CO129-141 - Public Offices - 1869 — Page 146

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

Obviously the doubt expressed as to the reception any Chinese Consul would meet was well founded. The freedom of the Port means to all appearances the freedom to all Chinese Subjects, to run cargoes from the mainland to the island, & vice versa, without let or hindrance.

The Chairman observed an attempt had been made to establish a sort of Custom House in this Colony, which had been met by measures on the part of the Authorities. The man who was to have acted as Custom House officer suddenly disappeared, else he would have most certainly been flogged publicly through the streets of Hongkong.

That the British & other Merchants resident there should be jealous of any interference of Chinese "Authorities", as calculated, however legitimately exercised, to damage their interests, is enough, & taking into account the never failing tendency of Chinese Mandarins to abuse authority, it is, I fear, too much to expect that a Chinese functionary at Hongkong, with Consular powers would not, in concert with those on the mainland, seriously interfere.

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Obviously the doubt expressed as to the reception any Chinese Consul would meet was well founded. The freedom of the Port means to all appearances the freedom to all Chinese Subjects, to run cargoes from the mainland to the island, & vice versa, without let or hindrance. The Chairman observed an attempt had been made to establish a sort of Custom House in this Colony, which had been met by measures on the part of the Authorities. The man who was to have acted as Custom House officer suddenly disappeared, else he would have most certainly been flogged publicly through the streets of Hongkong. That the British & other Merchants resident there should be jealous of any interference of Chinese "Authorities", as calculated, however legitimately exercised, to damage their interests, is enough, & taking into account the never failing tendency of Chinese Mandarins to abuse authority, it is, I fear, too much to expect that a Chinese functionary at Hongkong, with Consular powers would not, in concert with those on the mainland, seriously interfere.
Baseline (Original)
4 obvious the doubt Texpressed as to the reception any 'in Las Chinese Consul would meet it "Hongthing if exercising his functions United States Consul might do as any ot Liverpool, everywhere or as Britial Consuls do de in Chinese Territory in regard to manifests, ships, papers, ye was well founded. The freedom of the Part means to all appearances the freedom to all ap Chinese Subjects, to run under Chinese Colours, cargoes from the mainland to the island, & vice versa, without let or hindrance. # The Chairman observed an attempt had been made to extablish a sort of Custom House in this Colony, which lad the strongest. by been met meatures on the 144 the part of the Auths ? . The man who was to have acted que anddenly disappeared, else he would love most certainly been flogged publicly through the streets of không trông # That the British & other Merchants resident there should be jealous of any interference of Chinece "Autho ", as calculated, however legitimately exercised, to damage their interests, is enough, & tatting -failing tendency Chinese Lands of every authority, too much to expect that a natural the never is, I fear, into account to abuse in it Chinese functionary at Hongtong, with Consular powers would not, in concert will those on the mainland, seriously interfere
2026-05-20 09:37:57 · Baseline
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4

obvious the doubt Texpressed as to the reception any

'in

Las

Chinese Consul would meet

it

"Hongthing if exercising his functions United States Consul might do

as any

ot Liverpool,

everywhere

or as Britial Consuls do

de

in Chinese Territory in regard

to manifests, ships, papers,

ye

was well

founded. The freedom of the Part

means to all

appearances the freedom

to all ap

Chinese Subjects,

to run

under Chinese Colours,

cargoes from the mainland to

the island, & vice versa, without let

or

hindrance.

#

The Chairman observed an attempt had been made to extablish a sort of Custom House in this Colony, which lad the strongest. by

been met

meatures on

the

144

the part of the Auths ? . The man who

was to have acted

que

anddenly disappeared, else he would love most certainly been

flogged publicly through the streets of

không trông

#

That the British & other

Merchants resident there should be

jealous of any interference of Chinece "Autho ", as calculated, however legitimately exercised, to damage their interests, is

enough, & tatting -failing tendency Chinese Lands of every authority,

too much to expect that a

natural

the never

is, I fear,

into account

to abuse in

it

Chinese functionary at Hongtong, with Consular powers would not, in concert will those on the mainland, seriously

interfere

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