Incomplete letter received by Banks from Philip Gidley King, 14August 1804 (Series 39.089) - No. 0012

[Page 12]

but this Trade would very soon be of the greatest advantage to the adventurers here & beneficial to the Mother Country;  But I am sorry to say that many Indirect & ordered some open measures have been taken to encourage the Americans not only to catch seals in the Straits, but also to carry their spirits among the sailing parties & rob the adventurers here of their property & returns for their Exertions.  This I have endeavoured to put in stop to by the orders in the Gazette of the 12th instant & a preceeding order.   I have not stopped here but have suggested the idea of the Inhabitants here being allowed to carry their Skins &c to Europe & China in Vessells built here & navigated by British Sailors.  I am aware that this will be a question with the company but I conceive that the Restrictions might be so framed [?] that the Govt. have a super-cargos at Canton might prevent any prejudice to the Companys Concerns - And be the means of the Inhabitants here supplying their wants with their own produce. had not As [indecipherable] English seamen