054
the cost they appear to imposo upon us, and, above either, the obstructions their supposed commercial interests have raised to the adoption of fien trade with foreign countries, have indeed disposed an in- telligent though a small, class of thinkers to cut the Gordian knot of colonial difficulties by the abandon ment of all colonies. Instinctively, however, on the part of the many, and for most substantial reasons on
on the part of others, that conclusion finds no response in the public mind.
THE FRIEND OF CILY AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
be made apparent, upon an accurate investigation. But even if all our difficulties with China could be accommodated, there is still that to be got ever, which
said to have influenced Sir Henry Pot tinger to fixing on the final cassion of Hongkong, in preference to Chusan : and that is, the interests and influence of the landholders at the former set tlement to which, if that skilful plenipotentiary thought it expo lient to yield, when comparatively but a trifle of capital had been sank; how will t he possible to over come that obstacle now that it has sugmented in a hundred fold degree? Let us one if Mr Davis, who, as the Friend thinks, has a
responsible government by rebellion ouly, For twenty years we kont the colony in a state of chro- nic anarchy rather than concede responsible go vernment; the Canadians were not, we deladed ourselves by saying, fit for it, while their very desire was the best evidence we could have of their fitness Eo now, under the guise of the same poor fallacy we refuse representative government to the Cape of Good Hope, and palm off on New South Wales a system of representation that dissatisfies every settler in it. Kussians might not be, if placed in New Zealand, fit for a system of government desi- ed them at St. Petersburg; but Englishmen setled constitutional rule at home, and because their tradiis diplomatist enough to repar the error of Sir tions teach them nothing of any other sort of go Henry Pollinger. vernment under any other they become bad, hot good subjects, English colonies cannot be well go- verned by any despotic system, because in England there are no materials to form good despots. To be well governed, our colonies must in the main be self-governed. Our early colomst, instead of part
Fogland's own imperial revenue of Fifty millions Is not this a rehearsal of the injustice of the rich man who had excceiling may flocks and herde, and who spared to take of his own flock and his own herd, and took the on
one little ewe lamb of the poor man, which kindled the wrath of David and forced him to say, he shall restore the lamb fourfold, be cause he did this thing and had no pity
(From the Sing, Free Press Sept. 11.) APPREHENSION OF PIRATS.-A Dutch Gun-
Colonies so obviously augment our political im- portance that their abandonment would necessarily
and its diminution would inevitably beget another there are fit because they themselves have enjoyed eye to a wider and more agreeable Government at Rhio, requesting the aid of the Government diminish our influence in the affairs of Europe, struggle by France, if not for universal dominion, at least for supremacy in the European system French supremacy therein is inconsistent with our existence as a first-rate power; and our reduction to a secondary state would react prejudicially on civilization and liberty generally. Moreover, the trouble our colonies give us is not inherent in, but is extraneous to, their possession; it is not a neces
CALCUTTA.
(From the Friend of India.) The Singapore Free Press of the 12th of June
boat lately brought letters from the Residua
here in apprehending several persons residing in the Islands near Singapore, who were ac- cused of piracy and other crimes. The infor mation was, we believe, derived rom a quon dam pirate who has been spared on condition ten persons have been apprehended in Rhio by of pointing out his former comrades. – Seveen-
sary condition of colonial existence, but the resulting with a portion of their rights when they sez publishes a statement of the receipts and expend his assistance, and a number of persons residing
of colonial mismanagement ; it is not an argumens for their abandonment, but a reason for their bettor government.
|
We must return to our older and wiser system of colonization. Colonial boards at home are not as the Times supposes, the want of the colonies. Local representation is their want. Without representa tion, boards are useless; with it, they are, as we shall hereafter show, noodless — Atlas, April 12,
ture of that settlement for the year 1844-45, on witch we propose to offer a few remarks. From a memorandum, for which we are indebted to a friend, we learn that the number of square rigged vessels which arrived in the port daring this period amounted to 754, and that their aggregate tonnage was equal to 257,609 tons and that the number of native boats, junks, &c which visited it was 2404, and their tonnage 79,689. The valoo of the Im
in the above islands were indicated by him as the recipients of plunder, by whom it was dis posed and supplies of arins and ammunition furnished. A Constable and Peons were sent. in the Dutch Gun-boat, and apprehended four Malays and a Chinaman who are now in Jail. The Tomungong immediately, on their appre hension being known, claimed two of the men was Ms. 3,04,00,780, the value of Exports as his followers. One of these and another sterling in an island which a quarter of a century were stated by the Dutch Constable to be very Sterling in an island" which a quarter of a century desperate characters having formely resided int ago was occupied by tigers and pirates.^ ^ "
Rhio, where they are charged with having been The Receipts during the year under review, amounted to 5,06,270 Rs. Os this sum, 5,22,481 concerned in upwards of forty murders, In Rs were realized from Excise Farms, which form consequence of the Tomungong's interference, the mainstay of its revenues. The disbursements we understand there is some scruple about giv for the civil administration of the Colony, amounting up the prisoners, but we should think that, ed to 2,47,327 Rathe Military expenses to the best way of getting rid of them would be to 1,94,421 Rs.; and the expenses incurred for con- hand them over to the Dutch Authorities, who victs to 51,571 Rs- leaving a sinall excess of re-
no doubt, would submit them to a fair trial. It ceipts to the amount of 12,949 Rs. Among the would be a pity if any thing should occur to Civil disbursements we find the large sum of check the laudable exertions of the Dutch au- 45,285 Rs lumped together under the bead of thorities to root out the pirates in this quarter, Contingencies in the several departments, al. There is a fama clamosa against the Sinpapore though it is deemed necessary to enter other items Malays in Rhio, which we should be sorry to with such minuteness that we find the smal sum think any thing on the part of the Toinungong of 900 Rs separately specified as the Salary of the should give countenance to--that is to say, if overseer of Public Works for six months. Itap the evidence against the persons whom he lays pears highly objectionable that so large a sum, claims to is strong. equal to nearly one fourth of the whole of the Co lonial expenditure, should be inserted without any explanation. We need scarcely say that this cir. cumstance detracts in no small degree from the value of the present balance sheet. The expense of the Post Office Establishment amounts only to 1680 Rs, while the receipts have reselied 10,857 Rs. The disproportion is glaring. The Postage
of revenue, because the Post Office is the great promoter of civilization and social improvement, and its capacity to perform this high and Important duty ought not to be weakened by its being called on for a contribution to the national resources. Least of all should ir be made a source of laxation in an infant colony like singapore,
It appears, then, that the Civil establishments do not require so much as one-half the income of the Island, and that if some of the more exception- able of the items of expenditure could be lopped off, there would be no inconsiderable surplus of revenue or local improvements; but until the Suprema: Go vernment, or the home authorities, have adopted the wise resolution that the overplus income shall be expended for the benefit of the island, it would be indiscreet to propose any retrenchments.
the little balance which appear at the credit of the is land, as the Singapore Free Press says, "is deposit. od in the packets of the Proprietors of India Stock," and to increase that deposit, would only be to im poverish the island,
dedina distant depends that of the land they had purer air than even that of the land they had relinquished. Thus we rendered colonies attrac. The cost, too, of colonies to England is vastly tive to men of intelligence, activity and spirit. By exaggerated, and such as it is, might readily be pursning the opposite course we are reducing colo reduced. A large item of what is called colonialization to a mere shovelling out of paupers, expenditure" is most improperly so termed, in con- sequence of misapprehension of the word "colony In modern phraseology, all dependencies arc teim- ed colonies. This is, however, an abuse of lan guge. A colony, in its ancient and accurate signi- fication, is a territory of which the soil is either entirely or principally owned by settlers from the mother country-a possession in which the art of colonization may be practised by the dominant (From the Madrasa 1 rescent, August 13.) state. Military stations, such as Malta, Gibraltar, The last received Friend of India is speculating the Ionian Isles, the Falkland Islands. Aden, St upon the couduct likely to be pursued by the Home Helena, and Hongkong-conquered districts pos. government upon the payment of last instalment sessed by native inhabitants with a slight admixture of the Chinese compensation meney; when, agree of the conquerors, such as Ceylon-dependent emably to the terms of the treaty, the island of Chu- pires filled by crowded and varioes people, such as sao is to be restored to the Celestial Empire. Many our posts on the coast of Africa-convict establish months ago desires were expressed, by the mercau ments, such as Norfolk Island-are not colonies. tile community. that Chusan should he substituted To charge their expenses against colonies is to 10- as a pore of trade, in lieu of one or more of those flict an injury on the great cause of colonization now open on the continent of China; but the and of civilization And yet great part of our Friend advocates the retention of the whole island, colonial expediture is so made up. Undoubtedly, as an appdage to the Crown of Great Britain, however, the military expenses of our colonies is on the plea that, as the French treaty secures to Jarge; but just in proportion as they are well go France the advantages enjoyed by the most favor- verned may it be reduced. By internal good goed nations, sho will, naturally, demand the cossion vernment une half the troops now in the colonies of an island, on the strength of our having posses. might he spared, and as tranquillity and prosperity sion of Hongkong: and such ore the desirabilities are the result of good government, the military cost of Chusan, from its pohtical and commercial por of our colonies might he reduced to the expense of tion, as well as its internal resources and salubrity, external defence-small in time of the peace. At that the moment we quit its shores the French presont we have in foreign service 77 regiments. will be sure to put in their claim to its acquisition. But of these 45 are not in colonies; 29 are in In It is only natural to suppose that both France dia, 14 in our military stations, and 2 in Ceylon; and America, wilt do their utmost to work out the of letters ought in no country to be made a matter and of the 22 that are in the colonies, no less than full benefit of their treaties; and if their object be 18 are in British America, and it in the tropical the same as the Friend's, with regard to overawing colonies. Now, the fact of this large proportion the Chinese empire, Chusan is a likely spot to be of the troops actually in colonial service being in selected by either of them; for this political reason, North America and the West Indies, ja owing, 1st, chiefly, ought the English to endeavour to retain to the misgovernment of the mother-country which the island, even at the price of giving up three of produced rebellion in Canada, and dissensions be the five ports, and restoring Hongkong into the tween masters and labourers in the tropical colo bargain : but the difficulty is to get over the eleventh nies; and 2dly, to the unsatisfactory stato of our article of the Supplementary Treaty, which stipas foreign relations with the United States, which lates that "the British furces shall be withdrawn compel us to guard Canada and the West Indies from Chusan, nod Coolung●Suo restored to the So to that to the 45 regiments on foreign service Chinese government, the moment all the monies that are not in colonics, at least 15 other regiments shall be paid; together with all dwelling houses, that are in them must be added as part of the price storehouse, barracks, and other buildings rented or colonial misgovernment costs the mother-country, built during the occupation, exactly as they stand," And similar deductions must be made in naval ex- flere is no loop hole left to creep out at; nor any penditure before we can arrive at what the cost of excuse to delay the evacuation; so that if a reason defending the colonies really is. These large de is to be found for nou surrender, it must be sought ductions made, the item of colonial expenditure, in some violation, real or pretended, of the other Now se striking, would be small indeed. And as articles of the Treaty.
- 'army and uavy form in their present state the⠀⠀⠀ The Friend acts bus wits to work upon this lan greatest obstacle in reduction of taxation, good godable inquest, and conjectures that, Mr. Davis'a vernment in the colonies would, by allowing a lately proclaimed resolution, to insist upon having considerable part of the troops in them and the ships Canton thrown open to Europeans as much as of war about them, to be withdrawn, enable the Shanghai and Ningpo-has reference to the con. Chancellor of the Exchequer to largely reduce the tingency of retaining Chusan : and that, in thò Estimates, and to proportionably lighten the public hands of a skilful plenipotentiary, a negociation burthens Thus the people at home are pecuniarily for its cession would be crowned with success interested in the better administration of the colonies Certainly, in order to oblige us to conform to our Equally erraneous it is to hold a restrictive com part of the treaty, the Chinese are band to fulfil mercial policy inseparable from the possession of theirs, as one violution will justify another; but extensive colonies. If free trade be good for the it is probable that, if the treaty were scrutinized, mother-country, it must be quite as beneficial for and the performance of its spirit and meaning were colonies. The trade of all our colonies was per- insisted upon, there might be discovered rther featly free at the outset ; while free, their progress things which require to be set right on the part of in prosperity was uninterrupted, "To clip the the Chinese. wings of the Dutch," as Blackstone has it, who Liberty to our merchants in and about Canton, monopolized the carrying trade of the world, Crom and the same access to the city as has been obtain well passed the Navigation Laws, aud instantly ad at other consular poris, form one ground of the principle of restriction was applied to the colo quarrel for although entrance into the city of nies their prosperity declined. Subsequently colo Shanghai was acquired by a fourd adresse, execut- mial prosperity revived; but what is true of theed by the British consul; yet, having been admit mother-countra is also true of the colonies-their icd by the Chinese authorities, it becomes a pre- progress has been in
spite of, and notwithstanding, cedent which a skilful plenipotentiary would not our economical policy. And even now, when much give up It strikes us, that, there is another ground of that policy bus been relaxed, we still limit the ad of quarrel in the circumstance of the Chinese go vancement of the colonies for the sake, as it is as- sers ment affixing a custom houschop on English goods, by which they are subjected to a heavy transit duży, when taken into the interior. This may be no siulation of the letter of the treaty, but it certainly is a contravention of its spirit; and more than that, it is expressly repugnant to the seventh article of the treaty with France; which stipulata that-- French goods, having jaid the duty at one of the Five Forts, eccording to the Tarifl, may be conveyed to the interior by Chinese merchants, who shall pay transit dalies agreally to the existing regulations, without being subject 10.3 Carter Golesz therefore, England is not to be placed upon a footing with the most favored matious, the lexy of an additional duty, by meres of an importation chop, is a just subject for com plant, requiring an ausdent of the treaty of Pekin. With regard to the Friend's ebay raise that, the in, onance of Hongkong as a fine parti inaced to thing, In the tailingness of the Chistes aniberties to grand 180 decemy po as laid down in the thistentl eles of the Eopplementar grunni was entered into expre
sumed, of our shipping. No give to the colonies free trade with the rest of the world, and they will progress quite as much under it as the mother coun-
try. Protection is their bane.
If, then, there be every reason to preserve and extend, instead, of to maandon the colonies, the duty of governing them well is thereby increased Nor ought good government to be restricted because it muy end in separation; for, firstly, bad govern ment is as experitaco testifes, the radiest road to separation; and, secondly, every people, hustvor situated, have an iuolunable right to be well, verned. We neither can for ought to hope for the perpetual depcidence of our colonies. Lo lonization is the art of creating new nalinna. Se paration, peaceable and ready, is therefore, it legitimate terminatia; and the souber wccan place our colonies in a position to bsccune independent states the more successful eball we be in this art. Nor ought we by separation to diminish the aum- ber of our colonies; but rather, in expectation of separation, to be continuously forming new settle nents, in their turn to be thrown off in like manner. The sice of the present colonial systzen in that we govern our colonies for the so pumpoos, ap. parently, of preserving their dependence. Whereas
of suppruting pitary all illegat : grant pastre, further than required
se, are so many lations of the
the time princips is, we repeat, so to govern tham gith priva Karzenceta weg leth, al as to hasten their indepa
Canada de fered I ground of countin; and were sy
-
|
The suns expended on the military and convict establishments, whether objectionable or not are at present actually spent on the island, and it is better that they should be thus expended in it tima abs- tracted from it.
COMMEROLAL I TELLIGENCE. SHANGHAI, 1845. IMPORTS
Per BINTANG, Br. Barque, from Hongkong, arrived. 12th September 18.5. Fox kawoon, & Co. 22,090 pieces Grey Shirtings
7,367
White 688
Dyad
408
*
"}
20
Domestice
#
Twilla
92
17
Cotton Woollon Stuff's
00
41
75
Coltons (unenumerald) Velvets
7,691 changs Spanish Stripes
811:
Coarse Woollens
18 places
129
pairs Blankets
450 piculs Iron
*7
$
Cases
Hardware
1
Lace
*
Leather Sking
29
Furu
5
19
Musters Furs
400 dozens Wine
40
Beer " Io pieces Camlets
Per PASSENGER, Br. Burque, from Hongkong, arrived 14th September 1845.
[J. D. Gibb. 18,430 pieces Grey Shirtinga
Α
6,010
1!
2,897
180
F
White do.
Maddapollams
Chintzes
Medium Cloths
140
Du ch Comlots 400 single Blankets 200 pieces Jeans 420 2,400 N
703 AT099
It double
11
134 piculs
C088
American Drills
Shirtings
H
Buttons
and Laingle barrelled Gune Buttons
Manufactured Iron Ware Personal Stores
10 pkus quantity of Building Materials -
Per CARIB, Br. Barque, from florgkong arrived 14th September, 1845.
(Dont, Beals, 56 CO J Grey Shirtings.
13.11 places
13,044
847
200
100
976
دو
White do.
Coloured do.
White Tills Camleta Velvetcous
3 boxca Paper Private use
A quantity of Building Materiais Per ANTARES, Brit, Brigantine, from Hongkong,
3,150 places Grey Shirungs 7.704
White "du. A quantity of Supon Wock, and Spirita,
Per PANDORA, Br. Barque, from - Hongkong, arrived
September, 18:15.
lolliday, Wine, & Co.
2nd
Should the controlling Government at some fu are period determine to act towards this important colony upon just and liberal principles, it will in- mediately become matter of enquity, whether the expense of the Convicts, winch the island receives from the jails of the three Presidencies, ought, in- justice to be imposed upon its limited income. The total number of convicts was 1384, and the expense incurred on their account, after deducting the sua received for their hire from the Assessinent funds, amounted to more than Half a Lack of Rupees. it these convicts are employed exclusively in con structing and repairing roads and in the public veluth September, 1865. fa Calder works on the island, and it the tasks they recomp. lish coukl not be completed at a cheaper rate by other instrumentality, there is little reason for complaint. But if their time is not thus devoted to public improveulents, it is unjust to sadilo the Co- only with any portion of the Police expenditure of British Indis. There can be no more reason for making the island of singapore pay the expenses of the great rouges who are sent to it for the benefit of this country-they leave Indis for India's good-September, 1914, than to charge is with the expense of the smaller rogues who ure retained in the jails. Both Rems of expenditure should equally be borne by the esta bishments of this country.⠀⠀ In that case there Bould be a considerable surplus revenue, which might be derated with the greatest advantage to the reduction of judicial for and the cost of justice, and to the construction of rats and bridges, and this would tend to the increase of caferation, and 19 aduce the general prosperity of the saland.
But there is another Bem of expenditure BOW charged to the account of the island what is, if posible, still may objectionable. We stick to the coat of the Maguette Observatory, and the Pay cod sut slowances of Lew: Elise in elpurge of
Grey Shirtings
**
"White du
48,563 pieces ~~2,700 $40
1 pages
bale.
3 pkges.
Woulung, 3.0.2 change
Furniture
Marbie Tulon, for bouse building Yermonal stores.
Par MAJA. Br. Barque," from Liverpool, errived 14th
[Holiday, Wise, & Cof 354a1 pinces Grey Shirting
4.653
White do
20
biles said to contain. Groy Shirtings
bus particulars not known,
90 plants Cotton Twint
piesen Broad Clair Spicula boap
80 gallons Fame Oil.
Per ALBION, Awedish ring, from Hongkong, arrided Waluste, Baws, de Co.f Sepembes, Erki
18,612 peren White Startings. 17,544 Grey dir
univel Buxos, valor 600 m
1 pirals Bandat Wod
Biopham Fathe
37 pagua. Burmaturen.
EXORTS
it, which is imposed on the resources of sugender 15
textest of 11.365 its a year. in Englaad ja kas bales Passeported Efemy
Walento Baux, & Co.) F CLARENDOX, Am Shup, he Manila, sailed 1hh
maltese
the interests of screer. Way
PALICE BROOKS, Br, kargis, he Liverpul, andlæk Halliday Wim & Co)
got on i. si bur aspcharge, instead of buy - Phat Bromatic, ha
se of poble spiest at the cost of her pour
Does a not appear man and despicatule
đá ng the tere lnnual revenues of a fræ pors,