are
Globe,
totally inapplicable to the peculiarities and circumstances of
connection with the Chinese Empire, and I therefore think it right to take this earliest opportunity of making My Government acquainted with what I have already
the subject,
and likewise respectfully offering my opinions
to be done for the future.
to what remains
The accompanying Copy of a notification
which I issued
on the 4th of last month will shew
that I have directed that the Provisions of the Merchant Seamen's Act shall be brought into operation in China, from and after the first day of December, and I hope
that this measure will, in some degree, check the irregularities which I have pointed out in that Notification; but I do not allow myself to expect, from the facility with which the penalties can be evaded, and the difficulty which will attend their enforcement in every instance,
that
the step will be effectual.
Sent & Cold Mp Dec 16/42.
31
your Lordship is, I presume,
aware that there has been for many years a Hospital for foreign seamen at Macao.
Previous to my arrival in China a respectable Parsee merchant, of the name of Heer Jethay Rustomjee, generously gave a donation $12,000 to aid in supporting that excellent
Institution and as it was decided that it
should be removed to Hongkong [or other British Settlement on the coast of China],
the Government granted a piece of
a piece of land for a site for the buildings, but have not hitherto contributed, in any degree on the public account to its Erection or maintenance
Your Lordship will find in Inclosures No.6 of Capt Elliot's despatch [as Chief Superintendent] of the 26th of June 1841, that the fullest information
regarding the objects of the Hospital, and also regarding Mr. Herjebhoy Rustomjee's donation, of which, I understand, $8000 have been already expended.
In the 1st of August last, I received a Letter from Mr. Anderson, [whom I
have