64
evils, which afflict this land from without, are mainly owing to the concession of extra-territoriality to Europeans and Americans. This abdication of authority is rendered more incompatible with the well-being of the empire, by the presence of foreign colonies, in one of her most important provinces. Hong Kong and Macao, can appear to Chinese statesmen in no better light than plague spots, and to no inconsiderable extent. Such, it must be admitted, they have proved. Thence sail the lorchas, which defy and lay waste the country. There collisions are to be expected and provided against; and towards them must be exercised eternal vigilance, to thwart the aggressive barbarian.
"The abuses, to which those possessions on the coast of this now only semi-independent empire give birth, are, as regards the English colony, restrained to no small degree, by wholesome correctives. The local press is eagle-eyed in detecting official remissness, and fearless in animadverting on all acts of public or private oppression. The coolie traffic, though capable of being made a source of profit to the port, is constantly reprobated by the colonial press. Moreover, the Hong Kong executive has, on various occasions, adopted active measures for redressing wrongs inflicted on the Chinese. But,. above all, and more to be relied on, is that public "pinion in England, which sympathises with suffering in every clime."
On the part attributed to the "Eaglet," in some of these buccaneering forays, there will be found, in the Minutes of the Commission, so often referred to, traces of some very imperfect examinations of persons
