The following letter, addressed to Mr. Consul Sinclair on the above subject appears in the Hongkong Daily Press:—Fooctow, 22nd July, 1869.
To Cuarues A. Srycuarr Esq.
Hf. B. Mf. Consul, Foochow.
Sir,—We, the undersigned British subjects residing at this Port, having read with surprise the pu-Diished despatch of H. at. Minister for Foreign Affairs, dated 93rd April last, censuring your action with regard to the Sharp Peak difficulty, are desirous of expressing our great regret at the course H. Government has taken in this matter.
We are of opinion that the measures you adopted were judicious, and such as to promote the safety and permanent interests of foreign residents in China; as we are convinced that the only way to avert such an accumulation of out as must lead to a general war, is to deal promptly, and on the spot, with each difficulty as it arises.
Having for so long a period received every possible assistance and consideration from you as our Consul, and knowing, as we do, the respect in which you are held by the authorities of the province, and. the ainicable relations between ourselves and the Chinese which have resulted therefrom, we feel it our duty to express our sympathy: with you on the present occasion. We remain, with much respect.
Your obedient Servants, (Signed by 51 British Residents.)
Mr. Sixcuarr's REepiy.
FoocnowrFoo, 27th July, 1869.
GENTLEMEN,—I am deeply sensible to the expr sion of sympathy, which you have conveyed to me in your letter of the 20th instant, in reference to the censure which it has pleased.the Earl of Clarendon to pass upon me for my action in the Missionary difficulty on Sharp Peak Island:
It is very gratifying to me to find that my humble efforts to do my duty in advancing the interests of my fellow countrymen in this distant part of the world, Eave been appreciated by. so large and. respectable 'a portion of oar worthy community.
Allow me to add, with reference to the subject itself, that Her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking has not yet conveyed to me his Lo 's displeasure, but which, in common with yourselves, I read in the home newspapers, and that I have the hope that when the noble Earl.shall become acquainted with the difficulties I had to contend with, his Lordship' may relent in his judgment on this matter.
beg you will each of you accept iny sincere thanks for the generous manner in which you have alluded to ly public services at this Port. [have the honour to be, Gentlenien, Your obedient Servant, CHAS. A. SINCLAIR, F. Tamilton, Esq., W. Paterson, Es., A. W.G. Rusden, Esq., gud other Gentlemen of the Community of Foochow-foo.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.