THE FRIEND OF CHINA,
AND
No.3. VOL. 1
WONG BON G
NOTIRI-GATLON.
GAZETTE
PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING.
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, APRIL 7TH, 1842.
are few individuals who are not as well qualified as himself, to form a correct estimate of the reliance to
agreement and promises of the pro..... THE publication of the Hongkong Gabe placed on
vincial government of Catand zette under the authority
He has intimated to Government, that government, that he is willing the present to will be discontined from this date: but all respect the existing truce, but that the slightest infrac public orders and notifications appearing in tion of its terms will lead to an instant renewal of "The Friend of China and Hongkong Ga-ly to be borne in mind that such an event is not only active hostilities in this province; and it is according zette," with the signatures of duly autho-
highly probable, from the well understood perfidy and rized Functionares of the Government are bad faith of the provincial officers themselves, but also still to be considered as official
because they may be compelled, at any moment. by orders from the imperial cabinet to set aside and disavow their own-acts: with these views and senti ments, it only remains for sir Henry Pottinger to warn her majesty's subjects, and all other foreigners, against putting themselves or their property in the power of the Chinese authorities, during the present anomalous and unsettled state of our relations with the empire; and to declare, that, if they do so, it must be clearly understood to be at their own risk and peril,
By order,
J. Robt: Morrison, Acting Secrdry and Treasurer. Hongkong, March, 23rd. 1842.
THE BOGUE FORTS
We have no doubt H. E. the Plenipotentiary, is thoroughly well advised as to every movement in the
it
nity to announce, that the arrangements which have Sir Henry Pottinger avails himself of this opportu
land of Hongkong, will remain in force until the been made by his predecessor, connected with the" is-
pleasure of her majesty regarding that island, and those
Sir Henry Pottinger further desires to call the attention of all concerned to the public notice issued by her majesty's plenipotentiary on the 10th of June last.
will be perceived, that wholly wasted when arrangements, shall be received; and on this point,
exercised towards the
Canton River. For ourselves we still are disposed to believe the official nouncement contained in ours of the 22d March will have the effect of delaying for some time the restoration of the Bogue forts. By every one
By the Convention or Truce made by Cap Elliot on the 27th of May last with the Chinese authorities when to use his own words: "the perfid of the Imperial Commissioners having induced a course of brilliant Operations by land and water, placing . M forces in commanding posi- tions over the walls Of Canton" A mong "the terms then granted to them was this express stipulation-it is the final clause of the third condition viz. When the whole [id est the six millions of dollars] is paid all the British forces to turn without the Bocca Tigris, and Wangtong, and all fortified places within the river to be restored, but not to be rearmet till affairs are set- tled between the two ations.
""
The public notification made by HE. SIR HENRY POTTINGER, on his rival bearing date the 12th. Au. gust last we have wrinted at the request of many of our subscribers, some of whom believe a crisis is im minent and that the Canton river anust soon be the scene of our warfar Some of our quidnuncs even venture to affirm that the Chinese have already been guilty of many overt infractions, of the Elliot truce. We think they must be in error, seeing his H. E. has positively announced that the slightest infraction of its terms will lead to anstant renewal of active hostilities in this province," amoreover H. E. will to use the words of the notification, "allow no consideration con nected with mercantle pursuits and other interests to interfere with the strong measures which he may find it necessary to authorise and adopt, towards the govern- ment and subjects of China, with a few to compelling an honorable and lastig peace,"
[Signed] HENRY POTTINGER,
Her majesty's plenipotentiary.
CORROBORATORY of the prevalent opinions above referred to, we copy the following remarks from the Chinese Repository for March, which came to hand after the foregoing was in type.
According to public notice, given by captain Elliot last June, it was agreed between the high contracting parties, English and Chinese, that none of the fortified places within the river should be rearmed, nor any ad ditional preparations made. At the time when Yihshan
that, as soon as the
the emperor,
entered into this engaghave retired, be ginning with the river in front of the city, and continuing the work down to the Bogue, they would block it up with piles of stones at every important pass, and there erect forts and place guns. On sir Henry's arrival, he took an early opportunity to signify to the provincial au. thorities that he was willing, for
declaring at the respect the then existing truce, but, dome being, to same time, that the slightest infringement of is terms would lead to an instant renewal of hostilities in this pro- vince. Old forts above Whampoa have been rearmed and many new ones built, and guns placed in them; and yet hostilities have not been renewed-unless the The whole notification which follows will be re-pe-seizure of junks outside, be so considered. For the destruction of the works on Wangtong and the late rused with interest this juncture, more especially as it is confidently asserted by Chinese and Foreigners on the authority of partie yesterday arrived from Wham- ров.
that preliminary steps have already been taken to restore the defences of the Bogue.
Whilst we are stillncredulous, we at the same time acquit the propagatos of the report of any intention to deceive; we yet the more time will elapse before the attempt will be ade. Unless Some Imperial ré. script diámetrically pposed in centro all hates sent from Pekin be recaled, we quite expect an unequivo- -cal and manifest inaction of the Elliot truce will, ere
long, be but too apparent
NOTIFICATION
Issued at Co 19th August 1841,
In taking charge the offices of her majesty's sole plenipotentiary, mi extraordinary and chief superintendent of Bt tis trade in China, sir Henry Pottinger deems it te and proper to publicly notify that he enters
important innctions, with the most anxious deste to consult the wishes, and to promote the prospert and well-being, as well as to Provide for and secure the
all her majesty's
Bubjects, and other
of the latter can be moment
3 the concerns
hape
exercise of this indulgence, on the part of H. B. M. plenipotentiary, there must have been good reasons; but can such reasons operate in the coming season? And will Yihshan fail to attempt to keep his promise with his master? It is much to be regretted that the forts at Canton have been rebuilt once opened, the river to Canton and the Macro Pa remained so--and this could have been easily effected, measure of visiting the river at re going on, short intervals, to see that no repair been perfisted in. And unless this is done in future, we fear repairs will go on below Whampoa.
Fought to TE
PROSPECTS OF THE WAR.
If our last London letters fairly indicate the general feeling at home, we should say that John Bull expects that the War, if not already terminated; will be ended with in six months from this date. We shall ad
dress to him an observation or two with the view
ossible.
his impati ence, should it be protracted, as we fear it will, beyond that period.
It is undemable that much has been done, as could
dispos
Price $14 monthly Or #12 yearly
ished for so many centuries) hate and despise us. Another, and perhaps the most formidable obstacle to an settlement, is the important, British fiscal and domestic considerations, which are so closely inter- purely international question. woven with, and encumber an otherwise
Our friends at home must, and will, have Tea. The Chancellor of the Exchequer must, and will have, the four million of Tea Duties. Holding Hongkong, Kulangsoo, and Tinghae, we believe neither the one contingency, nor the other, would be imperil- ed should it be determined to Blockade · the maritime Coast of China, and the Port of Canton. To our minds, it seems quite hopeless to expect a prompt settlement; until there is an avowed and total dissover- ance of the Fiscal from the International question. And we should be truly mortified to find our excellent Plenipotentiary make a wreck of his truly well earned reputation, by (like Captain Elliot) an honorable but fatal adherence to official instructions, which we almost fear lay too much stress on the form- er, rather than the latter-the vital part of the question. To gain much, we must risk much, the gallant Nelson going into action exclaimed "Death or Westminster Abbey". in a kindred spirit we hope H. E. will dare all, to obtain an honorable peace, for which
John Bull" is waxing very impatient; and which the dilapidated state of our Home Finances so imperatively requires. Should H. E accomplish this at an early period (which yet is hardly to be hoped for) we can- not but think that h
he will receive the well merited guerdon of a Peerage which it was quite understood in London, would be gra- Ciously accorded him by the Sovereign, if he succeeded, as we trust he will, in accom- plishing fully, the great objects involved, in his most important special mission to China.
Name of our Town-We are very glad to find the suggestion in our last that it
approved. We would respectfully recom should be called Victoria, is universally
mend, that some authoritative annuncia- tion to that effect, be made as early as possible: to the great contentment of the best friends of Hongkong.
PRICES OF PROVISIONS.
THESE were given in the last number it is enough for us now to say, the markets are well supplied, with all kinds of comestibles, adapted to the absolute wants of the humble cooley, and the utmost requirements of the refined gastronome. We have noticed in the Bazaar all the excellent varieties of Fish, with which we were familiar at Macao, and many other kinds before unknown to
Beef is cheap, but Mutton at present very dear, and we have seen at dinner Pheasants, Partridges, and Venison, said to be products of our Island. We are bound
to say, m our rambles, we have as yet, seen Quails, and Partridges, but we mall deer have been shot by the other side of the Island
getables the supply is very abundant. and Hiscuit are made here. are no longer
the
demand for mutton has
been
their lon
rontation