1841-1886
COLONY OF HONG KONG, &c.
15
would be some justification for the expense now being incurred, and for the great annual sacrifice of life; but when such advantages do not exist, and our occupation and military parade is an eyesore and daily source of annoyance to the Chinese Government (Keying, the imperial commissioner, has now refused to visit Hong Kong), it is worse than folly to persist in a course begun in error, and which, if continued, must eventually end in disappointment and in national loss and degradation.
R. Montgomery Martin.
24 July 1844.
(signed)
Enclosure 2, in No. 1.
(No. 249.)
Sir,
Victoria, Hong Kong, 20 August 1844. I AM instructed by his Excellency the Governor to inform you that he has perused your paper concerning Hong Kong, which you request may be forwarded to Lord Stanley. In doing this, however, his Excellency deems it only right towards you to state, with reference to the contents of that paper, written as it was with the disadvantage of only a few weeks' knowledge of the place, that he could not forward it without passing his own judgment on the incorrectness of many of the facts and conclusions, and the absence of moderation in the style.
Her Majesty's Government have expressed their high approbation of the several details and representations with which they have been furnished by his Excellency's predecessor, Sir Henry Pottinger, on every point connected with this colony; and some of the expressions in your paper might be construed into reflections on the proceedings of that distinguished personage, which his Excellency could not forward with his sanction.
In copying the Appendix to which you allude, I am directed to draw your attention to the necessity of not occupying the time, or diverting the attention of the clerks in the Treasury Office from their proper duties; and in cases where documents have already been furnished from the different departments, it might be sufficient merely to refer to them.
I have, &c. (signed) Frederick W. A. Bruce,
Colonial Secretary.
R. M. Martin Esq. &c. &c. &c.
(A true copy.)
(signed)
Frederick W. A. Bruce.
No. 2.
(No. 66.)
Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Lord Stanley to
Sir,
Governor Davis.
Downing-street, 17 December 1844. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 20th August last, marked “Separate,” enclosing a report drawn up by Mr. Montgomery Martin on the island of Hong Kong, and the expediency, in a political and commercial point of view, of its retention by Great Britain.
Mr. Martin's opinions on this subject are exceedingly adverse to the retention of Hong Kong, and are supported by arguments to show its unhealthiness, the improbability of raising a local revenue, and its inutility as an entrepôt for trade. In the letter which you addressed to Mr. Martin before forwarding his report, as well as in your despatch to me, you express your general dissent from his views, the inaccuracy of which you attribute to the shortness of his acquaintance with the colony and the enfeebled state of his health. Considering, however, the nature of the facts alleged by Mr. Martin, and the opportunities which from his position he enjoyed of forming an opinion on points connected with the finances of Hong Kong, Her Majesty's Government are anxious, before proceeding further, to receive from you a specific report as to the points on which you dissent from Mr. Martin's facts and opinions. It is evident that unless that gentleman's statements and views be altogether incorrect, they afford ample motive for deliberation before Her Majesty's Government authorise the incurring the very large civil and military expenditure which has been proposed in contemplation of Hong Kong becoming a permanent British settlement, the resort of a large population, both European and Asiatic, and the centre and principal seat of an extensive and valuable commerce.
I have, &c. (signed)
Stanley.
148.
B 4
No. 3.
17
1841-1886
COLONY OF HONG KONG, &c.
15
would be some justification for the expense now being incurred, and for the great annual sacrifice of life; but when such advantages do not exist, and our occupation and military parado is an eyesore and daily source of annoyance to the Chinese Government (Keying, the imperial commissioner, has now refused to visit Hong Kong), it is worse than folly to persist in a course begun in error, and which, if continued, must eventually end in disap- pointment and in national loss and degradation.
R. Montgomery Martin.
24 July 1844.
(signed)
Enclosure 2, in No, 1.
(No. 249.)
Sir,
Victoria, Hong Kong, 20 August 1844. I AM instructed by his Excellency the Governor to inform you that he has perused your paper concerning Hong Kong, which you request may be forwarded to Lord Stanley. In doing this, however, his Excellency deems it only right towards you to state, with reference to the contents of that paper, written as it was with the disadvantage of only a few weeks' knowledge of the place, that he could not forward it without passing his own judgment on the incorrectness of many of the facts and conclusions, and the absence of moderation in the style.
Her Majesty's Government have expressed their high approbation of the several details and representations with which they have been furnished by his Excellency's predecessor, Sir Henry Pottinger, on every point connected with this colony; and some of the expres- sions in your paper might be construed into reflections on the proceedings of that dis- tinguished personage, which his Excellency could not forward with his sanction.
In copying the Appendix to which you allude, I am directed to draw your attention to the necessity of not occupying the time, or diverting the attention of the clerks in the Treasury Office from their proper duties; and in cases where documents have already been furnished from the different departments, it might be sufficient merely to refer to them.
I have, &c. (signed) Frederick W. A. Bruce,
Colonial Secretary.
R. M. Martin Esq. &c. &c. &c.
(A truc copy.)
(signed)
Frederich W. A. Bruce.
No. 2.
(No. 66.)
Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Honourable Lord Stanley to
Sir,
Governor Davis.
Downing-street, 17 December 1844. I HAVE to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 20th August last, marked “Separate," enclosing a report drawn up by Mr. Montgomery Martin on the island of Hong Kong, and the expediency, in a political and commercial point of view, of its retention by Great Britain.
Mr. Martin's opinions on this subject are exceedingly adverse to the retention of Hong Kong, and are supported by arguments to show its unhealthiness, the improbability of raising a local revenue, and its inutility as an entrepôt for trade. In the letter which you addressed to Mr. Martin before forwarding his report, as well as in your despatch to me, you express your general dissent from his views, the inaccuracy of which you attribute to the shortness of his acquaintance with the colony and the enfeebled state of his health. Considering, however, the nature of the facts alleged by Mr. Martin, and the opportunities which from his position he enjoyed of forming an opinion on points connected with the finances of Hong Kong, Her Majesty's Government are anxious, before proceeding further, to receive from you a specific report as to the points on which you dissent from Mr. Martin's facts and opinions. It is evident that unless that gentleman's statements and views be altogether incorrect, they afford ample motive for deli- beration before Her Majesty's Government authorise the incurring the very large civil and military expenditure which has been proposed in contemplation of Hong Kong becoming a permanent British settlement, the resort of a large po- pulation, both European and Asiatic, and the centre and principal seat of an extensive and valuable commerce.
I have, &c. (signed)
Stanley.
148.
B 4
No. 3.
17
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.