זרו לי!
108
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONG-KONG GAZETTE.
We take the appointment of M. Lagrenee to the post of French Minister in China to be an additional proof that the pp- licy of the French Government abroad is mainly regulated by The effect which it is calculated to produce at home; for it is utterly impossible that this gentleman should convey to the incre dulous advisers of his Celestial Majesty an accurate or adequate Aiea of the greatness of a nation like France, whose comnierce is scarcely known in the ports of China, and whose political influenceda less felt than that of Folland, or Portugal, in the seas of Asia. The immense extension of the commercial relations of China and Great Britain, is obviously due to the singular im- portance which all classes in this country attach to the use of ton. We are bound to China by some of the strongest of our national and domestic habits, In other countries tea is a luxury, in Englund it is a necessary. Other countries might rival us in the production of manufacturas suited to the Chinese markets, but there is not the slightest probability that any European people, or any people not of British origin, will ever afforda better market than ourselves to this important article of Chinese growth. We may safely disclaim on the part of this country any intention of asserting or exercising any exclusive commer cial privileges, or of seeking to place British trade under what we hold to be the noxious influence of artificial protection. But certain branches of trade with certain countries are powerfully affected by the habits and tastes of different communities. The influence of England must be felt in Portugal, in the long run; because this is the only country in the world which offers a great and wealthy body of consumers for the red wines of Portugal. So also the influence of England is felt and will be felt in China, because the English are by far the most numerous and opulent customers of that country. Such, indeed, is the force of these habits that they far exceed the influence of political predilections; they defy prohibitions, and at times they belie the shrewdest con- clusions of economical science. It appears to us to be as idle an enterprise for France-not having any trade with China, and not offering any considerable demand for Chinese commodities, to seek to share the influence which England owes entirely to her trade, and her taste for Chinese productions, as it would be for an inland Power to set about the equipment of a fleet for a voyage of discovery. The importations from China into France in the year 1841 amounted in value to 1,391,811f, including 127,237 kilogrammes of tea. The exports from France to China were valued at 64,045f, or about £2,442 The declared va- lue of the exports of British produce to China in the six years previous to the war yaried from £700,000 to £1,300,000. The imports of tea silk, and other articles into Great Britain were estimated at £3,147,481 in the year 1837-1838; and the cost in China of the tea used by the people of the united kingdom is not much short of £3,000,000.
...
The Chinese know little or nothing of the nations of Europe- except by their enterprise in trade, and we are at a loss to con- ceive how the representative of the King of the French will sup Do the dignity of his nation thi the ports of China, since he car- ries with him neither the weight of great commercial interests, nor a fleet of war-steamers.
But, independently of these considerations, there is something in the form of M. de Lagrenee's appointment from which we pre- sage no very brilliant results to his expedition. The functions of a Minister Plenipotentiary are usually understood to be those of the representative of one monarch residing at the Court of another. Hitherto the Emperor of China has not shown the smal- lest inclination to attach a corps diplomatique to his Court, or to introduce the accomplished barbarians who have recently dis- torbed his celestial repose to the political society of Pekin. We have indeed obtained the liberty of trading at certain ports, and the Chinese Government have very wisely reflected, that the best reans to keep British traders and British crews in order was to place them under the superintendence of a consular agent of their own nation. The powers of Sir Henry Pottinger were not those of a Minister Plenipotentiary in the ordinary sense of the term, but of an Envoy invested with full authority to conduct the war, to treat for peace, and now to cause the conditions of that peace to be duly observed; but we ourselves have not obtained from the Chinese any thing which can be interpreted into a consent to receive a Minister Plenipotentiary from this country. That point was obviously one which the Court of Peitin was most na willing to concedo, even when it felt that the safety of the empire required the greatest sacrifices; and we have no reason to doubt that Sir Henry Pottinger exercised a sound discretion in not insisting upon this condition at that moment. As, however, the fact is certain, that neither our ancient and extensive commercial relations with China, nor our recent military and naval successes, have had the effect of establishing a Minister Plenipotentiary at Pekin, we are at a lows to conceive on what footing M. de Lagrenee expects to stand. He has neither the rank nor title which would entitle him
to appear on the coast of China with all the splendour of an em bassy extraordinary; nor are the relations of France and China such as to call for the more useful, but unpretending, intervention of a Minister. We presume, therefore, that, like the last French mission into Persia, the whole matter is to be looked upon as political pastime for the close of this session of the Chambers and the opening of the next-Timen, May 12, 1843.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE-
(To the Editor of the Friend of China,)
Chusan June 30th, 1843,
Shipments to this bave in some instances resulted in disappointment on account of goods remaining long upon hand, reasonable expectation has not been reali- zed, for since the termination of hostilities there has not been a commensurate increase of demand. It is difficult to conjecture the wh ore, but the trade from this, is confined alm boats from Shi-poo
exclusively to Ningpo. No south and scarcely any from
Hang chow foo or
the North. We may venture a surmise that either from restraint of the ruling powers, or the pr lence of Pirates, but we know no fucts to establish the latter opinion.
Military examinations occur at period intervals. both at Chinhae and Ningpo. Went to rade groun
place and witnessed the Military
chery ex mination the archers were remarkably fine men-clad
of latter o
in silk their accuracy of evolution and graceful
motion threw a
The target was
arrows after slow
kneeled to the assemb
interest into thi
distant each man fred
firing his quota ndarina. mentioned the
amount of his success or failure, which being recorded.
he rose and retired to the rear
teld.
“A specimen of
day
mong
soldiers upon
about half the
feeling occured th
an enormous
Daylight, walked up to parade ground at Chinhae,and || agitation, the funds fell 3 per cent : watched the troops mustering they were dressed quite reduction under the circumstances, and strikingly the same as the ordinary people, only distinguishing evidences the apprehensions of our Capitalists.
Sir N. Wraxall in his memoirs relates that the mark,being their number. Some were armed with single sword and buckler others with double sword and
Dirty" Duke of Norfolk was one day complain. buckler, many had long, three pronged instruments, anding to Dudley North that he was a martyr to the others had sword blades inserted in the end of a long rheumatism and had ineffectually tried every re- stick, many with matchlocks and all with pipes for
medy for his relief "Pray my Lord" said he "did which they shewed most regard-they mustered very you ever try a clean shirt ? irregularly and stood about in confused groups-no combination of movements—no order but a mere mob encumbered with arms, they were generally fine men however, and quite disposed to be respectful.
On examining the fortifications of Chinhae and Ningpo it will be found that nothing has yet been done towards putting these important positions into a state of defence. Chinhae citadel, has been slightly mended up, but may be said to be yet in ruins, and they are wholly unsupplied with artillery--a few labourers have been here and there, employed with bricks, and mortar, but that apathy is strikingly apparent, which always speaks, of the absence of spirit, energy, and science in the rulers
GREY SHIRTINGS.-Recent large sales have been
effected at $3,25.and, immense quantites would doubtless
be taken off at such prices. BLEACHED do, in demand at 84. Pro LEAD abundant $5. PEPPER selling readily $6 a 625, RATTANS rather well supplied 85 a 51. RICE has fallen to $1.60 pr. picul-prospect of abundant har- vest. ALUM may be obtained in quantity for $1,20.
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THE FRIEND OF CHINA, AND HONG KONG GAZETTE.
VICTORIA, THURSDAY, AUGUST 81ST, 1848.
as
THE intelligence by the last Mail is of peculiar and
Although the finances of the Country harl
to a much greater extent
sion of Trade, than was Peel in his memorable war indemnifi- eness of the and ere
ted by Sir Ro
revenue interested
on an earl
apparent.
To the Whig and Tory factions who have both co- erced poor Ireland and averred that they had ineffec tually tried every other remedy we would say "Did ye ever try justice? But we will not enter the arena of home politics, and we now only refer to the Irish agitation, as lo our minds it is the only impediment to an otherwise inevitable improve- ment in the condition of the middle and industrial
classes.
he middle
China has occupied a very small share of public attention during the month of May, except among the religious world as will be seen by our extracts, Verily we shall soon have more missionaries than merchants in this quarter of the globe. If we may judge by the past, barren and drear is the prospect for evangelizing the idolaters of this land.
The sytee which has, and will come from China evidently affords John Bull huge contentment Vide the Debate on the Budget) the less scrupu lous, but equally honest politicians of the old school would have taken care to have had an early quar. rel with folks that could pay so well for being eaten. Nous verrons, any way John Bull will not be sorry at another cause of quarrel with China provided always it be not connected with Opium, faught it smells too rank for his gin swilling fastidiousness.
We are glad to see Mr. Gladstone is promoted to the Presidency of the Board of Trade. · The man has that within him which may yet do the state good service.
The evident satisfaction with which Sir Robert it will become a permanent impost, and thus ena- Peel regards the Income tax leads us to hope that
ble him to complete his plans of fiscal reform which include a reduction of the Duty on our Staple.
One third of the Church of Scotland has seceded from the Establishment. Such an overt act of at- tachment to a principle (be it right or wrong little boots the philosophic observer) may awaken some interest even in England, where hitherto no one knew or cared to know aught of their ghostly squabbles. A notice of motion on the subject in the house of commons by a Scotch member always led to both Whigs and Tories deciding not to make a house on
on that night.
The firmness of Sir Robert Peel on the Canadian corn question, augurs well, and we are rejoiced to see that one colony at least is likely to become an integral part of the British Empire. Having a republican neighbour, Canada must be coaxed into loving monarchy by substantial advantages.
For other matters of news sbronght by the last mail we must refer to our Extracts from the English Papers.
In another part of our paper, under the head Manchester, it will be seen that our Trans-atlantic bretliren are making great efforts to largely parti cipate in the China trade, The determination of the Chinese Government to place all Foreigners on an equal footing, renders the missions of the French and American Envoys almost supereroga- tory
From the low prices ruling in America for ton, it is expected considerable supplies their way from thence to China. It is said, cannot vouch for the fuct, that Boweds" which would find favour in the Northern also Egyptian, if the prices were no sent rates, which by our last accoun dria we had to be 28 per per lb. for Freight and Expenses bring the price to 5d. per price at Liverpool has ordinarily b 1834 it was as his 15 to 18d.
We should be glad to see
trade tween China and Egypt and if o valuable a produci of Beypt & Colton, disposable in this market, another mode tageou ying funds dow.
vered, and it would
Europe, vnd the ancier
With a direct
any articles of
the port
froma
and the