ORIGINAL CORESP
For the
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
ESCE.
FRIEND OF CHINA and HONGKONG GAZETTE. MR. EDITOR,
Much ances which the
more ates of Canton Yakshan
have been said of the annoy
Batta, and so far an anomaly that others, whose ser- vices are by no means as valuable, and who. compara sideration of Government, except in special cases, tively speaking, have no claims to the indulgent con- grades in the service. It is however to be hoped that should participate as fully in its benefit as the higher is colleagues-are preparing to give your peaceable covenanted assistants to the Government of India, aided
and
the remonstrance which has been submitted by the un- inhabitants, than was said in my last note. If those by the strong support and recommendation of His Ex- charged with the government, and defense of long-cellency the Commander in Chief in China, will speed. Kong only keep quiet for a little white longer, both ily remove all objection to the boon they solicit, and they and their traitorious and barbarian people-all loyal thus be the means of placing them on a par with the subjects of H.B.M.will find themselves, some of these other servants of government, in respect to the claims mornings, gagged and quietly housed in cages, with they possess on the consideration of their honorable chains about their necks. By means of spies, those masters. It is high time the unconvenanted assistants magnates have obtained all the information they need. should emancipate themselves from bonds of pre- Their craftiness is exhuastless, and your authorities judice and odious seclusion, and rise to that eminence cannot be too vigilant in guarding against them. I in the scale of society which is commensurate with their
on your attention, Mr. Editor, that dignity and public usefulness. press subject on you may urge it on the attention of others, so as to pre vent the scenes of Tinghai being re-enacted at Hong Kong. Every man in the military and naval service here should be on the alert, and there should continually be such an exhibition of martial power as to keep the Chinese authorities at bay.
this.
nanted assistant in the Expedition, will do his friends I sincerely trust Mr. Mercado, the Chief uncove
has been submitted to Government and likewise contri- the favor of publishing a copy of the memorial which bate his powerful aid in promoting their interests. Yours faithfully
AMIENS.
ter a
We have much pleasure in giving the following let- up by the Protestant Missionaries in China, and printed place in the FRIEND OF CHINA. It was drawn in letter form for transmission to their friends in differ ent parts of the world. It will be found corroborative of much that has been hitherto said and written about the recent movements in this peculiar land.
The foregoing paragraph, written after the publica. tion of your paper for the 7th ultimo, was not finished 22nd August, 1842. when I chanced to hear of the existence in Hong Kong of a large number of Secret Societies, some of them. believed to be numerously supported, and known to possess much influence. China swarms with these bro- therhoods. Though all such fraternities are disallowed by Chinese law, yet the government sometimes buys over their leaders, and by so doing enlists their members in its service. An effort to do this here might easily be made; and private letters from Canton spoke of a convention that had been held, at which it had been agreed to raise a force of three thousand volunteers, to act against Hong Kong. In short, the island was to be blockaded, the barbarians starved or killed, and the traitors seized and brought to condign punishment.
While waiting to find out the truth of these things, I was glad to see your authorities so ready to act. Admiral's visit up the river entirely silenced the ru mours of an attack, blockade, &c. And the present system of cruizing, and of military pratice on shore, is producing a good effect, not only by inspiring the native inhabitants of the island with confidence, but by show-object worthy of her standing and opportunities. On the other ing the provincial authorities the utter impossibility of rescuing or even reaching those who seek protection hore. Some of the practice on Kowlung, within the -last few days, has been very animating. One evening I counted more than five-and-twenty boats, carrying some six or eight hundred Blue Jackets and Royal Ma rines. I observed to-day that the Memnon has been throwing shot, or shell, or both, among the rocks, to the great amazement of your Chinese friends. The thun derings of the Vindictive, or some of the other vessels on the south side of the island, have served to improve the impression of what has here been doing.
The
Effecting a landing on the Queen's Road, with such evolutions as the ground here will admit of, might now and then have a good influence on the town-folks-by relieving the monotony of an afternoon, and by showing the Chinese with what celerity and power a few ships of war can act upon any given point on shore.
While topic of exercise, it may not be out of e on this of have leard, that inactivity is place to repeat, doubtless one of the causes of ill health among the troops on shore in Hong Kong. Now that the weather is becoming cooler, a change might easily be brought about. Short excursions from one point of the island to another, in fine weather, and so timed as to prevent ex- `cessive fatigue, would be excellent physic for some of the young recruits. In this country, a mere change of place very often has a very salutary effect on health. Judging from what I have seen, I should suppose Cruizing would be one of the best means available for the restoration to health of the invalids now in camp. This might be done partly in ships and partly in that class of Chinese boats used for conveying passengers. These boats are cheap and comfortable. In a dozen of them a hundred men might be accommodated, and under the convey of a small ship or steamer, go round the island, over to Lintin to Macao, &c. In the present state of the troops, some change seems called for- What shall it be?
Yours,
}
HARDING PLACE,
HongKong, August 20th, 1842.
SENEX.
that
P. S. Since the little affair in which the Paradox figured some two months back, I have not heard of one piratical act in this neighbourhood. But the naviga tion for native boats, between Canton or Whampoa and this place is not yet so free as it ought to be.
Sir
To the Editor of the FRIEND OF CHINA.
I have casually heard that a representation has been
made to the Supr
the un
pedition, who, it
all partici
If the report as
it will afford
cy of their
of India regarding
ants attached to the China Ex
appear are to be
ded from
benefits of the Can
orrect can
that
ach pleasure instance, and
Is watching the progress of the struggle now going on in this part of the world between the two greatest empires on the globe, different spectators will look at it with different views. It mat ters comparatively little to any of them what may have been the causes of the rupture, the consequences growing out of it engross all their attention, and according to their separate views excite their hopes or fears. On the one hand the foreign merchant hopes to enlarge his trade, and find new outlets for the produc- tions of his country in the hitherto unapproachable population of this land; the manufacturer and tradesman hope through the merchant to have an increase of custom, and derive therefrom increased encouragement to industry; and the government of England seems to be desirous to establish such an intercourse with China as shall be mutually beneficial and honorable,an hand, the people of China, so far as we can ascertain the popular opinion, seem to regard the contest with indifference, so long as they are not personally exposed to the horrors and calamities of from their intercourse with the English, and to these the conti actual war. A very few among them are deriving high profits nuation of the war is perhaps an object of desire.. But to the great mass of the Chinese nation, who obtain their knowledge of its progress and effects from hearsay, there seems to be little interest felt in it. They hope it will soon be ended, and expect rique, and the barbarians reduced to submission; but generally in some way or other that the great emperor will finally be victo.
they have not the most remote conception of the changes that seem to be coming upon them. It is our earnest prayer, and we hope it is yours also, that these changes may be gradual, and that the mighty mass of mind now here slumbering in ignorance may be leavened with the leaven of truth without a succession of throes and convulsions which will rend the institutions of the coun try to atoms. God alone can direct its energies, and bring in his own kingdom without observation. We sometimes have hopes which characterizes the Chinese; but this issue is uncertain, and that such will be the case, from the v Well known love of peace
the consequences which may result from the reception of the word. of God do not rest with us. If His holy will be done by all his children, they need not fear for the result of their labors, or the proper answer to their prayers.
The public occurrences of the last six months have not been of very great moment, for much of this time has been lost in waiting for the additional reinforcements to arrive from Bruglanda Soon after the occupation of Ningpu in October last, a large proportion of the citizens returned to their houses, and resumed to some extent their occupations, seemingly inclined to make the best of their condition. The Chinese soldiers however, in a few weeks began to rally, and at the end of December it was deemed neces sary to disperse them by excursions from Ningpo, The English forces visited Tarki, Yuyau and Fungkwa, where they found bodies of Chinese troope, whom they dispersed without difficulty, By March, however, they had again rallied, and urged on by the commands and promises and largesses of their officers, several thousands ventured to attack Ningpo and Chinhai, but they were repulsed with greater loss than they had ever before suffered when defending themselves. They were astonished at their own bravery, and those who had penetrated within the walls of Ning- po thought only of retreating as soon as they met with opposition, and to make the best of their way out of the city to their own quarters. They were pursued for several miles and completely
Scattered.
From that time till May 15th nothing of importance was at- tempted by either party. The English general evacuated Ningpo with the great body of his army on the 7th of May, leaving a small detachment in garrison at Chinhal and moved over to Tinghai, On the 14th, the naval and railitary forces arrived op posite Chápu, which was attacked and carried on the 18th with great loss to the Chinese, and unusual resistance on their part. From 1,200 to 1,500 corpes were buried by the English," and
their wounds. The effect of doubt hundreds more died from these movements, so far as we can see, has been the same as those previously made. The Chinese have been i of the superior
power and ski!!
OW
Sandno
modern times. The loss of life and distress occasioned by it has. been great, and may perhaps be still greater before the end, but the ravages are, we think, small compared with many terrible. storma of this-kind which have desolated, the earth. When the ond will come, no one can tell, and we sometimes think there will
dispute will be arranged; for the respective condition of the two be no end, no final settlement of differences, when the whole
parties is so unlike, that the Chinese will be long in learning to respect the rights of others and adhere to a mutual engagement, Our proximity to the scene, and the deep interest we take in the event, may perhaps lead us to regard as of too great importanee many of the features of the struggle; but un bringing into contact two mighty empires-one of them as it were a mass inert mind, indurated by the old custom of ages; and the other a nation, whose mind seems to be destined, by ile activity and energy, to leaven the whole world-whose mutual intercourse will be pro- ductive of advancing the final triumphs of Christian civilization, the war with China must be regarded as "the loading star in the political horizon.".
But to none of all the beholders of this drama, does it appear more momentous and surcharged with more important results, than to the believer in the promises of the Bible. As its succeed. ing acts are one after another developed, the observer is carried along with thom, and the originating causes, viz., the imprison ment of Captain Elliot, smuggling and seizing of opium, &c., lose somewhat of their obnoxious character, from seeing how grand and unexpected are the results likely to flow from then. The Acts of the Chinese commissioner at that time were an epitome-uf- the character of his government, and partook like that government, of qualities both good and bad. The conduct of foreigners in bringing opium against the wishes of the Chinese government, merely because the latter is too weak to carry its prohibitor y regu. lutions into effect, cannot on any ground be defended. If, how- ever those who bring this destructive drug upon the coast regard the connivance of the officers as an excuse for their unlawful acts, we cannot absolve them from their allegiance to that higher Law, the earth do right?" But we ratlier desire toregard the occurrences which condemns all such proceedings, and to which they will most assuredly be held accountable. Will not the Judge of all of the Inst four years as a new exhibition of God's power and goodness in causing the wrath and avarice of man to work out his ends. When we reflect upon the intolerable assumption of the Chinese government over other nations, and upon its idolatry and arrogance against the only wise Potentate, implied in the terms Son of Heaven, Celestial Dynasty, Lord of all beneath the Sky, &e-(terms which other nations laugh at, but which are taken in their literal sense by this people);--when we see the millions who people the hills of Tang bowing down to vanity and lust, sunk in pollution and pride, the willing slaves of the strong man armed who has so long had his seat here, we see a little how great has been the longsuffering of God towards them, and how justly be has called for the ax of his wrath upon them. Good and evil will always be mixed up in this world, and none of those who follow them will fuil at last to receive their appropriate reward.
your
We have been led to these remarks from reflecting, on review of the past six-months, how greatly our opportunity of obtaining access to the people have onlarged. At the date of our last let. ter we were all still in Macao, but as we then intimated, some of our number were thinking of occupying new positions. In Feb- ruary, Messrs. Abeel and Boone were able after some delay-to procure a passage to Culang sú in the harbor of Amoy. Here they were very kindly received both by Captain Smith and Ma. jor Cowper, the officers in command of the sea and land forces, and with their assistance obtained a house within the lines. A soon as the people became acquainted with them, and ascertained that they were able to speak in their own language, many were- eager to learn what these setters forth of new doctrines had to "say, and often stopped them in the streets to learn or ask about this Jesus, and who he was. This interest has not altogether died away as the curiosity of the people has become gratified, but many of them wait upon the exposition of the word every Sabbath. It was a happy means of diffusing an acquaintance with the leading doctrines of the gospel that the brethren had a supply of books to give to the first inquirers; and it showed too. how necessary is the presence of the teacher to follow this distri bution when numbers came to have parts of them more fully ex- plained On the whole, their reception among the Chinese dwelling on Kúlàng sà during the time they have remained there has been abundantly encouraging, and although the native authorities would. probably not consent to their remaining behind if the English forces left the place, we feel no solicitude for their safety while the detachment remains. In April, Mr. Boone returned to Macao, leaving Mr. Abeel on the island; and having made his arrange- ments, and hearing that a projected attack by the Chinese was indefinitely postponed, he took Mrs. Boone and his family up. They were accompanied by the Rev. Mr. McBryde and his family, and W. H. Cumming, M. D. The party arrived at Kùláng sù, June 7th, and were soon settled in the dwellings that had been prepared for them. Mr. Abecl maintains a stated service on the Sabbath in both English and Chinese; at the latter he has had 50 hearers on one occasion, but the average has been about half that number, with increasing attention on the part of the bearers. The patients under the care of Dr. Cumming are usually 'invited to attend at family worship.
Mr. Milne left for Chusan in February. Soon after he reached Tinghai, he visited Chinhai and Ningpo on the main, spending three weeks in the excursion. He has obtained quarters within the town, but the unsettled position of affairs renders Tinghái a much less favorable place for teaching the people than other places at the south. By the proclamation of February 16th, in which Sir Henry Pottinger declares HongKong and Tinghái free ports, and under the protection of the British government, Mr. Milne's posi tion is rendered sufficiently secure. Dr. Lockhart will perhaps soon join him, and resume the medical labors he carried on there in 1840-41.
Mr. Shuck took up his residence at Hongkong, March 19th. and Mr. Robert's also fitted up a house for himself at Chek Chu, a small village on the southern side of the island. Mr. Roberts llected a few schular, and conducts services in both English nas and Chinese every Sabbath, besides daily visiting among the people: he had the gratification of lately baptizing a native on his profes. sion of faith. Chek Chu was, before the occupation of the island by the English, the largest village in Hong Kong; its population in about 1200 souls. Two Chapels have been completed at Hong Kong under the superintendence of Mr. Shuck, and have been already consecrated and opened to the services of religion. They are commodious buildings and are intended for both English and Chinese
They were both erected by subscription among the for
Bridgeman on the 1st inst. removed his Cong for the better prosecution of our mission. he proceeded with Commodore Kearney to 8. ship Constellation, and was absent two object was to settle difficulties with esmon made on them by the
the visit will no ence was conducted in the
imber,
to Hong
in the
benenci
to our
ness
ma
tion
108
the