I have read Mr. B. Robertson's despatch very carefully for I believe it sent an account of the time that arrangements would be easily acceded to by the Government and believe the course here recommended is the best that could be adopted. Namely, to allow the Chinese authorities to check the smuggling that has been the chief obstacle to a good understanding on the subject.
Our persistent refusal hitherto has led to the Wangling, and this rule has already been established for their junk trading with Wongleng. Effective acceptance, or cooperation with the Chinese authorities, provided that the abuses incident to it at Bingbing are prevented, has been the only way to prevent smuggling and maintain a good understanding.
The tariff provided by the Treaty of Tientsin has been the chief and the only duty demanded or under any pretext. What is called the Blockade of Kowloon (for as soon as a foreign staff enabled them to create an effective preventive service) has been the natural outcome of a state of things that was felt to be intolerable.
I have little doubt that this, coupled with the building of steamers and the employment of an official at Kowloon, will prevent smuggling and prove a satisfactory solution of the difficulty. In 1869, when I intended to sign the convention, which was not ratified in consequence of the opposition of the Wingate and others, the appointment of a Palmer was considered unjustifiable by the Chinese Authorities.
Any attempt to ascertain or regulate the levy of native duties would be hopeless; the certainty of failure may console those who think this measure is intriguing — which I doubt.
Page 168
memo
that time
168
as it here unduated anangements would
I have read hr. B. Pbutions despatch very carefully for I belive sent an anon
timee have been Easily acceded to by the Govern 1 and beleine the coarse herlewm mends is the best that the Easily acceded to b
at Rettung. Our persistent refural hitherts to lead
Could be adopted. Namely, & allow the Cline happen
alinmlat
1. Wangling, and
1
aucht this rule already Established for their dunks trading with Wongleng
for
ала
Effective afpectance, or cosperate mangwas withith,
obstacle We
A
Man Port, Gy which they cave, the tariff pridrupedrad Chinere Anthoritie to check the lip of theis revenue, betoded by the treaty of Rieussers, provided that the barion abuses incident bom hade at Bingbing.
has been the chief and the only no Cep distimuly ther duty daughand or under any pretext_ damper good understanding in the hubject. What is
should ir Syport - Lekin or Siao has, thoed be require called the Blockade of Roughing (for soon as
A
as a condition, that no
accepted as a
The
a Foreign
Staff enabled them toreate an effective preventive
Lervice has been onls, the natural outcome of a
felt to be intolerable, and
I have litte doube this, coupled with the building of Steamers thermployment of appointment ofalowal at toughing, & do wan the limenian &other Counches do futher recpation. I to prevent sonugglere fraud, en foromt, at
to be tout Houghing & Liverpoort, in prove a satisfactors, solution of the dissuulty. In state of things that was 1869, when I intend wits the convention, which was no Entified in consequence of the opposition of the Wingt tother. Merebeauts bich the appointment falmer. was at pulabd
unjustifiabler, by the Altinue Authorches.
Any attempel to ascertain, or regulate the levy appointment ofalous of native duties, would the bee've beattily hopeless;
I the certainty offailure may console those who the he think this heulair Earth is trigues — which & doubt.
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