118
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETE,
CHINA FRIEND
AND HONGKONG GAZITTIS.
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13.8. 1849.21 We understand, that much satisfaction is expressed at Canton, by both the British and Foreign Communities, at the Treaty, which has been made by H. E. the Plenipo- tentiary. Among the Chinese it appears to be understood that all Foreigners will, in
ANOTHER paper we have seen contains present limits of the Town. Several hundreds of workmen are constant employ in widering the Emperor's definite commands for the ditching, blaming and cutting rocks, and building substantial bridges at the proper places along the release of all English prisoners in conse- whole line of the Hond. It has been made sixtyquence of terms of peace being now set- feet wide except in a few unimportant places tled between the Middle Kingdom and the where they have been compelled to make it fifty feet, great English nation.
Ir is generally expected, in well informed quarters, that on receipt in America of the news of the Peace in China a minister or
is
A topic of interesting discussion at this juncture, whether the Import ark Sale of Opium will be legalized or not in the new Treaty. From the
silence of IL E., the
the ultimate issue, have precisely the same || diplomatic envoy will be forthwith sent to || Hong Merchants and of several of the
privileges, (at all the Consular Ports) as
the British.
final
with
Canton.
Long before the arrival of this functiona- Every confidence is expressed, that the Ty, we confidently hope the Citizens of the United States, all other Foreigners arrangements, respect to Import,
same privileges which Export, and Transit duties, will be satis- will be enjoying the factorily adjusted by H. E. The Hong will be granted to the British under the Merchants, although they generally pre-new Treaty.
We should be curious to known how the serve in their demeanour a discontented taciturnity, yet enough is elicited from American Envoy's Credentials to the Chi- them to convince us that they are fully nese Emperor will be worded. According aware of the importance of the impending to the late Dr. Morrison the Chinese lan change, and that they deeply regret it. guage contains no word or phrase for re- Trade at Canton is for the present al- public, nor any term or title for the head most wholly suspended, and but little bu- or chief magistrate of a republic. He adds siness is expected to be done till the arri "If the meaning of President were trans- val of II. E. the Plenipotentiary at Hong-lated, it would be far inferior to Wang or Kong, where the rules and regulations for king." the future government of the mutual-com- In the translation of Lord Amhersts merce of the two nations will be determin-Credentials the Emperor of China was styled senior brother instead of cousin but that did not please his ministers.
ed.
-
2.
views, we hold it
to be very unlikely that the Opium trade will be other than on illicit trafic,
By the way, II. E. in his official announcement
of the 26th August, tells us he gives "the most im portant Provisions." Any arrangement which would remove this opprobrium mercatorum or rather Sinensorum would certainly demand being placed in such a Category; putting aside the considera- tion that this article of Import now annually reaches some 8-20,000,000 in value. This is an enormous amount."
No objection can be now taken by us to the restoration of the Boque forts; so that
that it is expect ed the vast contraband trade now carried on at
Whampoa will soon cease. It is said that the Chinese smugglers will resort to Hongkong where the business must be carried on in fature. ***
Being a Free Port, whatever Trade may be here done in Imports or Exports, whether by Chinese or British Subjects will not be liable to objection or remark, and all ground of remonstrance on the part of the Mandarins will be effectually removed. To secure the trade to this Port we are told by the native community that it is indispensible it should be kept open for their craft, and the swarms of piratical boats which infest its vicinity be deter- red or destroyed. As a British Settlement, at- tention we are sure, will now be given to remove the only existing obstacle to the onward progrèss of this very flourishing colony.
It will be very important that our future relations with the Chinese should if possi- ble be put on a permanent footing. To realize the seventh Provision of the Treaty it will be essential now to determine the style and title hereafter to be uniformly
We would claim attention to the propriety of adopted in mutual intercourse. Much vig- abolishing (in the new Commercial treaty) the Se- ilance will be required to secure the "per-curity system for Ships. It is a manifest injustice fect equality" which has been agreed to be to the Hong merchants that they should be com- pelled to peril their property and lives, by enter- given us by the Chinese.
ing into engagements which they have no power to enforce. It is well known that Contraband goods have often been surreptitiously conveyed to Canton and wholly unknown to the Hong who was Security for the Ship, and who was liable in
It is alleged that an adjustment will not be very difficult, seeing that all the Mer- cantile interest would be content to pay a reasonable Port Tommage or measuremont charge and also the Cking heang, i. e. the true or Imperial duties; a list of which is published by Authority and can be obtain ed at the office of the Hoppo of Canton.
To show how far the nominal bute paid duties exceed the true or Imperial duties we would instance that, by the latter only £36,000 would have been leviable on our Our experience of Chinese character them tast seasons Imports of COTTON whilst justifies us in repeating that with more than £144,000 was actually paid. words are things. On this point Dr. Mor- So of TEA, the duty would amount on last rison well remarked "names and titles are Seasons Export by the Hoppio's Tariff to often represented as wain things not worth but £ 150,000 yet fully 700,000 was ex-disputing about, which would be true if no acted.
consequences resulted. But if the Greeks called a man a barbarian, and then treated him as an enemy-if the Turks call you a dog and then treat you as such; if the Chinese contemptuously call you fan-kwei, foreign devil, and act towards you as such then names and titles become of high con-
It appears to us that a case might be easily made out that would even convince a Chinese Commissioner of the impolicy of the present system and the necessity of a thorough reform thereof. It would be glaringly obvious were H. E. to have made out an account of the whole Foreign Im-sequence.”-- ports and Exports of Canton during the last seven years. Against each siten the a- mount of the true and the amount of the paid duty would show a staggering total of illegal exactions unsurpassed in the annals of Commerce. The Archives of the office of the British Superintendents of Trade will of course furnish abundant materials for this interesting compilation.**~*
It seems to be understood that whatever can be reasonably demanded, will be rea- dily granted by the Chinese; who now their own weekness and our strength. he instan O
abrogation of those prohibitions against the residence of females; and the
of
use
C
purse and person for these infractions of the laws.
The records of our commerce, we say, afford too many instances of Hong merchants suffering from their misplaced and abused confi- dence.
As we shall have officially recognised Consul in China it clearly follows, that as far as British Ships are concerned, there can be no protext with
the Chinese to continue this absurdity,
as respects
The merchants, native and foreign, are also unanimous on the expediency of obtaining the abolition of the Cumshas and fees on the Foreign trade, nearly the whole of which find their way to the pockets of the venal Authorities.
A murmur
We are glad to report that Lieut. Hamilton is decidedly convalescent, can sit up a part of the day, and is considered out of danger. He received eight wounds, and his escape from desh has been in certain quarters at the non-stipulation, under of disappointment has been heard a most Providential one. He declares that both the Treaty, of an Ambassa or Envoy at Pekin. of the pistols which he fired took effect, he was, We think it has been very wisely determined not to within only a few steps of the men when he discharg ed them, a robber fell at each discharge, and he the Chinese Court would have compelled France, make such a requirement. The acquiescence of saw them carried off by their accomplices feels the same certainty about one being also kilsadors thither, which in the sequel niist have prov- Russia and America to have accredited Ambas Ted by h writer
ed a source of mutual involvement and intrigue by
He
berles have been committed since the affair with
which neither power ! gaia, but by which all night lase, if the integrity of the Chinese Em- pire were not injured of its nationality destroyed by, this collision of diplomatists.
In the course of events Both England and Russia, thay be compelled, to aggra expense of China.
dence of re: at home, whic
wishes us sive trium
Some theatened attempts, but no actual rob L. Hamilton The Pohco, who have been very active both day and night within the past week, baye succeeded in capturing quite a number of Sedan Chairs, the removal of allupicious personages who turn out to be, some badges of inequality or inferiority which real Pirates, and others equally genuine land rob-
bers were affixed on Foreigners must be insist The sentence of cutting off the tails of rob of Russia, we bail ed on. Facilities of locomotion given and bord we find and had most salutary effect, and protection from insult.
Trifles, cease to be of such a loss the Chinese of all classes stand trifles, if when conceded, the Chinese can in dread
cawo. It has been said that many construe or pervert them into evidences of
les people of the weakness. Hence to preserve intact the
sentence of cut treaty (about to be made) it will be imper- ative on the British Authorities in the be- ginning to notice the
he very smallest Infrack tion or evasion by the Chinese and inhinediate- ly to demand a proper explanation, apology: or recompense. – Otherwise, Hala by little, We have seen a as in times past, we shall be almost imper- the Hoppen at ceptibly, but surely, deprived of at the ad-ghing in of foo vantages of the present Pacification.
The Queen's Road, Cream glad to p
fine thoroughere into
tant sted in
plete order
e
off
about the fear of civil
by British
uficent
live any w
Betish, valour. This i rant, we may truly for eward
lamation issued by...
those whom H. E. denga
merchants.
hoa extensively, provaled ment of the lawil dit b. ighteen days arO
the smug
the
ms
lity
God
be our
On a former occasion, from the Peking Gazelles, we pointed but the
bamlets by
tations, whielt had been
Kan sheang
peror by the Mandaring
the Canton Ran
the Em-
unts then
to the great subtracted from the Imperial, ducg, and
It is dated, whic
13 the denti
upon to make
low called mo 8 3 100.000. The