CO129-137 - Sir MacDonnell - 1869 [4-5] — Page 373

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

10

369

owm Mandarins.

12. Your Lordship has to remember that whilst all the population here is in the immediate vicinity of the Mainland, - great majority of the influential native residents property and have children and other near relatives residing there. The instances are numerous of Hong Kong residents being compelled to pay from time to time large squeezes and exactions to the Authorities at Canton, because a refusal to do so would lead to the seizure of their property in China, and to the imprisonment and even torture of their immediate relatives. In the last War with China an order from Canton recalled in 24 hours almost all the Chinese and the Servants in this place within frame.

13. Of Course the Govent's had to clean their boots and cook their dinners themselves. Of Course the further a Colony might be from China the less easy would be the espionage and influence which can be so directly and promptly brought to bear on residents of an Island almost touching Chinese soil. Thus at Singapore there would be less danger and inconvenience of increasing, by the appointment of a recognised Government Official as Consul, the influence of the Cantonese or other Chinese Authorities there. At the Mauritius the risk would disappear altogether, or be unappreciable, but, with the full knowledge of the power exercised already by the Officials and the Guilds at Canton over residents here who 9/10th of whom regard the Vice Rey of the Two Kwang as their ultimate chief, they would be forced sooner or later to obey, it seems most unwise to permit an accredited Official, a spy and squeezer-general of the Chinese Government to take up his residence in our Colony.

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10 369 owm Mandarins. 12. Your Lordship has to remember that whilst all the population here is in the immediate vicinity of the Mainland, - great majority of the influential native residents property and have children and other near relatives residing there. The instances are numerous of Hong Kong residents being compelled to pay from time to time large squeezes and exactions to the Authorities at Canton, because a refusal to do so would lead to the seizure of their property in China, and to the imprisonment and even torture of their immediate relatives. In the last War with China an order from Canton recalled in 24 hours almost all the Chinese and the Servants in this place within frame. 13. Of Course the Govent's had to clean their boots and cook their dinners themselves. Of Course the further a Colony might be from China the less easy would be the espionage and influence which can be so directly and promptly brought to bear on residents of an Island almost touching Chinese soil. Thus at Singapore there would be less danger and inconvenience of increasing, by the appointment of a recognised Government Official as Consul, the influence of the Cantonese or other Chinese Authorities there. At the Mauritius the risk would disappear altogether, or be unappreciable, but, with the full knowledge of the power exercised already by the Officials and the Guilds at Canton over residents here who 9/10th of whom regard the Vice Rey of the Two Kwang as their ultimate chief, they would be forced sooner or later to obey, it seems most unwise to permit an accredited Official, a spy and squeezer-general of the Chinese Government to take up his residence in our Colony.
Baseline (Original)
10 369 owm Mandarins. 12. Your Lordship has to remember that whilst all the population here is in the immediate vacinity of the Mainland, - great majority of the influential native property and have children and residents other near cum relatives residing there. The instances Native. are numerous of Heang kong residents being compelled to pay from time to time large squeezes and exactions to the Authorities at banton, because a refusal to do so would lead to the seizure of their property in Chince, and to the imprisonment and even torture of their immediate relatives. In the last War with China an outer from banton recalled in 24 hours almost all the Chinese and the Servants in this place within framg: •that the 13. Uf Course / Goident's had to clean their boots and cook their dinners themoches, Course the further a Colony might be hom bhina the lefs easy be the espionage and would influence which can How Found!!! Snj be so directly and fromptly brought to bear on residents of an Island almest touching bhinese, soil. Thus at Singapore there would be lep danger and inconvenience of increasing, by the appointment of a recognised Government Official as Consul, the influence of the bantenese or other bahinese Authorities there. At the Mauritius the risk would disappear altogether. or be unappreciable, but, with the full thankedge of the power excercised already by the Officials and the Guilds at banton residents here who over 9/10th of the whom! regard the Vice Rey of the Two twang as their ultimate chief they be forced sooner most unwise to or later to obey, it obey, it seems permit Can an accredited Official. spy and squeezer general of the Chinese squeezer-general Government to take up his residence in our
2026-05-20 04:24:47 · Baseline
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10

369

owm

Mandarins.

12. Your Lordship has to remember that whilst all the population here is in the immediate vacinity of the Mainland, - great majority of the influential native

property and have children and

residents

other near

cum

relatives residing there. The instances

Native.

are numerous of Heang kong residents being compelled to pay from time to time large squeezes and exactions to the Authorities at banton, because a refusal to do so would lead to the seizure of their property in Chince, and to the imprisonment and even torture

of their immediate relatives. In the last War with China an outer from banton recalled in 24 hours almost all the Chinese and the Servants in this place

within framg:

•that the

13. Uf Course / Goident's had to clean their boots and cook their dinners themoches, Course the further a Colony

might be hom bhina the lefs easy

be the espionage

and

would

influence which can

How Found!!!

Snj

be so directly and fromptly brought to bear on residents of an Island almest touching bhinese, soil. Thus at Singapore there would be lep danger and inconvenience of increasing, by the appointment of a recognised Government Official as Consul, the influence of the bantenese or other bahinese Authorities there. At the Mauritius the risk would disappear altogether. or be unappreciable, but, with the full thankedge of the power excercised already by the Officials and the Guilds at banton residents here who

over

9/10th of the

whom!

regard the Vice Rey of the Two twang as their ultimate chief they

be

forced sooner

most unwise

to

or

later to obey, it

obey, it seems

permit

Can

an accredited Official.

。 spy and squeezer general of the Chinese

squeezer-general Government to take up his residence in our

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