16
Review of Public Occurrences During the
JAN.
province, made to the emperor in consequence of the Lord Amherst having been in his jurisdiction, and endeavoring to trade. There is nothing new in it:-we have heard the substance, in the same words, over and over again. Lí, the títuh, consider it as a matter of impossibility to prevent ships from proceeding to the northeast coast, since the ocean is so very wide, and he has found out that ves. sels may proceed thither direct, without touching in Canton province. But he is exercising the utmost vigilance to prevent ships from proceeding, by way of Can- ton, to the northern ports. He sends for that purpose cruisers to keep a sharp lookout, both on the coast and open sea, and especially at the frontier of Fukien and Canton provinces. Yet, at the same time, he acknowledges, that a ship, even when arrested in her course, can again retrace her steps. He therefore orders bis officers to pursue and drive any away, and at all events to send immediate notice to all officers along the coast, that they may be enabled to arrest her pro- gress, and to send her back to Canton. If it is found out, that the vessel comes by way of Canton, the naval officers are responsible, and their neglect of duty will be reported to the emperor.
"The hoppo has examined in the matter of trade. He finds that the hong-mer- chants are just in their dealings, according to their own statement; that the -eduction of the port duties, three years ago, has roused the barbarian merchants to gratitude, for the favor bestowed by the grea! emperor who shows compassion towards distant foreigners. In consequence of these regulations, there came more than twenty English vessels two years ago. Up to the 17th of Jan. of this year there had been already twenty-six ships. The Company's trade had been carried on as custɔmary ; the duties paid ; and everything was going on prosperous- ly, and upon a firm footing. Country and other barbarian ships participated in the trade, and bad nothing to complain of. He considers therefore the pretence of transferring the trade to other ports, on account of the injustice done to foreign merchants, as quite futile ; and as a mere cloak to open a trade with other provinces where the cominodities yield a greater profit. But, in case the hong-merchants acted unjustly, the barbarian merchants were at liberty to petition government, which would take due care to investigate the matter. They have therefore no reason to creep like rats into the seas of Chekiáng and Shantung. According to the established regulations of the celestial empire, their trade is restricted solely to Canton, and they are not allowed to go to other provinces, from whence they will return, after having toiled to no purpose, and involved themselves in guilt.
"To take away all grounds of complaint, which might give rise to similar expeditions, in opposition to the ancient laws of the celestial empire, all the above named officers will bestow their utmost care in scrutinizing, whether the navaj officers commit the least negligence in the performance of their duty; whether the hong-merchants, or any other merchants commit the slightest act of injustice in their commercial dealings; or whether the custom-house officers take more than the reduced tariff permits; they will, if found out, be reported to the emperor, that they may serve as a warning. The barbarian merchants may thus look up with composure to the holy lord,' who cherishes the utmost compassion towards foreigners." Can. Reg., May 31st, 1833.
27th. By the Peking gazette of this date it appears that another son has been born to the emperor, who is to be named Yihin, i. e. 'Great and continued joy.' Can. Reg., July 15th.