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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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TIPICO.

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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therefore, to offer remarks upon a document emanating from so high an authority, and the merits of which I prefer to leave unchallenged.

The fact is that, in the absence of the complainants, an absence still insisted upon, I do not see how a satisfactory issue could be arrived at; 1 did my best, however, with the evidence before me, but I was then willing, as I am now, to investigate their complaint before a Mixed Tribunal according to precedent, if they appeared in person and stated their case. Had they done this at first, the matter might have been settled at once.

As regards the protection to be accorded to them, they need be under no appro- hension on that point during the progress of the inquiry. I shall feel obliged, however, by being made acquainted with the views of his Excellency the Governor, with reference to its being extended beyond that period.

The Hon. J. Gardiner Austin,

Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.

Dear Sir,

I have, &c. (Signed)

B. ROBERTSON, Consul.

Inclosure 16 in No. 3.

The "Kum-Hop-Sing."

29, Queen's Road, Hong Kong, June 9, 1874. I FEEL obliged for your note of yesterday, but on consideration do not feel justified in putting my client to further expense in this matter; the so-called “inquiry " that has already taken place at Canton was simply a sham, and I have lost all faith in Chinese inquiries. I would write again to Sir Brooke Robertson if I saw any utility in doing so, but 1 sce none whatever. When I asked for a second inquiry, I had hoped that I might have succeeded in obtaining the restoration of the junk and her cargo; both have since been sold, and the proceeds no doubt divided amongst the officials, under whose auspices the outrages in question have taken place. In view of these facts, and that the "Kum- Hop-Sing" was only one of many other junks belonging to clients of mine which have been in like manner seized in British waters by the Chinese authorities, and that even these form but a fraction of the entire number of junks so seized, I do not believe that we shall ever have full protection for Chinese vessels frequenting this port until the Governor is armed with sufficient powers to put an effectual stop to such outrages in future.

This is the opinion of the Chinese merchants of the Colony, who ought to understand such matters, and under their instructions I have prepared a Petition from them to the Queen, praying for such protection and for compensation for the "Kum-Hop-Sing" and the other junks which have been in like manner illegally seized and confiscated.

This Petition I hope to send to you in a few days with the view of its being forwarded by his Excellency to Her Majesty.

I am, &c.

The Hon. J. Gardiner Austin,

&c.

&c.

&c.

No. 4.

(Signed)

WM. H. BRERETON.

Governor Sir Arthur Kennedy, C.B., K.C.M.G., to the Earl of Carnarvon.—(Received December 31.) (No. 209.) My Lord,

Government House, Hong Kong, November 9, 1874.

I HAVE the honour to transmit the copy of a letter dated 26th October, 1874, from Mr. 11. Lowcock, the Chairman of a public meeting held to consider what is termed the blockade of the Port of Hong Kong by Chinese Revenue cruizers.

2. Mr. Lowcock's letter is accompanied by a pamphlet and various documents specified in the appendix to this despatch, which I will not attempt to summarize, having already brought the subject under your Lordship's notice in my despatch No. 161, dated 25th August, 1874.*

3. I see no reason to modify the opinions I then expressed.

4. I transmit a quantity of printed extracts from local newspapers, which may not be without interest, as bearing upon the subject of Mr. Lowcock's letter.t

• No. 2.

+ Not printed.

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5. I shall not on the present occasion do more than direct your Lordship's attention to the opinions expressed by the Honourable James Whittall at page 6 of the pamphlet.* Mr. Whittall's position as Representative of the house of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co., together with his high personal intelligence and probity, entitle his opinions to great weight.

Sir,

A. E. KENNEDY, Governor.

I have, &c. (Signed)

Inclosure 1 in No. 4.

Hong Kong, October 26, 1874. I HAVE the honour of handing you herewith copy of the Report of the proceedings at a public meeting held at the City Hall on the 14th September last, to consider the blockade of this port by the Hoppo of Canton, and beg to draw your attention to the Resolutions, nine in number, passed thereat.

In accordance with the Resolution 7, I have now respectfully to ask that you will place the same before his Excellency the Governor, hoping that he will have the goodness to carry out the request of the meeting expressed therein; and I would also draw your particular attention to Resolution 8, in which I am desired to forward these Resolutions to you, asking his Excellency the Governor to transmit copies of them to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in the hope that his doing so will be the means of inducing Her Majesty's Government to take some action in the matter.

The Hon. Cecil C. Smith,

I am, &c.

(Signed)

H. LOWCOCK, Chairman.

Acting Colonial Secretary, Hong Kong.

Inclosure 2 in No. 4.

Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting held at the City Hall, Hong Kong, September 14, 1874.

1. "That this meeting regards with feelings of amazement and alarm the organized invasion by the Hoppo of Canton of the freedom and sanctuary of the port and harbour of Hong Kong.”

2. "That the establishment by the Hoppo of Canton of three stations at Foo-tow Moon, Capsing Moon, and Chun Chow, covering the approaches to this harbour, and assisted by steam gun vessels, attended by armed steam launches, these latter being allowed, contrary to the laws of the Colony, to move about at their pleasure, in and out of the harbour, at all hours of the day or night, in pursuit of junks, constitutes an effectual blockade, the evils of which are increasing every day, and are manifested by a great diminution of the junk trade and consequent withdrawal of general business from the Colony."

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3. "That the levy and collection in Hong Kong, at an establishment open for the purpose, by the agent of the Hoppo, of toll upon the harbour gates; and the systematic overhaul, in this behalf, of Chinese junks on nearing or departing from the port, by steam gun vessels, the "Peng Chou Hai," and others, anchored opposite to stations in the east, west, and south passages, is a flagrant and unparalleled breach of international usage, alike unbearable by the inhabitants of this Colony and injurious to foreign and native interests."

4. "That the proceedings of the Hoppo of Canton are in direct contravention of the letter of Her Majesty's invitation to trade at Hong Kong, dated 7th June, 1841; of the spirit of the Treaty of Peace between Great Britain and China, of the 26th June, 1858, and 24th October, 1860; of the Proclamation by the Chinese Government, dated 6th February, 1869, and of the practice of all civilized nations; and, as a consequence, most inimical to British prestige in Hong Kong and the neighbouring provinces of China, the impression being general, on account of the prominent part taken by Englishmen in the matter, that the system is connived at by the British Government, which is powerless to resist it.”

5. "That, as Hong Kong is entirely without internal resource and absolutely dependent upon free communication, prompt and decisive action is required to avert the impending annihilation of her trade, when her revenue must speedily decline, and the island again become, as in former years, largely dependent upon the mother country."

• Not printed.