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PREFACE.
mercantile positions with a view to the reciprocal benefit of the British and Chinese empire and people.
Acting on the conviction that a servant of the crown is a steward of the public interests, and that he is morally respon- sible if he silently permit waste, mismanagement, or misdirec- tion of the national resources, and that the more distant his location from the seat of Government, and the higher his station, the more imperatively he is called upon to make his official conduct conformable with the principles which sustain and regulate private life-the undersigned sought from Governor Davis six months' furlough to convey the information he had acquired in China to Her Majesty's Government; to endeavour to correct the misrepresentations which prevailed in England, and which were studiously made by those who had pecuniary investments and building allotments, houses, bazaars, and mortgages, in Hong Kong, previous and subsequent to the Treaty of Nankin; and to sustain his statements, as they could only effectually be done personally, and by being on the spot to substantiate his views. For this purpose he offered to give up all his salary, to defray the heavy expenses of an overland journey to England,- -to retain his personal and collateral secu- rities to the crown,-and to forfeit the high commission he had the honour to hold, should his conduct be disapproved by Her Majesty's Government. Governor Davis refused the furlough thus sought, although the regulations of the service fully em- powered its being granted*; and it was stated that the word "resignation" must be used, if the undersigned determined to place the views he entertained and the information acquired before Her Majesty's Government.
Convinced most strongly of the soundness and importance of his views and information,-bearing in mind that, if Sir Stamford Raffles had been at home to urge an examination and discussion of his reports and despatches, the beautiful and lucrative island of Java would now most probably be a British possession,--believing that there was still time to rectify, to
* See Letter to Colonial Secretary, p. 116.
PREFACE.
some extent at least, our position and affairs; that he would be unworthy the confidence reposed in him, and undeserving the character which he had hitherto held, if in such an emergency he had hesitated between the solemn dictates of public duty and the sacrifice (however serious to him) of private considera- tions; the undersigned, after several fruitless endeavours to obtain a furlough, requested a board of survey on his accounts and treasury,--closed them satisfactorily,-gave them over, by orders, to the relative of Governor Davis,—and most reluctantly sent in his conditional resignation of office, in the strong hope that, when his conduct and motives were fully known in England, he would not be deemed deserving of censure-that he might confidently rely on the justice and liberality of Her Majesty's Government; and that national interests of the highest magni- tude would not require the sacrifice of a private individual, for endeavouring to obtain public objects, which, when examined in the following statements, will, it is hoped, be found deserving of the deepest attention.
As yet, we are but on the threshold of our entrance to a wonderful empire, whose semi-civilized inhabitants number one-third of the human race, and with whom an extended, friendly, and commercial intercourse would, by the implanta- tion of our habits and customs, be productive of incalculable mutual advantages.
To avail ourselves peacefully and righteously of the means which Divine Providence has placed within our reach for the inculcation of Christian civilization among myriads of mankind, ought, it is most respectfully suggested, be an object of para- mount national as well as individual solicitude; and if in any manner this truly great policy be promoted, the undersigned will have the satisfaction of feeling that he has not uselessly endeavoured to fulfil the duty which he swore to perform as a faithful servant of Her most gracious Majesty in China.
London, March, 1846.
R. M. MARTIN.