take place as at present directly between them and the Governor. Page 360 Page 361
Baseline (Original)
} 355 9 methods however I strongly object to the first, because accepting the highest offer would expose the motives of Governmen to misconstruction and degrade it in the opinion of the Chinese, whilst practically "it waned be almost impossible to carry it sout 19 From what has hitherto occurred it is quite evident that the most rect less down, or at coffers would be made, the highest probably emanating from the least solvent parties- The result would be a break least a remission of a portion of the fees, the promise to pay which had been the Loriginal reason for refecting the offers of more respectable parties. There would thus be nothing certain or fixed in a matter which it is most desirable should not be changes liable to change. Not Because such furent the acquisition of the necefany prevent and the Constitution. experience by the Licensees by them of a staff qualified efficiently te out the regulations of Government. cany Quelly Because such changes, which could never be adequately explained to the outside public, more are in themselves for provocative of the suspicions apprehended by the Duke of Buckingham than wver occured In yet. ch anything which has fact such suspicions Executive do not and cannot exist sc ww regard gard to the long as all transactions affecting the Licensees take place as at present directly between. them and the Governor. NDE Page 360Page 361 10
2026-05-20 03:06:39 · Baseline
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355

9

methods however I strongly object to the first, because accepting the highest offer would expose the motives of Governmen

to misconstruction and

degrade

it in

the opinion of the Chinese, whilst practically

"it waned be almost impossible to carry it

sout

19

From what has hitherto occurred it

is quite evident that the most rect less

down, or

at

coffers would be made, the highest probably emanating from the least solvent parties- The result would be a break

least a remission of a portion of the fees, the promise to pay which had been the Loriginal reason for refecting the offers of

more

respectable parties. There would thus be nothing certain or fixed in a matter

which it is most desirable should not be

changes

liable to change. Not Because such furent the acquisition of the necefany

prevent

and the Constitution.

experience by the Licensees by them of a staff qualified efficiently te out the regulations of Government.

cany

Quelly Because such changes, which could

never be adequately explained to the

outside public,

more

are in themselves for provocative of the suspicions apprehended

by the Duke of Buckingham than

wver occured

In yet. ch

anything which has fact such suspicions Executive do not and cannot exist sc

ww

regard

gard to the

long

as all transactions affecting the Licensees take place as at present directly between. them and the Governor.

NDE

Page 360Page 361

10

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