involves the lives and property of British subjects. In 1870, after the outbreak at Tientsin the British Minister was instructed by the Secretary of State to apply for troops in case of need to the General at Hong Kong, and however desirable it may be to avoid a collision between Her Majesty's forces and the Chinese populace, still if such an application were now to be made by the Consul at Canton, I should think it my duty to afford assistance to the best of my ability.
The case has not yet arisen; but the letter which led me to write to you stated that the Viceroy was disclaiming responsibility, and implies that the Consul wished me to be prepared for an application from him. It implied, too, that His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government had nothing to urge against my affording assistance and he had shown in conversation with me previously that he quite concurred in my view of the case.
But besides the concurrence of His Excellency it would be necessary, as I informed the Consul, to have the concert of the Navy, so that if the troops should be called on to act they might have a secure base and the support of heavy guns. You inform me that you could not arrange for the conveyance of Troops to Canton, or for their accommodation when there, on board H. M. Ships; and it would therefore
得
involves the lives and property of British subjects. In 1870, after the outbreak at Tientsin the British
Minister was instructed by the Secretary of State to apply for
of need to the
troops in case
General at Hong Kong, and how- may be to avoid
ever desirable it may
a collision between Her Majesty's forces and the bhinese populace, still if such
an application were now to be made by the bonsul
at Canton, I should think it
my eat
duty to afford assistance to the
best of my ability.
The case has not yet arisen;
but the letter which led me to
write to
o you
stated that the
Viceroy was disclaiming responsi- -bility, and implies that the Consul wished me to be prepared for
an
an application from him. Stů implied, too, that His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government had nothing to urge against my affording assistance and he had shewn
in conversation
me previously. that he quite view of the
my
concussed in
case.
But besides the concurrence
of His lucellency it would be necessary as I informed the Consul to have the concert of the
Navy, so that if the troops should be called on to act they might have a secure base and the support of heavy guns. You inform
me that you could not arrange for the conveyance of Troops to Canton, or for their accommodation when there, board H. M. Ships; and it would
therefore
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