THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZET TE.
FINDING The Court having maturely crudej
their dotermination not to submit to the opening off the city. Whether this expression of feeling azi- the evidence adduced in support of the presenti ses from the unprompted malignity of the turbu together with the prisoner having depied to c lent and vicious canaille within the city, or when any defence, is of option that the prisoner f the first charge Guilty, Of the second thrige Gust,. ther it be the effect of secret official influence,
SENTENCE-The Court having found the parser under the countenance of the Court of Pekin, it is guilty of both the charges preferred againat bat hart difficult to determine; but, whatever be the main being in breach of the Articles of War, de spring, there appears to us but one remedy, viz, the tance him, the prisoner, Clerk of Works Rowland ters most uncompromising firmnes on the part of the civil officer employed in the Royal Enger Depart British Plenipotentiary. The question raight, we went, under the Ordnance is Hongkong, to be d think, be brought to issue somewhat in the follow miased from all employment in Her Majesty' Se
(Signed) Tuos, Scary Brignoles, Lieat-Col
18th Regt. and President
CCANO.
Pia wa
being too barassing for a tropical climate. Instead of the constant inspections and fair-dress reviews thus described, we find that the General has beau in the habit of visiting the private parades of the at Sep corps under his command once a week in the hot weather, and Looking at the men. Also, that in the teresting cold weather he has usually seen the troops ander werejoice armu once or twice a week on the general pamde ang was much ground, limiting his inspection of diem to one hour, during the same In the hot season the men invariably parade in the occupation of white jackets, and the only approach to fall dress 18th Royal Irish in the cold season has been their occasionally wearing manner :-- usan had amounted, wo ing their chaeces. Next to eschewing error alto-
The Chinese nation is bound by the franty to
Victoria, Hongkong, 31st Oct, 1845. ore than one third of the gether (a state of perfection to which no journalist grant the free admission required. The present
Approved and confirmed, and the name of Me Raw. The 953b during the cor can hope to attam), we conceive to be the propris refusal involves, therefore, a breach of the treaty; of last year and the imprar ty of candidly correcting any misstatements that yet the British authorities, in consideration of the land Rees to be struck off the list of the cavs
more obvious by carrying may unfortunately gain admittance to our columns; good faith manifested in other respecta by the Chi-of the Ordinance Department from this date fi a the year 1843, when the and we have really heard so much, from the most nese Government, have no wish to take advantage which his pay and allowances us Clerk of Work wi
the 55th Regimentamount authentic sources, of General D'Aguilar's const. of the infringement; but should the farms not be
{Signed) Grones D'Aleutian, Maj -Gren We are also happy to hear that deration and anxiety for the health of the troops fully completed within six mouths (from some gi-
Commanding the Forces in Ch Regiment has benefited surprisingly by its under his command, as well as his unremitting and sen date), they will consider the island of Chusan
KEMARKS BY THE MAJOR GENERAL COMMENDIES removal to Chusan. Twelve months ago it was judicious endeavours to ameliorate their condition a British passession. Such a tone will alone suc-
-Having approved and confirmed the sentence of the Cour nothing short of its return to Europe in the trying climate of Hongkong, that we cannot ceed with the Chinese, on whom the fortiter is a virtue of the powers vested in by the could restore the efficiency of this once fine corps, but regret that any insinuations from correpondents much more likely to prove efficacious than the root, the Major-General Commanding desires to make de
glad to find that there is now every pros- tending to convey impressions of a contrary cha-aurreiter, as all our previous intercourse with them following observation-
lle has seldom, in the course of his service, wern era fect of the health of the Regiment being perfectly racter should have found a place in this journal. fully manifeste, We are not of those who advocate
that earls more immediately for an example.
Every metal Je-established before the end of the prosent year. Perhaps a groutor proof could not be adduced of the retention of Chusan under any circumstances;
was adopted, both personally by the Major-Geet, GIS and we doubt not bul that, under the personal su the peculiarly bonefal effects of the Chinese san ou the contrary, we have on various occasions writing, to bring Air Restos sense of his error, dit pervision of Colonel Campbell, who command at than is discoruible in this practice of the natives of condemned that ides as being one fraught with press upon bim inevitable consequences that would the Chusan, It will soon regain its pristine state of high | the country. In most other tropical climates the dishonour, and, consequently, unworthy of the
Fora a perseverance in bis insubordinate conduct. He wa order and discipline,
lower order of inhabitants frequently go bare-head. British nation. But should the Emperor of China disctly informed by the Major-General that as gre vance, either real or imaginary, ander which tabolized, ed; in Chian the commonest cooly generally car. persist in net fulfilling that part of the realy which should be immediately inquired ato, provided he crust. ries a chattab (umbrella), and never ventures in the relates to Canton, as well as the cities of the other forward in a temperate and respecull manner sun with less covering on his head than a thick ports open to our trade, we think the British Go-cautioned more particularly galus the use of all intes broad-brimmed hamboo or leaf hat The field lavernment have no alternative but to retain Chudinal language. He was farnished with a copy of the Mo bourer, during the way hot months, invariably san
Indeed, its possession would be then absolu- he was enable, distinctly pointed out to him nearly three tiny Act and Articies of War, and the clause under wint holds the plough with his chattah in one hand; in tely necessary for the maintenance of our influence weeks before his trial. He was allowed, on two separate fact, every circumstance connected with the habits and national respect; for nothing short of a change esasions (out of consideration for his wife and family and customs of the natives tends to warn Europeans in the tone of feeling at Canton could render it siderations which in strictess are not permitted in enter into Military proceedings) an opportunity to wudran the to avoid the sun's rays. We have dwelt upon this prudent to relinquish or hold of the vital point offensive letters, and express his contrition for them, together subject as being one tally concerning the health of the Chinese empire, the occupation of which with his readiness in future to obey orders. All, however. and safety of our gallant seamen and soldiers. continually reminds the Emperor of the proixmity of was of no avail.
a foreign Miliary post to the Zang-te-keang.
Mr. Rees, prompted anhappily by the worst advice, per. Considering the exclusive and jealous spirit which inaciously persevered in insubordinate language to his Colt still governs, and must long govern, Chinese Coun- the Major General's ordera. The result was inevitable. On manding Officer, and lastly, distinctly refused obedience to cls, we cannot imagine that the Imperial choice being brought before the ours, Mr Rees reineed to plet can long waver between the alternatives of regain or to acknowledge any Military jurisdiction independent ing possession of Chusan by completely fulfilling the Master-General of the Ordnance, and that toe in the fac
of the thirty-second clause of the Mutiny Act, and the 14t the treaty, or of losing that valuable island by per- Article of War. tinacio sly fostering the national prejudices with on the minutes, that the civil members of the Ordusuce D He did more he stated, as is to be sec regard to Canton. Consequently, we think the partment entertained the sque views; and that the Com determined line of conduct which Sir John Davis might, if it thought proper, receive evidence of the far from is supposed to be pursuing will have the effect of themselves. The Court very properly declined entering adjusting all existing difficuues. Prior to the ap-
open such evidence but the Atejor-General capot ser such pearance of the placards above alluded to, a few tion of which it was ausceptible on the spot) without putting a tender openly made (and that too without the comadic- papers of an opposite tendency were posted about the civil officers and all obers, members of the Ordi the gates, the object of which was evidently to call Department, on their guard, how they venture to carry such the British authorities into the surrender of Chuany dereliance of duty under the shelter of such opinions, a principle into practice. they count upon immunity for Our attention is again been drawn to the ex- saa; but, although the lattor documente most likely they will be egregiusly disappointed; for while the Maj traordinary circumstance of the Masters and Mates emanated from the Mandarins, they bore no signa General desires to exercise his command with the tast of the private stump-ressels employed in the conture or seal to give them an official character. consideration to all around him, he will never for an instant veyance of the trails, assuming a uniform closely The more recent placards are, as we have already compromise the claims of discipline, or remit one ioia of the resembling that of Captains and other officers of said, the act of the populare, either secretly ins
powers entrusted to him by the Queen's outhority. Her Majesty's Navy. So highly objectionable tigated by the Imperial Government, or strong in system has, we ham, justly brought upon us the their hatred to the English, and in their contempt ridicule of the officers of the ships of war of France for their local rulers but, March 7, and America, and the natural indignation of those of our own Navy.
For several years past the 18th Regiment have scarcely ever been united beyond a few months at nime and therefore it appeared hard upon that corps, after its toog and severe service on some of the most unhealthy parts of the coast of Chips, to ha again broken into detachments for the occupa tion of Hongkong. But the condition of the 8th Regiment necessarily overruled every other consi- deration, and what was merely a prima facic hard- ship upon the 18th, has proved the salvation of the olher corps.
The remnom of the 4th Madras Native Infantry We much regret to learn that no permanent Na- having likewise been relieved by the 42nd from
ral atores have yet been erected at Hongkong. Madras, General D'Aguilar appears to be exerting Public property, to the extent of nearly half a every effort to preserve the efficiency of his new lion sterling, is, we understand, still exposed to the Garrison, and to the General's unremitting ende-coutingencies of typhoon, in temporary buildings, avours must be nsribed in a high degree the pre-which, in the event of such a visitation, nust seat comparative exemption from sickness enjoyed evitably be swept into the sea We have already by the St. This leads us to correct some rois- strongly advocated the construction af docks at statements with respect to the Geueral's arrange-Hongkong, where cor men.ofwar and merchant ments and mode of carying on duty, which appear-ships night in every respect refil
At present a ed in aur journal of the 14th of June last, in the commaication of a correspondent. On reverting to this letter, and perusing it with the light of more authentic information, we candidly adim text it ovinces in many passages a spirit of censoriousnLÉS which the unflagging zeal, kindheartedness, and ac "knowledged ability of the gallmet General should
hove led us to reccivo cum grano salis.
The correspondent in question, after describing the old hospital at Victoria as a building totally un- fit for the troops, continued as followsAlthough This hospital was reported on in the ablest manner possible, and a sanatory, commodious, and conve nient buildings, pointed out (so late back as Septem ber last), yet, what with private interests (to be con sidered), and delays in trying to hire other houses, and every difficulty thrown in the way, it was of last decided that the house at present occupied us such, was the only suitable and adaptable spot (or a lemporary hospital. Who authorised the delay, I know not; but had the reports of the enginer and the surgeons of highest influence been attend. ed to, and their advice taken in the first instance, many a valuable soldier would have been spared in his friends and country, and many hundreds of pounds (consequent on their demise) been saved to Her Majesty's Government. The voice of bama- nity and common justice has at length prevailed over private interests, and the soldier is in com-
fortable wards"
In refutation of the foregoing passage we consi der it bal just to mention that General D'Aguilar was so fully end sensitively alive to the unfitness of the old hospital that he not only commenced build- ing a new one, on his own responsibility, withou waiting for the sanction of the Lords of the Trea sury, but actually ordered a commitice of medical officers to examine and report upou every boute, in cluding his own, over which he had any Military control, and to select any one which they might deem best adapted for an hospital, until the perma ment buildings in course of erection were com- pleted.
large vessel can receive but very partial repairs in Chion, a state of things which cannot be too soon relied, especially when we regard the facilities afforded.- Naval & Mildary Gazelle, Nov. 21.
Mr Rees himself, it appears, refused to acknow- edge his amenability to Military Law, and, taking his stand upon this opinion, declined to plead to the charges preferred against him.
made by Mr Rees for disobedience of orders, is, that i The Major General has observed that one of the accums being directed to proceed to Stanley, he was ordered to an
healthy station, and exposed to the occnpation of u quaner that had proved proverbially fatal. Now, wuhont adting rary suburity to select the spot for the performanes of bus for a moment the right of any person employed under Mi Anties, the Majz-Ganara west to binself to say this was But the cass. in the first plece, at the present season at the year Stanley is well known to be any thing but unhealthy; and in the second, express arrangements had been made for man occupied by a married capta of a regime at it this giving Mr Resa a very good goster, being one a thug m exinmand. Cag
The Major-General has gone into these particulars, b * { am a civilian," says Mr Rees, in an address to
cause it is with deep regret he puts his approval to a sens the Court, which he subsequently publiated, "employers any person in My Rees from situation further employ. tence (however jusly and unperatively awarded that dis
We observe a good deal of discussion in the We are informed that Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Hongkong newspapers relative to the legality of Cochrane has very properly represented to the Ad-trying a Clerk of Works (Mr Rowland Rees) by & muraky the serous inconvenience arising from this General Court-martial. assumption of the unaform of Brist Navul off- cers, especially when is worn by there civilians amongst fattigters; we therefore since ly hope that means will at once be taken to put an end to this highly censurable pracuse, and the if it be thought right to allow the officers of the mail stromprostis to wear sotie kind of un'orm, that it may be of super juice, and thus who, unlike that of the efficers of the Royal Navy, and above all, that they be never offered to wear either epau
fe porod is not fat listant, we singulaty trust and Beirere, when the whole of the moths wad be carried by steanesh.py belonging 4. Her Magody's Service, - Ibid, Mirek T.
Jettes ur sw s
41 A
Juan who holds neither Commission por War rant, who wears no uniform, who does not carry arms,
whose wife and family, in the event of his demise. draw no pension, le to all intents a citizen, and is not
enable to Military law.*
the exercise of his powers should be combined on every oc casion with a sense of what is due to hemanity as well as justice.
ment in the Queen's service, and because he is anxious that
mitted these proceedings to the consideration of Superior Under ordinary circumstances i would gladly have sub- Authority, but the Major General is of opinion, that he has o right to shrink from the performance of a painful duty where Discipline has been so openly violated, and where the interests of the service demand from him an inmediate ex- By order of the Honorable the Major-General Cammanding.
J. BRUCE, Captain, Assistant Adjutant-General.
under a Military officer it is true, but only under his control with respect to the performanco of my dates, and should he be dissatisfied with my execution suspend me, and refer the subject to the Master-Gene- of these, if be pleases to take the responsibility, he can ral of the Ordnance. who alone has authority to remove me from the post or office to which he has appointed me, or should the Commanding Engineer be disinclin. ed to incur this responsibility, the case might have been referred to the respective officers, who only are the The aspect of affurs to China led us to expect representatives of the Board of Orduance lo this place." ple that we shoul! have heard by the Best wall of To-have adopted Mr Ree's view of the question, The Editor of the Friend of China, who seems rangements being in progress for the evacuation of Churan However, notwithstanding the friend-ves it as his opinion that
visit of Keying, and the last instalment of the indenuity money being ready for delivery, the political honzon of China is by no means bright. We learn that Sir John Davis has very properly resolved not to relinquish his hold of Chusan, until the right of Europeane to enter the city of Canton is fully acknowledged by the Chinese Government, and enforced by the local authorities upon the in solent populace. This point, we have reason: 10 think, is by no means of easy attainment; but being one of the enticles of the treaty, we consider that Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China is bound to insist on ite falfilment. When Keying took his departure from Hongkong, was generally understood that a reference to Pekin had been agreed upon; and from the enlightened and liberal views entertained by that statesman, the weight of bis opinions was, no doubt, exercised in favour of a satisfactory and permanent adjustment of the question. It must not be forgotten, however, that this honest Mandarin has a strong. party against him at the Imperial Court, and that his endeavoNTR With respect to the severity of the duties allud. to effect what, to his unprejudiced mind, may a ed to by our correspondent, we are now convinced pear but simple justice to the English, are very li- That not one man more was dotaled for duty-than-kely to be distorted by bis enemies into a traitorous The circumstances of the colony required, and that partiality for foreigners. Should those euemiss General D'Aguilar, in replacing the weak and in- efficient 93th Ropment and a Madras Native Insioner's influence with the ruling party at Pekin,
even succeed in ondermining the High Commi The strong and healthy Royal Irish and
the results must be so unfavourable to European 22nd Medras Regiment applied the
only remedy
intercourse, that a revival of those jaults, which wer for the mitigation of these evils. were of daily occurrence before the war, can only point upon which our correspondent be prevented by the infliction of some strong and in assuming that the Navelstore summary punishment on the inhabitants of Canton, by the Military without any We have on more than one occasion contrasted the General to transfer the bearing of these people towards our countrymen is subject, we understand, with that of the populace of the northem ports, by ent and warm discussion whom the weight of the British arm was fully Military Commanders at felt, and we bare since lear
opy to learn that the hardest knocks were given, civity and good un that where the
derstanding prevail the most.
with a strong under current; and we are certainly It would appear, from Major-General D'Aguilar's remarks, that he has had to contend, in this affair, much surprised that Mr Rees did not meet, espe We likewise extract the charges upon which
cially amongst the members of the civil Ordonnce Mr Rees was tried, together with the fading and establishment, with some calm and judicious al- sentence of the court, and the remarks of the ap-visers, who, by the weight of their position and proving officer; and we think few sensible men, opinions, might have saved him from risking the consideration, can for a moment doubt the amena who have ever given the question the slightest merits of his care upon an objection so utterly u
tenable as that of his being purely a civilian; and bility of Clerks of Work in common with all
as such, not liable to Military law. other "civil officers employed under the Ordnance at any foreign station, to the provisions of the Mutiny Act and Articles of War; and we further think that there is no Military man, whose know. ledge of discipline qualifies him (to go no higher) for the command of a corporals guard, who will not feel, on reading the subjoined chargee, that Major General D'Aguilar had no option, without seriously compromising his authority, but to bring Mr Rees bafore a General Court-martial.
In accordance with these instructions the com. millee went to work, and selected the house occu- pied by the Ordnance establishment as being the inost commodious and best situated. Before the eick, however, could be removed to this building, it was necessary not only to find shelter for the Ord nance Storekeeper, the Deputy-Storekeeper, and their families, as well as the Barrack Master and sundry Clerks, who were all located therein, but likewise for the whole of the Ordinance stores. This could not be done in a day, and we owe it to Ge- neral D'Aguilar to acknowledge tit we are now aware, bad it pat bera for his almost daily personal attention in urging forward the measure, the re- moral of the sick from the old hospital to the now- ly selected building would scarcely have been ac- complished before last hot season
by
A day or two before the de irture from Ching the Canton in
to express their sebl
TUISSION Europ
Were Do
on at the gaten, denour
Selting aside the particular application of the Martiny Act and Articles of War altogether, and ap pealing duly to the reductio ad absurdum, it is ob- his supporters will not stand five minutes' dispos rious that the doctrine maintained by Mr Rees and alonate consideration. A civil officer, boving the comparative rank, and drawing, in addition to bis regular pay, the local allowances of an Ensign, distinctip refuses, at a station fifteen thousand miles from Pallmall, to obey an order issued to him by Head-quarter, Victoria, Hongkong, 8th Nov. 1843
his General. Hongkong, 29th Oct. 1846, Clerk of Works Rowland aplicit the interference of a board of gentlemen (the What is to be done? Why, the Ce At & General Court-martial assemble at Victoria,neral is to proceed (we suppose cap in hand) and Raes, a civil officer employed in the Engineer Departe respective others) who individually and collecti ment under the Ordosnes in Hongkong, was arraigned vely are themselves uuder his general superinten about the disc, made his son subterdiscipline, not coincide with those of the Generat on the following charges -
FIRST. With having at Victoria, Hongkong, on or
dence and orders."* Nay, more,should the diaste and disrespectful letter to his superior ofces; Oficer, matters are to remain in abeyance pending News of the members of this board, on a point of Major Edward Aldrich, the Commanding Royal Engi Deer, therein describing and characterizing the official
the prisoner) "a persecuting tyranny, unequalled when the day arises for such a state of things to conduct of Maine Aldrich as manifesting towards him This is to ridiculous to require comment and Department," and exalung in the evil it had done." in vindictiveness withour precedent in the Engineer obtain in the British Army, we trust the change 1846, to the address of the Commanding Royal Engi-
SECOND-With haring den letter dated Est Oet. Field. Marshal's baton will be stuck into one of the may be made with radical consistency, and that & beer, refused to obey an order usued by the Major high stools of Pallomall, and west out to supersede General comm
sing the troops in China, directing for such an investiture. In the consulship of Cali-
all other authority. to proceed and do dety aftapley i
A precedent might be found adsance in the face of gula's horse--Ibid, Jany, 31,--22:
Vida user's Regulations, pags 256-
him the
Comman
Comm
a reference to the Ordinance Office.
Adju. Edited, Printed and Published by Joux Carr, ng Bods The Friend of China and Hongkong
Guzelis, Printing Office, Govon STREET, VICTORIL, HONGKONG, 1848,
*
deg Engineer