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478 deal by way of hospitable entertainment of the representatives of foreign Powers. The only diplomatic note the Governor was called upon to write was a mild remonstrance addressed to the Governor of Macao when Mr. W. H. Forbes' yacht had been fired upon (April 27, 1876) by Portuguese soldiers. The Macao Government forthwith tendered a satisfactory apology. Another Macao Governor, Senhor C. C. da Silva, visited Hongkong (December 29, 1876) and received quite an ovation from the local Portuguese residents and the friendliest reception from the Governor.

As regards the Imperial Government of China, Sir Arthur was indeed for many years occupied with an international diplomatic question, in the shape of the Hongkong Customs Blockade, but he discussed it exclusively with the Colonial Office in Downing Street and not with the Authorities at Peking. The Governor's communications with Chinese officials were therefore confined to visits he received from the Canton Hoppo, Tsun Kai (August 11, 1876) and from Kwoh Sung-tao (December 6, 1876), China's first Ambassador to London, and to the publication in the Government Gazette (May 24, 1872) of a Dispatch from the Tsungli Yamen at Peking to the Viceroy of Canton, requesting the latter to order the issue of proclamations calling upon the Chinese people to treat foreigners with politeness because it was necessary for China that the friendly relations with foreigners should be firmly and closely knit. When the Emperor of China, reigning under the style Tungchi, died of smallpox (January 12, 1875) and was succeeded by the infant Tsai Tien, placed under a regency formed by the two Empresses under the style Kwongsui (February 23, 1875), Sir Arthur took no official notice of either of these events, although H. M. Minister at Peking sent him telegraphic information on both occasions. The Chinese population of Hongkong likewise evinced no interest whatever in those events, although they consider themselves to be still subjects of the Empire of China, whilst enjoying in Hongkong all the essential privileges of British subjects.

Among the representatives of foreign Powers to whom Sir Arthur had the honour of shewing hospitality on behalf of the