CO129-141 - Public Offices - 1869 — Page 200

Naval Forces in the Chinese

Copy

of

Treaty Powers in keeping Seas for the suppression of Piracy, by reason

of their own failure.

I am

also persuaded they will never assent to

any formal proposal to delegate

the Courts at Hongkong judicial powers over

Chinese Pirates taken in

their own

waters;

and that such proposition officially made will create

an unpleasant feeling without answering any useful end.

I have &c.

(signed) B. Alcock

Her Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and

Minister Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of

British Trade in China

Peking

April 6, 1869.

Page 198

Ju 9579/65

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt

of Your letter of the 20th of March with Enclosures respecting the cooperation of this Naval Forces with those of the Chinese for the repression

of Piracy.

There is little hope, I fear, of any

real and effective cooperation on the part of the Chinese

or Provincial Authorities. As regards their

trade they have never given

themselves

any trouble and always left it to take care

of itself.

Any arrangement therefore that may be concluded, whether with the Governor here or the Viceroy at Fauton,

is likely only to fix us with

our own share of work to be borne

by British cruisers and

leave the Chinese free to neglect their

part. Unless indeed their gunboats

are under the command

of efficient European Officers

The Hon: Sir H. Keppel K.C.B. Admiral