a rumour has been in circulation in the Golony, of establishing a Chinese Custom house or Ho-pu, in the Barra Joss-house of this City, vith the intention of alarming the peaceful inhabitants, his £xcellency the Governor declares that such rumour is false and absurd, for such an establishment should never be allowed, were permission ever asked for.
The Chinese Government ordered to be paid, in the Customs Stations now situated in the vicinity of Macao and Hongkong, together with the Li-kin tax—or tribute transit for the expenditure of the province of Canton,—the opium duty which ought to have been paid in the Maritime Customs in the ports of importation.
This exigency, of which the Gayernor of the neighbouring Colony did not, tice, on account of its being only'ipplied to Chinese subjects, and for its taking place
not meet with the consent of his Excel-in the Chinese territory and waters, did louey the Governor, owing to the very near proximity of the actual Station; and the Chinese authorities decided on establishing their Maritime Stations farther off the waters of this Colony.
His Excellency the Governor made known these facts, both by letter by the mail and by telegraph, to the Government of his Majesty, and will execute strictly what shall be determined by the Government of Marine and the Colonies.
His Excellency, having confidence in the garrison and in the good sense of the inhabitants of this City, hopes that the order shall not be altered, and in making this declaration, he prevents the people from being deceived by false suggestions; us he will punish with the greatest severity those who should attempt to disturb the public peace and tranquillity.
Macao, 9th July, 1871.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.