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Appendix.
Report on the
Island of Hong Kong.
Dissent in Council
against Opium
Ordinance.
Translation of a
Grant or Treaty of Privileges.
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open to ships under every flag; and that encouragement be given for the resort to and settlement on the island of other European nations. If this be done, a few years will determine whether it be possible to create any trade, or induce any resort to Hong Kong. Large Government establishments, and an immense outlay of the public money for the last three years have produced no beneficial result; but the opium traders, and those who choose to resort thither, have a voice in the management of the affairs of the colony. There can scarcely be less general trade, less prosperity, less security to life and property, than now exists, with a large garrison on shore and a fleet in the harbour.
If there were any one advantage, political, commercial, financial, or religious, present or prospective, derivable to England from the existing establishments at Hong Kong, there would be some justification for the expense now being incurred, and for the great annual sacrifices of life; but when such advantages do not exist, it is worse than folly to persist in a course begun in error, and which, if continued, must eventually end in national loss and general disappointment.
Hong Kong, July 1844.
(2.)
R. M. Martin.
DISSENTIENT on the Proposition for Licensing the Retail and Consumption of OPIUM
in this Colony, on the following grounds
*
1st. Because the consumption of opium is not necessary to the subsistence and health of man, and is therefore a vicious indulgence.
2d. Because the use of opium is not only a vice in itself, but the parent of many other vices; and whoever indulges in opium never ceases its use until poverty and death
ensue.
3d. Because it is no justification to say, that as gin, beer, wine, and other fermented liquors are stimulants, attended with pernicious consequences when used continuously in excess, that therefore the use of opium may also be licensed by Government. The experience of civilized nations has shown that fermented liquors are advantageous to the healthful energy of man; but no experience has shown that opium is beneficial to the body or mind of man individually or collectively.
4th. Because no Government ought to make private vice a source of public revenue.
5th. Because, independent of the foregoing and other considerations, the peculiar position in which England at present stands towards the Chinese government on this subject, the strong feeling entertained by a very large and influential portion of the British community at home respecting the sale of opium in China, and the risk which his Excellency incurs of creating an unfavourable impression against his government, without any corresponding fiscal advantage to the State, renders it unadvisable to license the consumption of opium in this colony.
Desirous of earnestly and faithfully advising his Excellency, these remarks are offered for the Governor's consideration with great respect.
26 November 1844.
(3.)
R. M. Martin,
TRANSLATION of a GRANT OF TREATY of PRIVILEGES conceded by the Emperor of Japan to the English, A.D. 1613.
[Original in the Firogane or Cursive character.]
Imprimis.-Wee give free licence to the subjects of the King of Great Britain, viz., Sir Thomas Smith, Governor and Company of the East India merchants and adventurers, for ever safely to come into any of our ports of the Empire of Japan, with their shippes and merchandize, without any hindrance to them or their goods; and to abide, buy, sell, and barter, according
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according to their own manner, with all nations; to tarry here as long as they think good, and depart at their pleasure.
Appendix.
Translation of a
Item the 2d.-Wee grant unto them freedom of custom for all such merchandize as either
Grant or Treaty of
now they have brought, or hereafter shall bring into our kingdom, or shall from hence transport to any foreign part; and do authorize those shippes that hereafter shall arrive and come from England, to proceed to present sale of their commodities without further coming or sending up to our court.
Item the 3d. If any of their shippes shall happen to be in danger of shipwreck, wee will our subjects not only to assist them, but that such parts of shippe and goods as shall be saved be returned to their captain, or Cape merchant, or their assignees; and that they shall or may build one house or more for themselves in any part of our empire where they shall think fittest, and at their departure to make sale thereof at their pleasure.
Item the 4th.If any of the English merchants or others shall depart this life within our dominions, the goods of the deceased shall remain at the dispose of the Cape merchant; and that all offences committed by them shall be punished by the said Cape merchant according to his discretion, and our laws to take no hold of their persons or goods.
Item the 5th, Wee will that yee our subjects trading with them for any of their commodities pay them for the same, according to agreement, without delay or return of their goods again unto them.
Item the 6th. For such commodities as they have now brought or shall hereafter bring, fitting for our service and proper use, wee will that no arrest be made thereof; but that the price be made with the Cape merchant, according as they may sell to others, and present payment upon the delivery of the goods.
Item the 7th. If in discovery of other countries for trade, and return of their shippes they shall need meat or victuals, wee will that yee our subjects furnish them for their money as their needs shall require.
Item the 8th. And without any other passporte, they shall and may set out to the northward upon discovery of Yead Yo, or any other part in or about our empire.
From our Castle at Surunga, this first day of the ninth month, and in the eighteenth year of our dairy, according to our computation.
Sealed with our broad seal and underwritten,
(4.)
Minna Mouttano, Yei. Ye. Yeas.
TO THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN,
YOUR Majesty's kind letter, sent by your servant Captain John Sares (who is the first
To the King of
I have known to arrive in any part of my dominions), I heartily embrace, being not a little
Great Britain.
glad to understand of your great wisdom and power, as having three plentiful and mighty Kingdoms under your powerful command. I acknowledge your Majesty's great bounty in sending me so undeserved a present of many rare things, such as my land affordeth not, neither have I ever before seen, which I receive, not as from a stranger, but as from Majesty, whom I esteem as myself.
your
Desiring the continuance of friendship with your Highness, and that it may stand with your good liking to send your subjects to any port or part of my dominions, where they shall be most heartily welcome; applauding much their worthiness in their admirable navigation, having with much facility discovered a country so remote, being nowhat amazed with the distance of so mighty a gulf, nor greatness of such infinite clouds and storms, from prosecuting honourable enterprizes of discoveries and merchandizing, wherein they shall find me to further them according to their desires.
I return unto your Majesty a small token of my love (by your said subject), desiring you to accept thereof as from him that much rejoiceth in your friendship.
And whereas your Majesty's subjects have desired certain privileges for trade and settling of a factory in my dominions, I have not only granted what they demanded, but have confirmed the same unto them under my broad seal, for better establishing thereof.
From my Castle at Surunga, this fourth day of ninth, in the eighteenth year of our dairy, according to our computation, subscribed.
G
Minna Mouttano, Yei. Ye. Yeas.