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Rh continued in all their force, and that the appointment of a Chinese Customs Collector (or Consul) in Hongkong, who would certainly act as a spy, would be subversive of the independence of the Colony. But in spite of the Governor's opposition to the blockade, and notwithstanding repeated Memorials presented to H. M. Government by the community and the Chamber of Commerce, the working of those Chinese blockade stations continued and constituted thenceforth a chronic source of discontent ever wrangling in the minds of both native and foreign merchants.

Another important diplomatic question arose in connection with those Li-kin stations. In passing through Hongkong (December, 1869, and January, 1870), Sir Rutherford Alcock, then H.M. Minister in China, urged the members of the Chamber of Commerce to submit to the appointment of a Chinese Consul in Hongkong. This measure he declared to be the only satisfactory solution of the difficulties standing in the way of a fulfilment of the popular desire for an abolition of the Li-kin stations in the immediate vicinity of Hongkong, and the only means of bringing about a permanent arrangement of commercial relations, between the Hongkong Authorities and the Chinese Government, such as would rest on a solid basis of mutual respect and reciprocal advantage. Sir R. Alcock, who was in this matter the innocent dupe of the cunning Viceroy, and who did not disguise his monstrous opinion that 'Hongkong is confessedly a great smuggling depot,' failed to convince the colonists that 'the appointment of a Chinese Consul in Hongkong would simply protect that commerce in the Colony which is legitimate and discourage that which is contraband.' The subsequent history of the blockade shewed that Sir R. Alcock had entirely misconceived the policy of the Chinese Authorities, who had no intention of withdrawing their Customs stations in response to any concession whatsoever. Sir R. Alcock's suggestion, made by him after several interviews with the Viceroy (December 27 and 29, 1869), and with the approval of the latter, that at first a foreign officer of Sir R. Hart's staff should be appointed Consul in Hongkong,