616
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. five days steaming of Hongkong, has her regn. Bogue forts, and until a ship is stationed there impartial view of this important matter, will lar monthly communication with London in it will be difficult to put them down entirely. come to our conclusion, that the two past is hereby Notified that a Public Sale of Leases of Crown Lands, will be held at the hurty days. Before the end of another year, we In addition to the ship inside the river, two or summers have been much more sickly than also will have a mail independent of Bombay, three. Gun-boats outside, constantly cruising they will be in future, and that Hongkong will Land Office on Tuesday the 24th December next
a change which will give satisfaction to all the among the islands and in six months we would be quite as healthy as the average of places at noon.
The lots are marked out on the grand and members of our community who have Corres- hear nothing of piracy. The plan is simple; within the tropics. plans shewing their position and size as also the pondents Europe, or who take an interest suitable vessels can be got without difficulty:
in passing events,
and the active young officers of the ships on up set annual rental with the general Conditions
the station, if permitted to do so, would gladly of Sale may be seen upon application at the Land
take command of the small cruisers. 'Office, between the hours of 13 a. M. and 1 o'clock
P. M,
By order, FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE.
Colonial Secretary.
8
.
The criminal session of the Supreme Court was closed yesterday in consequence of its being a Mussulman day of fast, but, will again open today.
Some of the cases tried have been of a serious nature; but none of the criminals were sentenced to death. One
FROM THE Peking GazettE. Goshungan, Ligat:-Governor of floman Pro vince reports, that the sufferings of the people in numerous districts on account of the entire drown- The weather for the past few days has beening of the crops, were intense, and therefore ap sufficiently cool to render a fire in-doors, and peals to the paternal heart of the Great Emperor, woollen clothing out-doors, necessary to com- who graciously ordains that the wretched populace, fort. No doubt our readers are now reminded of shall during three months be provided with food.
Since some of the hydraulic works have not been young man was convicted of piracy; the Christmas at home with all its agreeable asso
was sentenced to pay an enormous fine, fully equi GOVERNMENT BILLS.
proof being clear, that he had taken a rather ciations, and in their friendly festivities in this durably built, the Governor of Canals and River distant colony "absent friends" will not be for-
valent. to the amount of the repairs. which the WITH reference to the notice dated the 1st inst.prominent part when the offence was com-
gotten.
flood by destroying his labours has rendered ne- The summer of 1841 has passed away, per cessary. But the Engineer pleads his incapacity It is hereby notified that the rates of exchange for mitted. On account of his youth, the Jury in returning their verdict of guilty, humanely re- the ensning month of December are fixed.
haps with less sickness than night have been
to discharge this large som, and has obtained one For Lills on India at Two Hundred and Twen. commended him to mercy, and he was sen-anticipated from the experience of 1843, and years respite, after which he hopes to satisfy his ty Rupees (220) for 100 Mexican Dollars; and for tenced to transportation for life. Bills on England, at Fifty pence Sterling (50)
Where the Jury, who hear the ease and all looking back upon the season, there are one august master. When one considers the frequent for two circumstances worthy of observation, liabilities of eruption, to which the works now in for One Mexican Dollar.
the extenuating circumstances, recommend theThe fever has been of a milder type than that progress are exposed, and moreover is told; that prisoner to mercy, it is not for any man to of the previous year, or else professional men the officers.engaged in rebuilding the dykes, are object to their verdict, nor would we presume know, better how to treat it. It has often held responsible for the accidents and have to for a moment to do so. Neither would we be
been asserted that, there was no recovery make good from their own pay the losses, few understood to be anxious that any man's blood
under such conditions.
EDWARD PINE COFFIN, C. G. Victoria, November 30th, 1844.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
(
(To the Editor of the Friend of Chino.)
Victoria, 19th December, 1844. BIR,It has been very satisfactory to me and to proper thauner in which you have recently commented upon the numerous and daring acts of Piracy now so frequently occurring in the neighbouring waters, and not less gratifying is it to observe, by the promulgation Government to interfere for the suppression of this im- portant and growing evil. Unless something be done with great promptitude und decision, much life and property will be sacrificed cre the long winter nights in an Eastern, Western, or, Northern direction, without No native craft can venture out of this barbour, either imminent peril to the property on board, and resistance to the lawless vagabonds bring instinction, serious per- sonal danger is incurred. This evil of itself woud be
in your last Pager, that it is the intention of our local
pass.
should be shed; but it is the opinion of those from an attack of Hongkong fever, but the ex- persons can be found to enter the imperial service
in
The clemency of our laws and the impartial administration of them, cannot fail to attract
a
This is inva.
;
:
The Imperial mausoleums and a variety of other buildings in the neighbourhood of Moulde Mandarins ordered to rebuild them in the proper were long out of repair, and a number of intelligent
But they have been very long about it,
manner.
and are therefore disgraced to a man, and for ever
dismissed from office.
la a very serious affray the imperial troops weru
enough to check comnimerce withthe Island, were there the attention of the well disposed natives of the accomninodated class of the cob.unity are the their grain, the Emperor has given very strict or
not other caures ju operation having that effect. but
perience of this summer proves the assertion to best fitted to judge, that a severe example be incorrect-there have been instances of I would do good." Considering the character of the native population, the criminal code of perfect recovery from the most severe attacks It ought to be kept in remembrance, and English law is much too mild; a more suit should be impressed upon strangers, that many more of your readers to notice the earnest and mary form of trial with the Chinese would the greater number of those who died bad partly from want of funds and other difficulties,
equally well answer the "ends of Justice, and inake punishment more certain and immediate. recently arrived from Europe. We state this as an opinion, the carrying out tiably the case in all tropical climates and is of which we probably would not advotate the result of well known canses, not the least Mercy in all its phases is beautiful--though of them being the imprudence of those who are totally repulsed by a set of robbers, who wond many instances it is displayed to those who aware of the danger of exposure to a try posted themselves in a favorable situation and best In Julia, the mortality in a rege several of their solders. This defeat coming, to cannot duly appreciate the purity of the doc pical sun. trines from which it proceeds, and who may be ment, composed of robust young men fresh the ears of the Emperor, he forthwith sent orders, Rice is very scarce an I may be sold to a great and gradually decreases until the men are ac- tated by one of the noblest principles in the climated. The want of houses sutalale to the avantage in and near the Capital, the Mantelo apt to ascribe to imbecility, that which is die from home is always greatest the first year, that the military officers albul Fall lose their rau Christian's creed.
climate, has had no inconsiderable inflactice soldiers have been in the libit of opening regula
will unavoidably suffer want and part with all upon the health of the inhabitants. The best Rice-shops and selling their rations. As they thus Merchants, and the deaths among them orders to put a stop to their trafffe. their Assistants have bean few-nat mere than
Ataongst the defaulters of tlovernment is tho one in thirty five, and those who died were grandson of the Minister Tae, who has received but a few months from England. In the an Imperial prostate, that if he does not mako Chinese Comercial Guide: for 1844, there is, good his grandsire's debts within six months, họ published a list of the members of Government, will be put in prison. A gooral order is moreover thirty three games being there given, and out of sides ad to all the Custom-house officers, to aka that number one has died he also was fresh good the arreans of 1911 and 1812, during which fine the trade in most ports was alustat a stand, from home
and the receipts were very trifling. The Emperor however will not permit these sums to be lost for the public exchequer, and whether the money was levied or not, the commands of reimbursing it in stantly, or going to jail are peremptory.
King ching, a prince of the blood and assistant. Minister of the Cabinet, president of the Board of Revenue, andt of the Astronomical board, Jus long been at work to ascertain when would be the mos lucky day to perform otin coromonies, and bean fortune en gh by suntry der, caloulations and astrologien combinationg, to hit upon the right period, which is announced in the inzette.
the most lamentable consequence is the degrading position in which we are placed by a set of villains, nominally the subjects of those we have conquered, "lording it" over us, and almost blockading our Island. Wallst Canton is the chief Mart in this Quarter, and whilst this Port unfortunately has no commerce, the Merchants located here must occasionally visit Canton, nolens volens and at whatever personal risk, Surely then we ought to demand of the Chinese Govern- ment, security from plunder on the passage between the two places, especially as it was said when the matter was before mooted, they undertook to keep the waters clear of Pirates
The impunity with which the Ladrones have com- mitted their deeds of robbery and murder has embol dened them openly to attack vessels under the British flag, which they formerly feared. In.one recent case. a Schooner was plundered by them of cargo to an im portant amount, and within the last few days two other Schooners, the "Starling" and the "Spee," were saved only by the brave defence of their Captains and crews, the former not until three ofher met had fallen. These were however small craft, but to every budy's surprise, we hear that during the last week or so, two large ships, (one of them 600 tons burthen), were actually attacked near the Bogue. From the daring nature of such an act one might suppose that some of the Chinese vessels of war lately assembled in that direction were concerned in these attempts.
it is the duty of the Chinese Mandarins to check robbery on the Canton river, yet between Canton and the anchorage at Whampoa no native boat with an European on board can pass after San-set without ex- periencing some attempt at rubbery, and fire arius are now constantly used on the passage. Considering the amount of Treasuer passing in boats on that part of the river, protection becomes highly necessary.
fam,
Dear Sir, Your Obedient Servant
VIATOR
NOTICË, New advertisements, will be received, until 4 O'Clock, on the evenings previous to publi- cation, viz: Tuesdays and Fridays.
colony, and it is to be hoped that some good will result therefrom.
were.
Some Cousor endeavoured to throw flare upon the ernising of the navy, and has been masterly reluteil by professional people, who prove, that tho Marine is never behind in ernising about at the appointed stations, and in the best imaginaldo order,
EXTRACTS FROM THE CANTON
OFFICIAL REPORTER”
44
7th December 1844--The Governor Gene- rai Ke set off to-day for the Bugea Tigris where he is going to inspeet the foris,
8th Dec, 1841.-The Pupaty Assistant Ma- gistrate of a Chow District Ken-yun-yung wait- ed on the Governor to inform him he hail ap prehended the rabber Ath a shaore a id hand- ed him over to the District Magistrate of Pwan-yu for triak
The pirates_get_bolder daily and much alarm is felt for the safety of those who are obliged to pass to and from Canton. There have been two attempts lately made to cut off European ships-they were unsuccessful
We think it proper to state the matter plain- fortunately in both instances but the Pirates are still at large, and it is to be feared that ly, as owing to there having been some misrepre.
vessels less able to resist scutation, parties at a distance may be alarm they will pounce upon them than the Pampero and Jeremiah Garnett, ed very unnecessarily for the safety of their Our Correspondent Viator represents friends in the colony, and those who do not de the feeling of the mercantile community very sire to see the place prosper, will endeavour to fairly on this subject, and we trust his calm and injure it by exaggerating the extent of the sick sensible letter will not be overlooked by theness which has prevailed. It may be said that Executive. Something must be done speedily the deaths among the military far exceeds the to protect the lives of those, who are obliged to average of those among the civilians, and such Soldiers are of ne expose themselves to the attacks of the ruffians is unfortunately the case who appear to five taken possession of the cessity more exposed to the influence of cli- river. We wore in hopes that our government mate than others, and their mortality is always would take immediate steps to clear, the greater in consequence; but there is something waters of those who are almost daily insulting to us perfectly inexplicable in the fearful num our flag, and we still fervently trust that the yare ber of deaths which have occurred among the devising some plan for raising force adequate troops in Hongkong. Every precaution has to the service. We are induced to believe that been taken which, wisdom or humanity could such is the case, from the fact of the Ordinance dictate-no expence has been spared-no per published in our last paper, granting powers to sonal oxertions on the part of their Chief has the Executive, which strictly speaking can only been wanting-there has been no neglect on belong to the Legislative Council. The only the part of their medical attendants yet they assignable reason for this, is the desire to havé dropped off at a rate which we do not give the Executive power to deal speedily care to state. with the ruffians who set us at defiance. 1811 has been decidedly more healthy than Such we think will prove to have been the its predecessor, and the cushing year will, there motives which induced our Legislators to is little doubt, sce a further improvement in depart so far from established custoins; though this respect. i tropical countries there are farther than mere rumours we have not heard necasionally summers marked by an unusual that they have determined on any definite degree of the peculiar desease of the country; measures which they will adopt,
not unfrequently this continues for two sum- We would respectfully press upon His Ex-mers, after which the place may be compara. cellency, and his Executive Council, the neces- tively healthy "for, from five to ten years. The sity for immediate and vigorous measures being causes of this may be difficult to account for, taken, to vindicate the supremacy of our flag, but the fact is beyond dispute, at least such and to protect our fellow subject. This is not as the case in our own West India sottle a trivial matter, merely affording a question for ments, and also in some of the towns on the editorial discussion. It involves the personal Spanish main. It may be that 1813 and 1814, safety of valuable members of our community, in addition to the many existing and cureable it involves the security of large quantities of sources of malaria, has also been visited by treasure which must be shipped from or to one or two seasons of sickness similar to Canton, and it involves the national honour, those that scourge Demerara, Vera Cruz Whether this which is ever pledged to protect loyal subjects and other places in the West from robbers by land or water. Upon this has been the case or not is merely conjectural, question there cannot be a difference of opinion, but admitting it not to have been the case, and The men must be put down, their haunts dis, that the two past summers were a fair average covered, and their villages destroyed. The of the climate of Hongkong, we may still con- desease is not one, which will admit of mild fidently predict a greater degree of salubrity. remedies--it will be necessary to take decided The malaria generated from stagnant water steps, and that without delay. His Excellency and putrid vegetable matter, or from the laying is placed in a very responsible position the open the soil which for ages has been undis- urgency of the case, deniands immediate action turbed and covers up minerals in a state of de-Provincial Judge. against the pirates; and also a strong repre- composition, has been one of the great causes. sentation to the Chinese government, who of fever. are responsible for their own subjects in their rivers and harbours. We care little however, for the responsibility of the govern- ment of China. It would afford small satisfac- This uncertainty and irregularity is exceed- tion to the friends of those who may be mur ingly annoying to those engaged in commerdered to hear, that China was responsible for purpose of building, the ground inay occasional cial pursuits, and especially so at this particular the deed, and that one or two criminals hadly require to be turned up, but never to the season, as future operations in ea may in a been strangled to expiate the offence. We extent that it has boen for the two past sum-partments and the Prefect of IIwuy-chow with great measure depend on the advices from must protect ourselves not by paper missives, mers, In superior house accommodation there home, which there was every reason to ex-but by an armed force. We need not tell His is another reason for predicting less sickness, pect would have come to hand are this. The Excellency, that the Chinese, in all that relates At present there fe many very good houses establishment of a regular monthly communica- to foreigners, only understand one language in the course of erection, suitable for people of tion will render most essential service to our that for them no eloquence is so persuasive as moderate come, who heretofore have been compelled to reside in uncomfortable Chinese commerce, and will we trust, be arranged with the broadside of a ship of war. as little delay as possible. The latest dates In the present state of affairs the presence of houses, which neither afford a protection from from London (6th Aug,) are nearly four months a ship of war at Whampoa is indispensable. the hest of summer, or the cold winds of winter and a half old; while Bombay, within twenty "The pirates seek a protection inside of the We think that every than who takes af
ENGLAND
UNITED STATES
CALCUTTA
BOMBAY
BYDNEY
MADRAS BATAPIA
LATEST DATES,
Aug. 8 SINGAPORE Nov, July 10 MANILA • Nov 17
Oct. 14 CHUSAM
Nov. 19 SHANGHAI Nov. Foo.cow-Foo Dec. ANDY
Dec.
9
12
A
Oct. G
Oct, 10 Sept. Oct 18
1
THE FRIEND OF CHINA, AND HONGKONG GAZETTE,
VICTORIA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER, 21 1544.
The long expected September mail has not yet made its appearance, and there is conse- quently an unusual dearth of news. The Teaser, from Madras, experienced very bad weather in the China seas, and it is probable the Helen from Bombay with the mail on board has been equally unfortunate, Or if she took the eastern passages, her delay proceeds from other causes. There have been hopes entertained of the Spiteful's arrival with the mail for October; but we presume it also has been sent on by a sailing ship,
Thanks to the exertions of govern- ment these are all, or nearly, all about being removed, and before another summer comes round, the town will have good sewers, and the water which formerly lay stagnant, even in our streets, will be carried to the sea. For the
10th Dec. 1814. The former (acting) As- sistant District Magistrate of Pwan-yu, Tsuy- wo-che, waited on the Governor to inform him that he was going to the District of Hac- fung (on the coast, about 100 miles to the east of Hongkong) to lying to this city the robbers. Hing-a koo and others in all 10 persons.
11th Dec. 1841-The Secretary of the Salt Department at the Tan Shuy station Chang.seil-shoo reported, himself for inspec tion (that it may be seen if he be fit for the di- ties of his office) and also that he had been deputed by the Intendant of the way-clow and Chaou-chow Departments to bring to this city the criminals Fan-a-yew and others in all 10 persons whom he had delivered over to the
Kin-hwang, the Police Magistrate of the Tow-yang Division of the Hae-yang District (situated at the top of an inlet which opens into the sea about 30 miles to the South West of Namoa) and Ko-pei-ling, an Officer of the ninth class, second division, waited on the Go- vernor to report their arrival at this city. whether they had been deputed by the Inten- dant of the Hway-how and Chaod-chow De the criminals. Fan-a-teen- and others in all 14 persons from the Lub-fung District (This Dis. trict lies on the coast about 120-130 miles to the North East of Hongkong)
Lae-kung, an Expectant Assistant. District Magistrate waited on the Governor to inform him that he had apprehended and delivered. over to the District Magistrate of P'wan-ya the robbers Yu-a-yew and others in all 16 persons.