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Exemptions purchased too dearly.
Kiungchow ought to be retained.
Increased duty on Opium & Silk.
the Supplementary Rules attached, will suffice to ensure that the contemplated arrangements will be faithfully carried out by the Chinese officials; ample guarantee against the imposition of illegal charges by the Provincial Authorities, it appears to us that the only result to Foreign merchants will be an increased burden of two and a half per cent on the value of their goods, without any countervailing advantage.
33. It should not be forgotten that the exemption which Sir RUTHERFORD ALCOCK is prepared to purchase at so high a cost, is already ours by the Treaty of Tientsin, and that a most dangerous precedent will be established by giving the Chinese an additional duty for breaking faith with us. The conditions affixed to the privilege are a direct premium for further violations of the stipulations of the Treaty, and as an instance of the trust that may be reposed in the honorable intentions of the Chinese Government at the very time these stipulations of the Convention have been agreed upon, it is worthy of remark that at Canton, an additional tax has, within the last few days, been imposed on foreign goods. It is contrary to all experience to expect the faithful observance of the new terms of Transit, and it is suicidal on the part of a Country like Great Britain, so deeply interested in the development of our Import trade in manufactures, to recede from a favorable position when once secured, or inertly to suffer valuable concessions once obtained, to be afterwards denied us systematically, and occasionally with insolence. The Convention, as regards the Transit dues, is therefore, in a most essential point, unsatisfactory.
7th Supplementary Rule. Hiring houses in the Interior.
34. We shall rejoice to see Wenchow and Wu-hu opened as Ports, but we are strongly of opinion that Kiungchow ought not to be given up; as we have already addressed your Lordship on this point, we need not recapitulate the reasons which induce us to consider it of such importance.
35. We are unable to see on what grounds the increased Duties on the importation of Opium under Article 12, and on the exportation of Silk under Article 17 should be imposed; because in our opinion the rates already affixed are to the full as high as either article can afford to pay. The former is already liable to a high Import Duty, and the competition between the Indian and the native-grown Drug is increasing. The additional Duty now proposed to be levied will naturally tend to diminish the importation of Indian Opium, and consequently must injuriously affect our trade; and at the same time make itself seriously felt in our Indian Empire, the Revenue of which, derives no inconsiderable amount from its production.
36. Under the 7th Supplementary Rule, permission is granted to British merchants who may go inland, duly provided with passports, for the purpose of selling foreign goods, or purchasing native produce, to rent for short periods, hotels or private houses, where they may store their goods, but on which they are not to exhibit their Hong name, or the style of their firm. It is however provided that the houses so rented from Chinese landlords are not to be protected from any taxes or charges to which they are assessable. This is tantamount to giving the Mandarins an excuse for imposing rates on all houses so occupied by British merchants, of which there can be no doubt the former will eagerly avail themselves, and so render nugatory a concession, which if carried out in good faith by the Chinese authorities, would have been of signal advantage to all parties. If the 12th Article of the Treaty of Tientsin were liberally construed, its provisions would be far preferable; because there is no limitation in it as to the period for which buildings can be taken; British subjects are given permission to build or open houses, in other places besides the Ports; and it contains a prohibition against exactions on either side, while there is nothing to prevent the exhibition of the names of the persons by whom the premises are taken.
Mr. Burlingame's Mission.
37. We are aware that many, whose opinions are entitled to respect, are inclined to believe that the Chinese Government is fully impressed with the necessity of fulfilling its engagements; and would willingly do all in its power to foster progress, and introduce useful measures, both political and social. They imagine that it is actuated by a sincere desire to ameliorate the condition of the people; and that convinced of the impossibility of any longer perpetuating its obsolete system of exclusiveness, it is anxious for increased intercourse with Foreigners; and particularly for the extension of friendly and commercial relations with European and American States. They are even credulous enough to believe that it really desires extensive reforms, and would gladly introduce into China the various mechanical appliances, and other modern inventions, which have conferred such incalculable benefits upon the people that possess them, were it not that the state of the country is such, as to render the Government apprehensive of inaugurating, just at present, any changes, however beneficial or needful. Men imbued with such ideas naturally deprecate anything in the shape of compulsion; and insist that what is requisite now for Great Britain to do, is to refrain from any even indirect pressure; to welcome, as it were, China into the family of friendly States; treat her in every respect as a highly civilized country; and allow her to select her own time for fulfilling, in their integrity, her Treaties. Viewing Chinese affairs, and Chinese Ministers through such a favoring but delusive medium; it is not surprising to find that they consider some recent occurrences, and especially Mr. Burlingame's Mission to the Treaty Powers, as a proof of good will on the part of China; and as indicating a desire to give up her former isolation, and in good faith commence a career of progress. It has constantly and authoritatively been referred to as a most important and gratifying event; from which a brilliant future for China may be anticipated; and which besides necessitates a complete change in the policy to be pursued towards her. In our opinion this is a great delusion, and one from which very deplorable consequences may ensue.
All who are conversant with China regard Mr. Burlingame's Mission as suspicious in its origin; mischievous in its progress; and likely to prove in its results disastrous to all countries connected for commercial purposes with China. It is simply a device of the Chinese to obtain time, and thus again defer indefinitely the fulfilment of the obnoxious clauses of the Treaty. The device is an astute one, and has unfortunately succeeded too well. Foreign Powers appear to have been all easily cajoled by the representations of the Commissioners; have given credit to their professions of liberality and desire for progress; and have compassionately yielded to their petition for time and consideration. We own we are at a loss to see on what grounds any greater reliance should at the present time be placed on Chinese promises and protestations, than at any other period of our intercourse with them. What proof is given of their honesty; or from what are we to infer that they will in a few more years, when their youthful Emperor has attained his majority, be either better able, or more willing, to observe their engagements than they now are? They have ever consistently refused to perform any Treaty obligation unpleasant to themselves, which they have not been compelled to carry out.
38. The Chinese Authorities have in general done nothing, except occasionally to degrade or punish some subordinate official, unless when the forbearance of some Foreign Power has been too severely tried, and the threat of forcible measures has succeeded, where mere remonstrances had proved ineffectual. We can discern nothing in Mr. Burlingame's Mission from which to infer the inauguration of the epoch of good faith, progress and civilization in China, so confidently predicted: on the contrary, we entertain the melancholy conviction, that if successful, it will only mark the date of fresh and still more complicated disputes between China and the Foreign Powers that may be induced to accede to the proposed Treaty.
39. We have entered fully into the various matters to which we desire to draw your Lordship's attention; and if we have done so at such length, it is because their importance requires it. Resident as many of us have been for years in China, and well acquainted with the feelings and the doings of the Chinese; we have anxiously...
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