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them in the interior at a more advantageous rate than the small traders at Canton ever do. This is a very numerous class, the boats ply constantly between this colony and their respective native places. Individually they possess little capital; their dealings are beneath the notice of a British merchant, but could the whole be summed up, it would be something very large, though being very profitable, their numbers have considerably increased, and are likely to do so in the future. The market supplies have in consequence become as abundant, and various as those of the largest cities in Europe. A corresponding increase of fast-boats who trade to this port periodically has also taken place, and the local Government has not, as formerly, thrown obstacles in the way.
A great drawback upon this small trade, is the absence of capitalists here. Many men of desperate fortunes arrive and engage in dangerous speculations in order to obtain credit, and suddenly abscond after having sold the goods entrusted to them at a ruinous rate. There are others who early realize a fair profit, but withdraw from the colony as soon as they have accumulated a few thousand dollars, never to appear again, except to recruit their finances for another venture. There exists no local attachment, which may be ascribed to the absence of respectable families born on the island, with which the adventurers could contract marriages. As long as their relations live elsewhere, they will look upon Hong Kong as a mere temporary abode which they may abandon and revisit at pleasure, to suit their convenience.
This is a most serious obstacle to the increase of trade, though it cannot be charged to local arrangements made during our occupation