25th November, 1898, My Lonp,—As Chairman of the deputato wait upon you I beg to present to your tion of British and other residents appointed Lordship this expression. of the pleasure your visit to this Port affords us and to Invoke your powerful influence at home both in Parliament and with the Government with a view to the extension of the privileges of British'residents in Central China, ritish subjects desire (1) Full liberty to establish in the interior manufacturing and other industrial concerns, particularly in tea-growing distric cts.
(2) To open and work mines on equally favourable terms with the natives, (8) That the rights of Christian missionaries and their converts in the interior and elsewhere be fully recognised.
(4) That ample protection be accorded British subjects in all legitimate enterprises oka ial' attention be (5), That special attention be given to Prench sod 'Russian activity. in Central and Western China, especially in view of the fact that an armed' French force is at present in the West, and that a railway is
communication between Central China and now being constructed oj ening B direct the Russian posts in the North.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.