To H. E. Sir RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL,
C.B., Governor of Hongkong and its Dependencies, May it piense your Txcellene
the undersigned Barristers, Bankers, Physicians. Solicitors, Merchants, Shipowners, Traders, Shipwrights. Innkeepers, and others intercalal in the prosperity of Hongkong, neg to bring to your Excellency's notice certain pro- ceedings on the part of the Chinese Autho rities, which amount, we believe, to a direct and high-banded attack upon the commerce of the island, and which, if suffered to continue, will most prejudicially affct the well-being of the Colony
Chivese Custow-house elations have been, or are in corres of being, erected at the Cup-ring- moon, the Ly-e-moon, and Kowloon. for the purpose of levying exactions, under the deno mitation of “duties," apon that portion of the tanudo of this colony which is carried on in Chi- nese buttouta. Such stationa, if intended for the object none of collecting duties upon mer- chutis passing into the laborior at the points which this quired, could not resocally he objected to; last the establishments in question aré aupported by a forer of stema gunboats and armed Government jaks, by means of which they imputently threaten to levy tolle, on and after the 20th "instant, from every native craft passing through the nclonini waters, no iuaster whence ale comes or wint her destination. The effect la ca thongh we were at war with Chine, and the port Blockaded. Bat the Chinese Anthorities have gone further. Officers con- nected with the stations of which we complain are in the colony, and, it is understood, will be prepared to lean to the natives Raemption Chope upon payment within the island of the extortions which they falsely term "dutica!" The natural results zzo not wanting; already exces sive muertainty and alaria prevail among our Chinese population, and the brudu of the colony has been brought to shmont a dead-3 vode,
Comment or remark from us upon the atti- bade which the Chinese Authorities have this
assumed towards Hongkong and your Excel- leney's Gorannent spears to be superero- gatory. Your Bacalidaey does not need to Bure set forth to you the grave importance of the social, fancial, commerial, and inter- national moussendes involved in such extra- ordinary action as that which we hare just described. Yony Excelimey will feel as deeply as we do the insult offered to the Queen's dignity, and sie blow mined at the independence of the Colony under your charge. But our interests of every kind are so intimately bound up with the overthrow of the evil which we are now denouncing, tint we cannot refrain from ost urgently praying your Excelleasy to put in forec without delay whatever meusives may seem best calculated En uohiove that object,
We have the honour to remain, ir,
Your Excellencyla mudel obediens humble
servants,
Jowling, Matheson & Co. Gibbs, Livingston & Co. The Romics Co., Limitat. Angustine Homard & Co. David Bassoon, Soul 4 E. 1. Scammon, & Co. A. Bailo
For fly Dongkong mod Siroghat Banking Cor. porntion, Visto Krem
ce, hief Manager W. Jackson
Wm. Macaniny, saper
intendout P. & 5. X. Co.
G. F. Bow...
For the Comptoir dha. compte de Paris, Hong
koug A genes, E. Del- banco, Alutagen, Tandstein 3. Co.
Lane, Crus Bond & Co
N. Molly
C.
B. K. Mac & 4p.
L. A. Mokka
Edenard Sela ikust & Qu.
Hobert S. Walkor & Co.
Thos. Hux & Co.
D. Rattanjee 6. Co. MacEwen & Co. Mulier & Claussen, Congius Lapraik & Ca. For the Hongkong and Whumpon Dock Co. Limited, John S. Ia- pusik. Secretary. Holliday, Wizo & Co. Robi. Watsumre, Union Insurance Society. Phillipa, Moore & Co. Joda, Third & Co. Remedios & Co. Alfred Wilkinson & Qu. J.J, dos Remedios & Co. J. Willamme.
taljes Franjos, Sona &
Cu.
Rozzolo & Co.
Byandas & Du
Norcal & Some.
V. P. Soars & Co-
C. Braes & Co.
De Souza & Co.
M. J. Pâquico,
2. Ferreira.
Max. Fischer.
Keyn van Brothers & Co. Thes. C. Bayllar
Bown is to
0. A. M. Nuvis.
Avukoht, Kurbong & Cou
hop & G
D. R. Caliwael.
F. I. Hazolaml.
H. C. Caldwell.
A. B. Watson & Co.
AL Garrot.
G. Falruter.
Sayle & Co
S. W. Baker & Ca
G. Dods, M.D
Michfield & Zuric
E. Holmes.
De Silver & Co.
K. A. Hrior.
Chas. Hivington.
Ray & Co.
Vincent &. Cugns.
Dabost & Co.
L. Frickel & La.
G. W. Suelling.
F. Blackhead & Co.
John Jack.
Ven, tilasse,
Cavnajce Pabanjen & Co.
F. H. Edaljce & Co.
Y. K. Bah
P. & A. C. Čamajec A. Co.
JB. Colah.
D. C. Tuta.
N. Habibbey.
Niemissen & Co.
Rawling, Medien & Co.
Beiss & Co.
Melcher & Co. Birley & Co.
A. Coxml.
W. M. Morgan & Co.
14. Kier.
A. Havcook.
1. Hochstetter.
Janjeebhoy Vinam.
Pazul Mahomed Dama
ان زاده
Abrabimbauy Pubaner.
Houry Prucker.
Lammert, Alkinson& Co. F. BlacDonnel & Co.
A. Boyer.
B. P. Ranger.
D. Vassonjec à t'h. Budroodin Artodially.
Abdoolally Ebrali á
Co
Cowance Nutsherwinjer. Dhurmecy Poznjak.bog D. Goolara Hoosein & Co. Jairazbley Icarbhoy.
Gen. F. Maclean.
F. Degentr
Deetjen &. Von Borgen. C. D. Bettonley. J. M. Armstrong A. E. Vaucher.
Bourjan, Raisener & Co. Bell. Purdon & Co W. S. Adase, M.1
397
DEX