78
Renew of Public Occurrences During the
Fer.
to give to such questions the most anxious consideration; and to provide the most suitable way to a remedy,
**
The superintendents will only observe, in conclusion, that these suggestions with regard to the procedure of British subjects under existing circumstances, have by no means been made because they apprehend that the advice may be practically necessary, but rather to draw attention to the subject, with a view to inducing such a temperate and judicious course of conduct during the interval of the reference to the supreme powers, as shall insure the most prosperous
By order of the superintendents,
result.
--Corresp. p. 56.
(Signed)
CHARLKS ELL.10т, secretary.
15th. The governor and commissioner of customs issued a pro- clamation against the hong-merchants conniving at and abetting vice in foreigners-which, or one siniilar, is annually sent forth among the people. Vol. III., p. 391.
17th. Military reviews took place in the vicinity of Canton, which were attended by his excellency the governor.
18th. His majesty Täukwáng, who was bereaved of his imperial consort, 16th June, 1833, having made a new choice, raised her this day to be empress.
29th. A public meeting of residents in Canton was convened by circular, for the purpose of forming a Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in China, which was accordingly formed.
December 9th. British merchants in Canton draw up a petition to the king's most excellent majesty in council. Vol. III.,
p.
354.
January 1st, 1835. The arrival of a new hoppo, or commissioner of customs, was reported: he came accompanied by about two hun- dred domestics, &c., all Mantchous, seeking profit.
2d. Mr. Davis, in a letter to viscount Palmerston, wrote, “How- ever desirable it may appear to his majesty's government to avoid, if possible, the chance of a serious rupture with this country, at the same time that every endeavor is made to ameliorate the condition of British traders at Canton, it may with the utmost safety and certainty he averred, that the similar desire, on the part of the Chinese govern- ment, is no less sincere-however carefully it may be sought to be disguised, under the absurd phraseology of its official papers." In support of this opinion, he inclosed the following supreme mandate :
There are at Canton, merchants who have of late been in the habit of levying private duties, and incurring debts to barbarians; and it is requested that regula. tions be established to cradicate utterly such misdeineanors.
L
"The outside barbarians' commercial intercourse with the Inner Land, exists, indeed, by the compassion exercised by the celestial empire.
If all the duties which are required to be paid, can, indeed, he levied according to the fixed tariff