A
174
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
FRIENDT CITYA AND HONGKONG GAZETTEN
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, JANUARY 19mm, 1843,
fen-
THE Proserpine Steamer, returned from Canton on Tuesday morning. We learn by her, that all is quiet there. We regret to hear that the Steamer on her passage hither chio in contact with large Salt Junk, which immediately found
re ered
all the crew were Except one man, picked up. It was near the Bogue and at night Several Mandarins have visited the Island week, one with a peacock's Ten there told, the bearer of a reply from the Emperor to H. E. the Plenipoten tary's Proclamation of the 27th of Novem- ber, with reference to the slaughter of the crew of the Nerbuddha. We hear it is all
Isa that can be wished, we hope it will be soon published for the satisfaction of the public. It is expected H. E the Plenipotentiary, will pay a visit of ceremony to the imper- ial Commissioner, afterwards returns hither in time for the report of the Merchants Cnmmittee, besides any other plans, sug gestions or opinions, which may be submit ted in writing to his Excellency, by British Merchants.
On a late official visit of the Chief Ma- gistrate, to the eastern parts of the Island, two large Opium Smuggling boats, were seen on shore, at Laimoon. On nearingthem the crews of both (about 120) fled to the hills. Such evident alarm led the Chief Magistrate to order the apprehension of two of the runaways, and an examination of the vessels. Before measures could be taken to detain the vessels, the Stone-cut- tery who lived thereabouts had destroyed both the boats, which were fully armed, each a 12 pounder on board, with; Swivels &c. &c. On an after examination of the papers, found on board, it was discovered, that although employed in the Opium trade, yet Piracy was equally congenial This being satisfactorily made out, the delinquents were handed over to the Chi- nese Authorities, at Kowloon, and it is be- lieved will suffer Capital punishment for their manifold offences.
we do not think any very lengthened di- plomatic correspondence will be required, to secure the co-operation of the Chinese Government from whom we are told this suggestion proceeded.
We now come to the concluding paragraph the letter, and - which refers to the Optum t
In our last we pointed out that its legalization with the imposition of a duty of 15 per Cent, would inguish the Contraband trade, and contribute
* 2,700,000 to the Imperial revenues. It is how- over certain the present Emperor cannot As promised in our last, we revert to the very losing face" permit the introduction of Oplum. interesting Communication of H. E. the Plantpoo many edicts have been promulgated against its
atary, then published in
use, und so many persons have been capitally pu- nished for their action, that it is almost chimer- rent to anticipate that the Emperor, will ever openly
o much approve the request of the Planipa tentiary, that any suggestion which may be made, should be in writing. We are sorry the Commit- tee (the composition of which is faultless, seeing
Anglo that it unites the suffrages of the who Chinese mercantile interests) have not at once ad, dressed itself to us task; confident as we are, that
its recommendations would command the atten tion and respect to which they would be justly entitled. It is not true, we hope that the Committee is shirking its responsibility, nor that it shrinks from committing itself,
be taken at the same time to secure to us such
ke such The tortumus course
prese
olicy suggesta
a plan, which may par e humiliation of the Emperor, yet at the same time secure the object In view Suppose, it were stipulated that Indian produce above the value 2 a Catty should pay por cent 15 duty, Oritis, as Indian produce would be placed in this category, whilst the name of it would not appear in the official Tariff. We make but a crude suggestion, but we believe with a little dexterity, this desideratum might, at the pre sent juncture, be realized. We say nothing on the score of the compatibility, or non-compatibility fof such a stipulation, with th hour of British Di- plomacy sufficient is it for us to know, that any kind of Official arrangement with the Chinese, will be nationally, far less disgraceful to the Briush name than the existing System.
We mnch regret H. E has not followed his original intention, and published the Treaty in its entirety. We can well understand the impro- priety of publishing (prior to the ratification of) a Treaty, which may have arisen out of unexpected or wholly unforeseen circumstances the unlooked for sequence of a sudden rupture, or an unantici- pated war. Such is not the Case in this instance.
Nearly four years have elapsed since the seizure In our last, we animadverted on the 2d article of the Opium, and it has throughout the Contest of the Treaty. Additional inquiry aggravates ita been openly avowed that besides a proper indem- objectionableness) The Consula, are it seems, to nification, in the event of a pacification, care would
see the just duties and dues of the Chinese Gov. ernment are duly discharged by the British Mer- conditions, as would promote a free Commercial chants. How it is possible for any Consul to do intercourse with China. We hardly credit the this, we have yet to discover. If with all our ef- statement, viz, that so utterly disgusted was the fort, it be impossible, as it confessedly is to prevent Public at home, with the War, that at the acces Contraband trade in our English Ports, how can sion of the Peel administration, Lord Palmerston's
we prevent it in those of China? We shall not instructions were cancelled, and H. E. the Ple discuss the morale of the question, we all know, in best terms he could; but still to make peace: yet less valued, because they are smuggled. A late nipotentiary empowered to make peace, on the the best circles at home, commodities are not the this is almost the only valid plea which occurs to Secretary of State for Foreign affairs, with many us, for the non-publication, here, of the Treaty of of his lady friends were habitually supplied with Peace.
choice Silks from France, which were smuggled into England in the despatch bags, and for a public scandal, were one day unluckily discovered, by the
We can anticipate the generous joy, which the welcome announcement of Peace with China will produce at home. The terms and conditions will not be too closely scanned, amidst the national re- joicings. The Commercial community here, will learn the Conditions of the Treaty from the Eng Esh papers, and only then, after it has been ratified by the Crown and approved by the People. Hence all hope of any important modification must be of the Chinese Government, be immediately ap- abandoned, unless the known friendly disposition pealed to, and we at once avail ourselves of the great confidence, which the Imperial Commis sioners, justly repose in the judgment of the Pleni- potentiary.
This is an additional reason why the Committee should lose no further time, and transmit its Re- port at the earliest day possible. With no disposi- tion to interfere with its vocation, but as auxiliatory, we invite all suggestions promotive of its objects, which we shall be glad to publish, as we really think, any additional delay may be dangerous.
Failing the present practical applicability of our
officers of the Customs.
tiary, dated the 20th Augt.we find it states that the By the extract from the letter of the Plenipoten- "Prohibitory laws as to the exportation of particu- lar articles, from particular ports, must of course be annulled". We presume this refers especially
tion that the Export of Sycee will be legalised, the being heretofore prohibited. We see no intima- to the export of Tea from Foo-chow by sea, it
limitation on the export of Raw Silk will be re- moved. The free Export of both should be per- mitted, or else the law will be evaded; for with all respect for Constituted Authorities, it would be too monstrous, to expect that a Merchant will not export Sycee or Silk, his own property which he the Chinese Government is so insensate as to in- has received in payment for his ventures, because “ terdict it, and the British Government may hap- pen to be pledged to recommend compliance with
so absurd a regulation.
Piracy Our readers will be shocked with the accounts of piracies, which will be found in another part of our paper. On past occasions we know umbrage was taken at our animadversions, and altho ceplan (Vide No 27), for an analytical clasification Hong Debts, the abolition of the Hong Monopoly, were captured in sight of the harbour by Pirates, yet we did not obtrude our own particular case,
m the public notice, but we persisted in asking whether any protection to that time, the es on all exports were (and whatever, was to be given to those who might resort to the Island ?
on
in the New CHINESE TARIFF, we would recom
to that which (by the Treaty of 1838) we made with Turkey. Prior
mend an arrangement Bialogo
e now) but 8 per Cent, but then the Grower of tum, Silk, or other produce was hable to the bitrary exaction of heavy but fluctuating
trans due, much to the erce. By the above treaty, Article
"If any article of Turkish
be purchased for e
conveyed by the Brit free of any kind of
The past supineness has been owing, wo are told, to the alleged impossibility of dis- tinguishing the armed Opium Smugglers from Pirates. Indeed they are convertible if not synonymous terms. It is morever said that many, who now complain loudly of the present state of things, would be more dissatisfied if any proper remedial measures were adopted, for if efficacious, all other inter the illicit trade in Opium would be perilled
Be this true or not, it is nevertheless contestable, that the present state of t on the coast of our Island, the adi waters and Canton river is disgracefol the British name and our boasted Christian civilization.
SINCE the above was written we have
learned that arrangements have for
time past, been
thorities of Cf
effect.com
will ensure
ogress with the
vince to car
ction.
oever to a conver
plac of Simp hich, it shall be liable to dity of 9 per Cent, ad valorem, in lieu of
We thould m
has been the Custom in
Article No 5. Stipulates the payment of the and exemption from the same system in future. It will receive, we think, unqualified approval.
Article No 10. Gua
3-a fair and regular Herem lies the gist of the whole matter. rest mainly with the Merc tion is an entity or not. With respect duties, and the rate hereafter to be or-
ha.
before adverted thereto.
range
We ar not pleased at the in the Correspondence, to of Canton, We had hoped "el away and all things had bec
we expect a reference would ICIOU: er, there prevalent, and ed the quarrel
We have a well founded persi
co-operatic
New
trence
And nustoma
Pirate
flight
infest our
the
enemies of all (communes kostea omnium)