THE
Hongkong
Government
GAZETTE.
NEW SERIES.
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, 31ST JULY, 1858.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
VOL. IV. No. 167.
The Contract for publishing this Gazette, entered into on the 24th September, 1853, was terminated on the 30th ultimo; and notice is hereby given, that a NEW SERIES of this Gazette will be published hereafter, to commence from the 7th instant, under a New Contract, and that
“THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE"
will, as before, be the only Official Organ for PROCLAMATIONS, NOTIFICATIONS, and PUBLIC PAPERS, of this Government.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 2d July, 1855.
W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.
Na. 64.
JOHN BOWRING.
PROCLAMATION.
Peace has been happily established between The QUEEN of Great Britain and the EMPEROR OF CHINA. solemn Treaty was signed at Tientsin on the 3d of July, by High Commissioners for that purpose appointed.
The
It is the duty of all good Subjects reverently and obediently to give effect to the engagements entered into by their respective Sovereigns, and most especially so when those engagements proclaim amity, harmony, and good will.
In this Colony great numbers of Chinese are settled. They have taken no part in any hostilities, but have pursued their avocations in peace and due submission to the Laws; many of them have been engaged in the service of Her Majesty's Subjects, have contracted engagements with them, and are entitled to the protection and friendship of the British Authorities.
But, in disregard of the obligations of Treaties, and of the Will of His Imperial Majesty, menacing Pro- clamations and Orders have been issued, compelling the peaceful residents of this Colony to quit their abodes,—to violate their obligations,-to neglect their duties, and to flee to the mainland of China; and these menaces have proceeded principally from the districts of Heang-shan and Sun-on.
Now, be it known to those who have issued, or who shall seek to give effect to such menaces, and especially to the authorities and gentry of Heang-shan and Sun-on, that these acts of hostility cannot be tolerated by me ;-and that unless the Proclamations and Orders, compelling the Chinese People to leave this Colony, be immediately withdrawn, and the people who have left the Colony allowed without delay to return to their business, and to the rvice of those with whom they have been engaged, the Places and Persons to which these hostile acts are traceable will render themselves liable to signal punishment.
Moreover, attempts have been made to stop the supply of Provisions to this Colony ;-and it is hereby, pro- laimed, that every Person who shall arrest or attempt to arrest the safe and regular transport of articles intended for the Markets of Hongkong, does, by such act, declare himself an enemy of Great Britain, and a lawless subject of the Emperor of China, and will be severely visited for his offence.
Let, therefore, the disturbers of the Public Peace take warning,-and the well disposed rely on the protection *hich this Government is willing and able to afford.
Given at Victoria, Hongkong, this 30th Day of July, 1858.
By His Excellency's Command,
W. T. BRIDGES, Acting Colonial Secretary.
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.