1841
Journal of Occurrences.
479
7. Hongkong-at least the Chinese part of the new settlement- was desolated by a fire on the night of the 12th, from which it has rapidly recovered; the number of inhabitants is again increasing. Lt. William Pedder, R. N. has been appointed harbor-master and ma- rine magistrate; Mr. Alexander Lena, assistant; and Mr. Joseph R. Bird, clerk of the public works. Mr. Samuel Fearon, interpreter and clerk of the court, has been appointed notary-public and coroner. Henry Holgate, esq., has been appointed acting colonial surgeon.
8. Heerjeebhoy Rustomjee's donation in behalf of foreign seamen in China, is thus announced in the Hongkong Gazette.
My dear sir,-The large number of foreign seamen at all times adrift in China, and their entire dependence upon the charity of the foreign hospital in Macao, for the comfort they require when suffering from diseases, has frequently at tracted my attention. Being aware that this institution is kept up by your person- al exertions and gratuitous attendance, and that the funds received for the main- tenance of patients sent from on board ship, by which alone it is supported, have been at all times insufficient to meet the expenses of the hospital, I deem it highly desirable that some provision should be made for the support of a useful institu- tion, and to prevent pecuniary losses being entailed on those devoting a large portion of their time to the relief of their suffering fellow-men.
It will afford me much satisfaction to promote this subject, by such means as are in my power, and I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that I propose to de- vote the sum of twelve thousand dollars for that purpose. This amount shall be placed in the hands of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co.; the interest to be de- voted to the maintenance of those patients now dependent upon the hospital; and to meet such expenses as are necessary for the support and efficiency of the institution.
For the management of the funds, I have appointed James Matheson, esq., J. Robt. Morrison, esq., and yourself, granting you conjointly the power of appro- priating the whole amount to the founding of a hospital for foreign seamen at Hongkong, or any other British settlement on the coast of China, should such a step he afterwards deemed advisable, and this be considered the most useful way of applying the funds to the object in view.
Hoping that such an institution will continue to prosper, that by it many may be benefited; and that it will receive from government the support and assis- tance which are necessary to its efficiency,
Believe me, my dear sir, your's faithfully,
(Signed)
HEERJEEBHOY RUSTOMJEE.
To Alexander Anderson, esq., acting surgeon to H. M. superintendents.
9. Capt. Elliot with his lady and family, commodore sir J .J. G. Bremer, and Alexander Anderson, esq., embarked on the 24th in the Atalanta. Captain Elliot, upon his embarkation, was saluted with 13 guns, from one of the Portuguese forts. The French corvette, 'Danaide,'-recently arrived-saluted sir Gordon Bremer's broad pennant. The Atalanta proceeded to sea the same evening.
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10. Affairs in Canton continue quiet, though a great deal of an- xiety exists among the Chinese in certain quarters. This is caused mainly by the movement of the expedition northward.
11. The prefect of Canton, who has acted so prominent a part in negotiations at the provincial city, came post-haste to Macao to seek an interview with sir Henry Pottinger; he saw major Malcolm, and then went back again to his superiors.
12. Yihshan and his colleagues still remain at the provincial city : and doubtless continue to deceive their master with their false state-