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[[From the China Mail, March 5.) No. 9,
Diplomatic Department, GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
His Excellency Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China, &c., &c., is pleased to direct that the annexed Copy of a Dispatch from Mr Vice-Consul Sullivan, reporting that the Proclamation of His Excellency the Imperial Commissioner on the sub ject of equal toleration to Protestants and Papists had been duly promulgated at Amoy, be published for general information,
The Proclamation in question has also bean pa- blished at the other four Parts of Trade.
By Order, A. R. JOHNSTON. Victoria, Hongkong, 28th February 1846.
No 12. British Consulate, Amoy, 14th Feb. 1818. SIR,--The Proclamation of His Excellency Key- ing on the subject of equal toleration to be extended to both Protestants and Papists had been received by the Tavutae some days before Your Excellen cy's Despatch, No. 101 of the 26th December, 1845, came to hand, and was forthwith promulgated by the Local Authorities in all the most public places of the City and Suburbs
My instructions seemed to demand that I should acknowledge the promptitude displayed on this occasion, which I took care to do in a conversation held yesterday with the Intendant,
I have, &c. (Sigued) G. G. SULLIVAN, His Excellency,
S
A Vice-Consul. Sir JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS, Bart.
True Copy,
A. R. JONHSTON
NOTIFICATION. Notice is hereby given, that after the 15th of the present month, the Police will be instructed to put in force the 4th Section of Ordinance No. 1 of 1815, which empowers them to destroy all Dogs straying without a Collar,
By order,
W. CAINE, Chief Magistrate of Police. Chief Magistrate's Office, Victoria 3d March 1846.
NOTICE.
New advertisements, will be received, until 4 Clock, on the evenings previous to publi- ention, viz: Tuesdays and Fridays.
LATEST DATES.
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24
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Feby. 26 Shanghai Jany: 13 28 Dec
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Madras Sydney
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. VICTORIA, SATURDAY, MARCH 7rn. 1816. From the inclemency of the weather the races have been postponed. After the course is in a fiting condition, another day will be fixed, of which due intimation will be given.
We have received a long letter from an anony- mots Correspondent commenting upon a recent re- gulation, which compels the police to satute the subject, but we really think it is a matter of very military. Our correspondent writes bitterly on the little importance who the police salute, or who they do not not salute. Such acts of artificial re spect may be pleasing to the vanity of the Gentle men who appear to be playing at the game of go verning a colony, somewhat after the fashion that children amuse themselves by playing at Soldiers and other harmless sports, and we would be rejoic ed that they confined themselves to similar in. oxinus measures-in truth, it would be a happy deliverance, were the Major General to take the Eu ropean police to himself and incorporate them with the 18th or 98th-we are certain that the colony would not suffer, and the army would be strengthened.
We think it was at Norwich, some years ago, where a Colonel Vandeleur-we are not quite cer
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
foreign shipping entering either the port of Ma- raised upon the island, all of which is admitted laid upon our incipient trade-the chief arti- cao or Hongkong, merely do so to receive or at much lower duties than foreign produce of cles were farmed out to Monopolists, and, as was predicted, the trifling share of commerce ders, or at the most to land a small portion of the same descriptions. In Sugar alone, Jamaica their cargo: harbour
of
f any description exports to Great Britain 30,000 tons annually, that the colony possessed has been driven from are thus impolitic, as the inducements to enter upon which she is protected from foreign comit. In the meantime, Merchants are saddled are so small, that most ships will prefer pro-petition by a differential duty of £10, 5s, per with costly houses and stores; and they have to support establishments whicly give them coeding to Whampoa direct. In the case of ion. Jamaica, therefore, cannot complain at
no return. How far Lord Stanley is to blame is ships bound outward from the Canton river, being required to bear the burden of the civil the fact of harbour dues being charged on their establishment, and this the more especially that unknown, as none of he despatches to the Gover- nor have been made public, neither have His anchoring in Macao roads, would, in nearly all the people, by their representatives, tax thei- cases, deter them from doing so. One of the selves and disburse the revenue raised. Ca Excellency's despatches to Lord Stanley been advantages which the foreign Merchant would nada exports annually to Great Britain up- published. Suppose the Merchants had refus- derive from an establishment in Macao w uld wards of a million sterling in produce, the ed to build, until they knew the tenure by be the facilities afforded for receiving and des. whole of which is protected by a large diffe which they could obtain land, the civil expen- patching ships, correspondence &c., and the rential duty. She also taxes herself, and con- diture would have been precisely what it now levying of harbour dues, shows a want of fore trols her own civil establishment and munici is the British government being required to sight on the part of the Portuguese Authorities, pal institutions--Neither can Canada re-bear all the burden, and government would asonably complain. These remarks apply to have done it knowing the importance of the as they thus frustrate their own intention.
In our opinion the Government of Portugal all the West India and North American colo Island, not as an agricultural. Colony, nor yet would have acted with greater wisdom, had they
as a commercial Colony, but simply as a Naval abolished the Custom house entirely, and
Station. thrown the port open without levying duties or dues of any description. Duties, anchorage, wharfage, and bonding stores, are all incongrui. ties at a port which is declared free. We are satisfied that the mere existence of a MACAO cus- tom house, will in itself be an insuperable. objection to many foreign Merchants, who may feel inclined to have a residence there. The Portuguese Authorities have only been half liberal. All the duties they can possibly raise upon the articles referred to, imported for re-export, or for consumption at 20 per cent, will not pay the expenses of a Custom house establishment.
We point out the objectionable parts of the Decree as they occur to us on a first perusal. We are aware, however, that Macao possesses advantages which Hongkong does not this should be clearly understood. She has still a considerable trade with the Chinese, in Straits produce, and in Opium. Our penny wise and pound foolish Executive have been successful in their endeavours to drive away the trade we once had in these articles (on a recent occasion a native vessel arrived with a cargo of Betel, and after the Consignees, through their Com pradore, had made every exertion they found they could not sell ten pieuls of the cargo) and the consequences have been most disastrous for the colony.
Hongkong and Macau are to a certain extent rivals each has its own pecu liar advantages. The Decree from Lisbon is a good move, though it might have been better -it certainly does militate against this place- whether our Government will take an example from Macao and abolish their darling licencesre mains to be seen-like Saturn let hem devour their own offspring.
SHANGHAI
The Cart brings dates 10 the 26th Ultimo. In consequence of the failure of the principal Native merchant, and the excitement among the Dealers and Teamen the market continued inactive.
Alum when he become bankrupt, had a large quantity of gods belonging to foreign also teas purchased by foreign Merchants, which Merchants stored in his packhouse; he had had been weighed and settled for ready for shipment. After Alum's bankruptcy the Chinese creditors endeavoured to seize these goods.
Captain. Balfour called in four British Mer. chants to aid him with their advice as to the best steps to be adopted for the protection of their interest in the critical state of affairs, It was expected that the Taou-tae would issue an order on the 27th for the delivery of all goods to which any claim could be established. No mention is made of the teas, but we would say that if they had been purchased and weigh ed, although not removed from the packhouse, they were in much the same position as the goods stored with the bankrupt, as it is usual in China, after teas are purchased. to leave them in the packhouse until they are removed to the ship.
tain of the name, but he was Colonel of a regiment of Cavalry-gave a policeman in charge for not saluting him. The sitting Magistrate informed the gallant Colonel, that there was no regulation by which the police were required to salute the Mili tary, but that if be-Colonel Vandeleur-would
Alum has in the meantime disappeared, and order his Dragoona to salute the Magistrates, the
a report been spread that he has destroyed Magistrates would order the police to salute Colonel
himself. This is probably a mere blind,intend Vandeleur and his Officers. This is a case in pointed to prevent any strict search after him, and
but Hongkong is not Norwich. We should like to hear Mr. May's sentiments upon this subject.
We publish the translation of a Notification from His Excellency the Governor of Macao, and a Decree from the Court of Lisbon, to which it refers, by which Macao is declared a free port to the ships of all nations.
nies; they are alike protected by the Mother country, who in return only asks that her ma nufactures be admitted on more favorable Great Britain has colonized the Falkland terms than those of foreign countries, but all islands for the general benefit of her commer- the duties raised by the Customs, are paid into cial shipping, and as a rendezvous for her Navy the colonial Exchequer, and go towards de-in time of war. Had she sent to the Falklands fraying the expences of the colonial government. the civil establishment we have in Hongkong, Lord Stanley erred in supposing that all the and demanded that the few inhabitants be tax- colonies were in the same position as those to ed to pay their salaries, it would have been which we have referred, and that they could said that she acted unjustly, though not more raise revenue by the duties upon articles of unjustly it an she has behaved to the Colonists consumption, or by assessments, the amount here. It is true that the population of the one of which would be returned to them by Colony are poor, those of the other rich, but the preference given to their produce at riches cannot be made an apology for unjust houne. The Colonists of the West Indies treatment. The Merchants resident in Hong- have their sugar and coffee plantations in full kong did not make their wealth in the Colony operation: those of Canada have their grain farms, or they have forests to cut down, and a sure market is ready for their shipments where competition can only be at a great disadvantage to the foreign Competitor. Cuba is almost in sight of Jamaica, but the planter of Cuba gets 10s 3d a ewt less for his Sugar in London or Liverpool than his neighbour of Jamaica. Can ada is bounded by the United States, but the farmer of Canada gets a shilling a bushel inore for his wheat when exported to Great Britain than his neighbour in the States. Such Is the condition of old produce raising Colonies, but we look to others of recent formation and we at once see how unjust it is to carry out the general rule, that Colonies pay their own expenses, and how rutinous the attempt has been to the Colonists, and how discreditable to the Colonial Office.
Van Dieman's Land was colonized as a penal settlement, and to it, with the exception of a few to Norfolk island, are transported all the felons of the United Kingdom, besides sone from India, and latterly a few from Hongkong, In consequence of the depraved nature of a great bulk of the population, au extensive and costly police establishment has become ne Cessary. It would have been reasonable to expect that Great Britam would pay part of the expenses; she throws thousands of the worst of her population upon the shores of the colony every year, and in justice she ought to graut the Colonists some reltof Lord Stanley could not perceive unis, and the police expenses and the other sea port and inland towel are forced upon the people of Hobart Town this case is not subad as others as-Van Diemen's Land exports to the Mother country produce to the amount of upwards of a million sterling annually, which receives the usual protection afforded to Colonial produce, New Zealand is a stronger case. There,revenue was attempted to be raised before the Colonists had cleared the ground and raised their first crop. People who had given their all for land, were taxed to sup. port the government before their land gave any return. The consequence was the ruin of thousands, who were induced to settle the by favorable prospects held out by parties at home, acting under the sanction of Lord John Russell, then Secretary for the Colonics. Lord Stanley entered upon office while the colony was in its infancy, and most unfortunately he attempted to carry out the rule of colonies paying their own expenses while the Colonists were unporting the common necessaries of life. It is mainly to this premature taxation that is to be ascribed the unhappy condition of New Zealand, There is no doubt that had she been granted a few years to develope her resources, she would have been in a flourishing state, and could have taken upon her the burden of a moderate civil establishment without cramping her energies.
|
they are heavily burdened for land rent. and it is preposterous to demand that they support an establishment which, in point of fact the island' does not require, or if it did require, ought to be defrayed by those who are benefitted by it that is, by the government of Great Britain, and the manufacturing and commercial inte- rests generally.
Lord Stanley's successor will have many complaints to attend to on entering upon office. Not merely the usual colonial grumblings, but serious grievances. We doubt pot, but that from his well known habits of application, liberal views, and extensive knowledge of commercial and colonial affairs, he will introduce a new systern at the Colonial Office, and many of the Colonial grievances will be remedied. He will find among other documents requiring his at- tention, the memorial from the Merchants and Landholders of this Colony to his predecessor. We were never sanguine as to its success with Lord Stanley, but we certainly think that it will be favorably received by Mr Gladstone.
On Saturday last the Consul of the United States paid a visit to Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane on board the Agincourt, and was received with a salute of seven guns, the American colours being hoisted at the fore-(Chind Mail.)
DECLARATION OF THE VILLAGERS AGAINST FOREIGNERS.
Be it known that there are foreigners frequently roving about in the seventeen villages that belong are so hold as to come and injure our villagers First, they insult our women, secondly they abuso to Sau-shui Hall, and creating disturbances. They
our children, and worst of all they fire their fowl- ing pieces, and if any accident should happen, are not our lives in danger? If we see any of the Fan- quis come to our villages, we ought unanimously and deliberately to prepare ourselves, and if they again dare to insult us, we will kill them, and ca-t them into the river. If they all come out at suce to attack our villages, then the people of all parts of the district of Pain in will rise, and kill the devils, and burn up their factories, so as to leave them ao residences. We make this known to all the as- a day to meet at Mingling Hall to consult about semblies of the different Halls, that we may appoint
this matter.
The assembly of the seventeen villages of the Son-shui Hall make this written declaration.
24 month, 2d day, (27th Feb.)~~(China Mail.}
SHIPPING IN FELLIGENJE,
ARRIVALS.
Mauch,
4. Mor. Alsten, Cursingmoon. 4, Pearl, Smardon, Cumзingmoon.
4. H M. S. Dadalus, Captain McQubao, Sea. 4, H. M. S. Vestal, Captain Talbot, Sea.
4, Humayoon, Cameron, London 14th October, 5, Fibberty. Grierson, Whampoa
5, Greyhound, Hutchinson, Whampoa,
5, Corsair (steato), Soames, Canton. 5, Good Success, Cowie, Whampoa,
PASSENGERS.
Maxen,
SAILED.
3, Zoe, Parker, Whampoa.
to save his family, who according to the laws of China, are held responsible for his debts.
The bankrupt's liabilities are g1,400,000. In the Hong are $800,000 of goods, and about the same amount of teas, upon which different parties have caims. The Hong also holds 350,000 pieces of Hongkong, crowns Lord Stanley's misinana. shirting, pawned to the Bankers" It is thought that gement-though with reference to this place,we the Taou-tae will compel the Bankers to advance believe that his Lordship was misinformed by
Pet Humayoon-F. Parish, Esq, and W. S. Me, the loan to the amount of 62,50, per piece, which the late, as well as by the present Government, redith, Esq Touched at Copang 18th January, lef It will be observed on looking over the De
will prevent such a large supply being thrown mo cree that it does not make Macao a free port
the market at greatly depreciated prices. The two colonies to which we last referred, the 19th according to the usual interpretation of the The Mary Ann Webb, Matildu, and Annie had promise, or promised, to be great agricultural phrase. There are various articles enumerat-
all sailed for England. The Emeralda was the countries, and as outlets for the superabundant population of the United Kingdom they be ed of Portuguese manufacture, as well as In-
came of importance. Hongkong was colonized dian and Portuguese produce, which can only only arrival.
from totally different motives. Great Britain be introduced by foreign ships on paying an ad valorem duty of 20 per cent, Among the
required a naval station on the coast of China, enumerated articles are Betel and Sandalwood,
alike for the protection of her own revenue which would be unfavorable to the foreign
and of the manufacturing and commercial in- Merchants resident at the port, as both these
teress of the clantry. She obtained Houg items would be of some importance in the
bung, an island having no resources within it- commerce of Macao. It is true that by paying
self, neither agricultural nor commercial. Her an ad valorem duty of one per cent, the produce
representative in China, allured a large portion and manufactures referred to, may be bondel |
of the British merchants to build warehouses and dwelling houses in the coluay by hopes for re-exportation; but this would entail a heavy expense for warehouse rent and other England receives no tribute from her colo- which have not been realized. But we pass charges, and it would subject the Importor to | nies direct or indirect, and she therclose ex-over the grievances of the land question. Under all the annoyances of a Custom house, the expects that they bear the burden of their own the government of Sir Henry Pottinger, trads tent of which are best understood by the foreign civil establishments, the military expenses was springing up, and though it was not strong Merchants who formerly resided at Macao, being paid by the British government. As a por firmly rooted, still under judiemus mana-
Anchorage, or harbour dues, is another re-
general rule this appears fair, but like all other gement, it was capable of being raised to some striction placed on shipping visiting Macao, rules it has its exceptions. If we look at Ja extent. Sir Henry's successor arrives, and We are told that the table aboutto be esta-
maica, we see an old and wealthy Colony, in a with hire an expense civil establishment- | blished will be on a moderate scale, and most high state of cultivation, with an annual esport expensive for sach a colony-a new system probably it will. The greater portion of the 1 to the mother country of £1,000,000 of produce was immediately introduced Burdens were
The intimation of Lord Stanley's resigna tion of office will be received lavorably in the Colomies. His Lordship though, great as a parliamentary debater, and probably intima tely acquainted with the state of Great Britain, and the policy which controls her diplomatic negotiations with other countries, has given a bustant proofs of his unfitness for the office be recently held.
4, H. M. S. Hotard, Egerton, Bomeo. 5. Mischief, White, Whampoa. 5, Syed Khan, Smart, Fast Coast. 5, Su (Span). Espejo, Manila. 5, Regina, Quinton, Whampoa. 5. Privateer, Martell, Cursingmoon. 5, Pearl, Smardon, Camsingmoon. 6, Narcizo (8p), Gordomillo, Amoy.
REPORTS, tireyhound, Hutchinson. Lendon. Good Success, owie. Bombay. Ze, Parker, Bombay, Fliberty, Grierson, Cape of Good Hope. Chatham, Libery, Whampoa
SHIPPING NEWS.
The Schanner Emma, Capt. Fraser, hence to the East count with a carge of cotton goals, was totally wrecked on the night of 27th February in Namoa Straits. The vessel went to pieces, and not an- article could be saved. Five of the crew-four