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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
tion I may possess, I stake it on the question raised whether Hong Kong or Chusan ought to be the seat of British power in China. I am supported in the views I have taken by Major-general D'Aguilar, by Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Cochrane, by Brigadier Chesney, by Commissary-general Collin, by Colonel Campbell, of Her Majesty's 98th, by the chief medical officer, the principal Military Engineer, and by the frank avowal of the French Admiral, and by the United States special Ambassador, that Hong Kong was valueless as a trading emporium, as a military post, or as a colony of any European nation. I believe that Mr. Davis, first opposed my views as to Hong Kong, and that he has thus expressed himself to Lord Stanley; in this he was supported by the Colonial Secretary and Auditor, but since Mr. Davis visited Chusan in September, his views of that place have materially changed, and since the recent illness of Mr. Bruce and Mr. Shelley, their sentiments are much altered. Almost every one here has bought building allotments, or own houses, from which they derive a large rental, and they are therefore very adverse to any diminution of Government expenditure, or to any transfer of the seat of Government to Chusan. My letters to Mr. Trevelyan (which I hope he will show you, as the closing post leaves me no time for detail) will indicate the danger we are in of another war with China.
The war party are now the cabinet at Pekin; Muchangah, the person most opposed to Europeans, is prime minister; and one of his first measures was the degradation of Keying, on account of his having betrayed the interests of the Chinese Empire to "Barbarians." I have shown, I think, how the possession of Chusan would save the fearful calamity of another war.
If no effort be made to retain Chusan permanently (although I feel confident it can be done without any breach of treaty), then I respectfully submit there can be no necessity for the British Government expending 100,000£ per annum for mere civil purposes on this barren rock, while the utmost amount of revenue to be raised cannot exceed 10,000£. a year. If any great future object is to be attained, then let the present large expenditure of blood and treasure go on, and I, for one, will submit to be a cheerful victim for my country's welfare. But I am prepared to prove there can be no justifiable grounds for spending here nearly half a million sterling from the resources of the British Exchequer, and if I do not prove this, let the loss of my official position in Her Majesty's service be the penalty. With the view of placing before Lord Stanley the information I have obtained, I respectfully solicit from his Lordship leave of absence to proceed overland to England, the leave not to exceed six months, and the journey to be defrayed at my own cost. Should I not demonstrate to his Lordship's complete satisfaction, that I was perfectly justified in soliciting this leave, let me be dismissed Her Majesty's service. My duties may be performed by the Commissariat during my absence, as they were before my arrival, or Mr. Mercer, the Governor's private secretary, shall receive half my salary as locum tenens. I am aware of the labour, risk, expense, and above all, the danger I incur of Lord Stanley's displeasure; but confiding in the justness of my views, I will gladly submit to any penalty which may be the forfeiture of my failure. It will add to the obligations you have conferred on me, if the answer to this request be transmitted by the ensuing mail which leaves England for China after your receipt of this letter. General D'Aguilar, and the Attorney-general, are favourable to my being permitted leave of absence for six months, to lay my statements before Lord Stanley; but General D'Aguilar is of opinion that Mr. Davis would not grant me the leave I seek, as I would be enabled then by viva voce, to substantiate my own views; for this reason, I have not applied to Mr. Davis, with whom, however, I am on the most friendly terms. The treaty provides for the cession of Chusan to the Chinese Government 25 December 1845; there is therefore no time to be lost on the subject. But if I receive an answer to this letter in April or in May, I would be able to reach England in time to allow of instructions being sent to Mr. Davis, not to restore Chusan until the final decision of Her Majesty's Government be known. Ere that time, I have little doubt that Mr. Davis will become convinced that Chusan alone can be the depository of the British power in China.
Should Lord Stanley not be pleased to comply with my request for six months' leave of absence, and that Chusan be restored to the Chinese, then there can be no necessity for retaining a treasurer here, and incurring a charge of several thousand a year, when the whole of my duties may be transferred to the Commissariat Department. The abolition of my office may with public advantage take place.
I say this in perfect sincerity, as I have never permitted my own interests to interfere with what might be conducive to the advantage of the State." I shall therefore have to rely on Lord Stanley's goodness, and entreat his transfer of me to some other position. Here, as a mere cashier of the sums required by the Colonial and Consular services, I could be of no use to Her Majesty's Government, and I cannot conscientiously receive 1,200£. per annum, when I am incapacitated by my position of serving the Crown, or of doing aught which may be creditable to myself.
James Stephen, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
I remain, &c. (signed) R. M. Martin,
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