126
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
[RIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27TH, 1842.
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By H. M. S. MODESTE, we have received letters from the North. Our latest date is the 17th instant from Chusan, which place the MODESTE left on the 18th and reports that the Steamer, having on board H. E. the Plenipotentiary, was then seen stand ing in to the harbour.
We gather from our communications, that diplomatic matters are progressing as satisfactorily as could be desired. The whole of the first intalment of Six Millions had been paid. H. E, the Plenipotentiary had visited Shanghai, his reception there, and the manifest satisfaction which was diffused among the merchants of that important emporium, at the prospect of commercial intercourse with the English, was especially gratifying, and leads us to believe that a vast amount of Foreign business will be - transacted at that Consular Port.--
It is expected that H. E. Sir Henry Pot- tinger will revisit our Island, in about five weeks from hence. We much doubt wheth-
RUMOURS were rife in Canton, (by our last accounts) that an Edict had been received from the Emperor, commanding the local Authorities and Hong
at the honorable fo- reigners with a.
correspon
so gracionsly displayed by his on a recent occasion. Our correspo been able to procure a Copy of this edict, an expresses doubts as to its promulgation.
Another report of the Southern Metropolis is, that H. E, Sir Henry Pottinger has published a proclamation, wherein he declares that the inhabi- tants of the Middle Kingdom should be confident in the good faith of the British, although a number of War and Steam vessels may happen to arrive on their Coasts; many being on the voyage hither when the treaty was made.
Ir is reported that some Chin Chew men at Macao have made an offer for a Spanish brig, with the view to employ the same in the Coast or Opium trade. If this report be true,
e, and we have it on good authority, is it not a sign of the times of some significance ?
Much as we may regret the destined employ- ment of this vessel, still it is a matter of rejoicing that some of the natives of this land have at last ventured to sail a Ship on the European model or
build.
C'est
COMMERC
By our late letters from Canton we find the
of Teas are fast accumulating No pur
icient importance to opens he sket Teas, has yet been made. All parties seem ged that a material reduction in the Export y (8 taels per picul) will take place, under the new Commercial Treaty, to be arranged by Sir Henry Pottinger and the Imperial Commissioners. The present Crop is now known to be very large, The quantity arrived, and on the way to Canton, far exceeds the amount which has hitherto been sent at so early a period of the season. The crop of Congou appears to be much greater than was expected. Every chop seems to be beyond 600, and the greater part 630, 640 up to 800 chests. Even now we reckon up 550 chops, instead of 500 for the whole season; and which it is judged would have been quite enough. Fully 800 chops are altogether expected to be made up.
It is said a great deal of fair Common Tea, or Cargo Sorts, will this season, be obtained at the Northern Ports; for in what else, it is asked, can the supplies of British man
manufactures, which have and will be sent thither, be paid for? At 10 to 12 taels these kinds of Tea can be got and at that rate will give the native vender a good profit.
SILK,Since the late purchases for immediate Shipment, nothing has been done. It is said $ 470 With the Chinese truly may we say,
has been refused for some best Tsatlee. In this er the final adjustment of the Commer-ordered social organization of this peculiar people, certainly greater than during the last four Seasons, le premier pas qui coûte. From the well larger arrivals at Canton will take place; of Silk staple, as well as Tea, it is ascertained that much cial treaty, Tariff &c. can be arranged be- (in whose institutions we see harmoniously blended. The new Crop is of good quality, and of excellent the apparently antagonist principles of aristocracy rendita. As in Tea, if intending purchasers, will and democracy) their vast numbers--their manu hold back firmly, there must before long, be a con- facturing skill and educated intelligence, who can siderable reduction on the high rates now demand- foretel the mighty results which may be realized when the leaven of Western civilization is reeded. We learn from the North on the bestemand- ced ?
fore the end of this year.
The Imperial Commissioners will not arrive at Canton before early in December. Giving every credit to the Chinese, for a sincere desire to secure a lasting peace, it must be owned the vast interests involved in this question, demand and will receive much patient consideration and inquiry; hence it is hardly to be expected that mat- ters can be definitively settled before the close of this or the beginning of next year.
We thank AMICUS for his communication, and claim the attention of our readers thereto, We cordially concur in his animadversions on the con- duct of the Iconoclastic Vandals, who have so dis- graced the British name.
In our translations from the Peking Gazettes it will be remarked that the use of Opium is still a punishable offence among the Chinese. What hope can be entertained of becoming relations bet- ween us and them, if the use and Sale of the noxious drug be not permitted by the Chinese, or interdicted by the British? Le temps viendra.
be disposed to affirm the whole world must be If we were in the vein to vaticinate, we should dominated, ere three Centuries elapse, by the Anglo-Saxon and Chinese races. Which of the two will be the eventual masters?
We understand a favorable reply has been received from the Viceroy to Commodore Kear ney's application. At the same to be the opinion of the Viceroy, that
was stated to be granted to the British under the ne
new treaty, would be equally shared by the Americans and all other. Foreigneron to this effect could not be given, was also intimated that a
until the arrival of the Imperial Commissioners,
formal
rity, that good Tsatlees were obtainable at one of the Consular Ports at $330 and, ordinary Tay saams at $ 270. Canton will soon cease, it is thought, the same time, due attention and care in the getting to be the Exporter of Nanking Raw Silk. At up and preparation of the Silk, produced in Canton face of the competition of
province, would still them very important
the Northern Ports)
and profitable returns to Europe.
rates, but the market is dull, owing to ample sup- COTTON, Sales are being effected at previous ne time privileges deliveries last month were 23,163 Bales
plies, and a large Stock of 91,497 Bales. The which is satisfactory as indicating increased consumption; still there is nothing in the position of this article, vance, to induce an expectation that the price will ad-
If present rates are supported, it is as much - as can be hoped for,
In
In other Imports, we have no change to report, but an
unusual dullness prevails, and until the question of the new duties be settled, business will be almost wholly suspended.
It seems pretty certain, unless the interference of H. E. the Plenipotentiary is invoked, that the Hong Merchants, in other words the British trade, will have to pay a very large portion of the War indemnification. It turns out,
turns out, the senior Hong Merchant Houqua by intreaties or threats was
We are sorry to learn that attempts at kidnap- ing have been resumed at Chusan. Captain
ping
WE much regret to learn that the number of Piratical attempts, off our harbour kinduced to sign a memorial to the Emperor which Wellesley (a nephew we are informed of the Duke
have in no wise
diminished. On many occasions, we have called the attention of the Authorities to the necessity of taking efficacious measures to suppress these out-
rages.
The recommendations of SENEX, which appeared in our Columns some weeks since, were at the time much approved and could not but have been effectual if they had been then ad
adopted. As yot, we believe, nothing whatever has been done, to re- move this long acknowledged obstacle to the de- velopment of the commercial enterprise of our Is-
land.
The present enhanced rates of all kinds of build- ing materials, and external supplies, are attribu- table mainly to the numerous Piratical craft which infest our vicinity.
certified that the Canton Ransom (6,000,000 %) was paid to Captain Elliot in liquidation of the old d Hong debts. The other Hong Merchants were constrained to follow Howqua's example, and in violation of a secret agreement, they say, they are now called upon for the Balance of said ransom,
If recent events have the effect of drawing the attention of the literati of Europe to the singular people among whom we reside, how much of light will be thrown on the mora
moral and intellectual structure of Chinese civilization. In this respect little, if any thing, has been done since the days of the accomplished Jesuits, who first planted the Christian faith in China.
A rich harvest of unanticipated knowledge would reward the patient inquirer into the Archaiology of this people. A casual inspection of their antique bronzes and drawings would convince a Win- kelmann that the very type of the elder art of Magna Grecia was originated in this land.
A resident
Surprise
It has been generally asserted, that no Autho- rity ashore or afloat, possesses adequate power, to put down this disgraceful state of things. We hes- itate not to say THIS CANNOT BE TRUE. It is gross injustice to the past conduct and character of H. E the Plenipotentiary, to suppose for one moment, that he could take umbrage at all proper care being taken to protect the lives and property of her Ma jesty's subjects, and others who may resort to our Island. Should even the strict letter of Sir Henry pated. He Pottinger's instructions, when he left, not authorise remedial measures, which we doubt, surely the alter- ed state of things, consequent on the cession of the Island, renders such an assumption of power per fectly conformable with their spirit, We hold it to be pus
pot to take all expedient precautions othing doubting as we do, that They ing will receive f hearty approval of H, E. the Ple- nipotentiary
We learn the Maron in decending the tzekiang struck on a rock near Golden
she lay for 3 days he was a
bein lightened by the Memnon
and then towed down the river by the Phlegethon
on the wall will discover Lectural days of
ton, will, if he visit the ancient vicinity, be struck with unlooked for or antici Junks of the form as figured Hundred gated
and Byza
ith others ran
Egypt and
of Wellington), and Lieut. Shadwell of the 98th (a Son of the Vice Chancellor) narrowly escaped being carried off. The latter, although tied to a pole, contrived to shoot at his assailants and wounded one if them in the arm, when they all made off.
We are convinced that these outrages, are solely attributable to the want of correct knowledge among the lower classes of the Chinese, as to the true position of political affairs.
The ignorance
with respect to late events which now exists at Canton is really astounding We happen to know, that a greatly improved feeling was created in in- fluential quarters by the mere perusal of the Mani- festo of . E. which appeared in our No. 28. It is widely distributed than through the medium of much to be regretted, that it has not been more
our Columns,
We had hoped ere this, to have issued a News- paper in Chinese, but the Types which were very handsomely loaned to us by H. E. the Plenipoten- tary, have hitherto been and still are
ploved at Macao, in printing some troductory to the study of the Chinese Languag Seeing that all or nearly all of the native popula tion are able to read, we indulge
He
well conducted native Print wou
archi
we have been
that a
Targe
circulated not only in Canton Province, but through- out this vast Empire
nated 13 too obvi than to add that will be taken