១
3
165
Your Memorialists by no means desire to speak with needless disrespect of the Chinese government, but as its character is so essential an element in the consideration Under whatever name a of the question, they can hardly avoid seemingly to do so. Chinese official be established in Hong Kong, and however limited and innocent may appear to be his functions, he will by the natives be regarded as, and will assuredly assume to be, their ruler. He will be at once a tyrant and a spy, and will lovy exactions* on them, which they will neither dare to resist nor complain of, because, although they may know the British authorities would, on appeal, afford them protection, their wives and families being resident on the main land are there in the grasp of the Chinese government, and on them vicarious punishment would according to its usage be certainly inflicted.
That such evils would occur, is nearly certain and the efforts to repress them would assuredly not tend to promote friendly feelings between the British and Chinese governments.
In illustration of these views, the case of the neighbouring Portuguese settlement of Macao may be adduced, wherein formerly Chinese officials were permitted to reside.
While these officers remained there, not only business affairs but the smallest and commonest transactions in life were subject to their interference, so that even a house could not be built without their leave being obtained, and of course purchased.
In the year 1841, when all British subjects were driven out of Canton, they took refuge in Macao, but such a pressure was brought upon the settlement by the Chinese officers, by withdrawal of domestic servants, the stoppage of provisions, and threats of personal violence, that the Governor was compelled, most unwillingly, to intimate to the British residents that he could not continue to afford them protection, and they were obliged to leave the place, and to live on shipboard. Perpetual struggles and contentions between the Portuguese and Chinese, arising from the division of authority, still went on, and the assassination of Governor Amaral was one of the terrible consequences. This intolerable condition of affairs was only put an end to when the Portuguese govern- ment, availing themselves of the opportunity afforded by the war between Great Britain and China. insisted on all Chinese officers leaving the settlement, which has ever since been peaceful, independent and prosperous. It can hardly be supposed that any Chinese officer would in Hong Kong dare to proceed to any such extreme lengths as are herein
* It is well known that offices of the highest importance in China are commonly either purchased or farmed, while those who hold such as are of less value are only nominally paid by the Government but are left to pay themselves as best they can.
alluded to, but in the event of any threatened disturbance of the friendly relations now existing between the two Countries, his presence might be a source of danger, while in any case as the corrupt exercise of power, and the habit of submission to it, are ingrained in the Chinese nature, your Memorialists feel sure that the evils they have adverted to would more or less arise, and the apprehension of them would probably induce many of the most respectable Chinese to leave the Colony. Had sufficient time elapsed since the publication of the text of the New Convention in China for the Residents in Hong Kong fully to comprehend its application to that place, it is almost certain that remonstrances against this provision would ere this have been made.
Your Memorialists have reasons for believing that the views they take on the subject under discussion agree with those expressed in correspondence by the Governor of Hong Kong; if so, records of them will no doubt be found in the Colonial Office, and in Sir Rutherford Alcock's letter to the Earl of Clarendon enclosing Copy of the Convention, and commenting thereon it is stated that His Lordship's dispatch, No. 141, of the 4th August, "indicates a doubt as to the expediency of allowing a Chinese Consul to be appointed at Hong Kong." This wise doubt has been disregarded, and the reasons alleged are that it is better to permit that which may be inexpedient, lest the Chinese should do what is manifestly contrary to the laws of Nations, to which, however un- observant of themselves they are to be allowed to appeal.
For these reasons your Memorialists respectfully request that the Supplementary Convention of the Treaty of Tientsin as respects Article 2 may not be ratified by Her
Majesty.
James White MP
1.
M. Hatton Court?
EC
16th
Abruary 1870.
Mb Hilman
4. Crawford for self
G. Fourbeck Haney Reand for
York Deulun!! Indiriz Miff
& as Trustee to the Estate of the late J. A. Lane
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For the State of thelato. NJ. Ahtme
Dorlashapaith
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W5 Bridges
for the statt fite minstrator
Abe Ronge