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and I believe that most of the other authorities whom he cites would be found, on trial, to be no better supporters of Mr. Martin, than the Major-general above quoted.
But, I do not believe that a worse supporter of Mr. Martin's opinions could be found than the treasurer himself. Of Hong Kong he inconsistently, but most truly, observes, “almost every one here has bought building allotments, or own houses from which they derive a large rental (sic), and they are therefore very adverse to any diminution of Government expenditure, or to any transfer of the seat of government to Chusan." If the colonists are the best judges of their own interests, your Lordship will perhaps consider this as a strange account of a hopeless colony,
My surprise, on reading in Mr. Martin's letter, that we are "in danger of another war with China," could only be equalled by what I felt at his proposal that this should be averted by retaining Chusan, that is, violating the treaty of peace. If we are so near another war, I have been strangely remiss in not preparing your Lordship and the Earl of Aberdeen for the contingency. The fine levied on Keying (to which Mr. Martin alludes), was merely one mode of helping to recruit the desperate state of the Chinese finances." The Chinese Ministers' treaties with America and France have since been ratified by the Emperor, and he has been raised to the rank of a Cabinet Minister, for quietly preventing the French and American squadrons approaching the Peilo. With the observance of ordinary justice and moderation, though with a due assertion of our rights, I know of no country on earth with which war is so little probable as China. During more than a year's diplomatic intercourse with the Government, I have, without once hinting at such an alternative, maintained the rights of our Consuls at Foochow-foo and Amoy, resisted monopolies and impositions on the trade, and asserted the Queen's sovereignty over this island; and, if a knowledge of the proper reserve to be maintained in the exercise of my high duties had not been sufficient, the very terror which the Chinese entertain of any recurrence to past scenes might have influenced a person of common generosity to abstain from any unnecessary allusion to the last alternative.
I now descend to matters more within Mr. Martin's scope and experience, but in regard to which he is scarcely more fortunate. He states 10,000l. to be the utmost amount of revenue to be ever attainable, and his own estimate for the current year enclosed, is nearly 18,000, but much below what may be expected. In another paper he predicted that more than 5,000l. could never be obtained from the Crown Lands, and the rent-roll already exceeds 13,000l. When he applies the magnifying end of the glass, with reference to expenditure, he talks of spending “nearly half a million sterling" on this colony; while my despatch No. 79, of the 14th instant, will show that the whole estimated charge for public works, required subsequent to my arrival (supposing them to be all authorized) will be 96,145l., to be completed in the course of the next two years.
Having thus, and in a previous despatch, No. 44, disposed of Mr. Martin's facts, I will leave his inferences to shift for themselves; and if I am accustomed to make less frequent allusions than the Treasurer in his letter to the effects of "a tropical climate," to "my perfect disinterestedness," to "my perfect sincerity," and to my readiness to be "a cheerful victim for my country's good," I hope your Lordship's knowledge of mankind will not give you a worse opinion of me on that account.
I will conclude by observing, that I cannot understand how the recommendation, that the Treasurer's business be transferred to the Commissariat, could be carried out; for if a treasurer is necessary in every other colony, he could hardly be dispensed with in this, when the Consular accounts are superadded to the Colonial. At the same time, if Mr. Martin's great wish, as he declares, is to be transferred to some other position," I have every personal motive for wishing him success, if it were only to be relieved from much unprofitable discussion, while two distinct departments require my constant attention.
The enclosed letter has just reached me from Mr. Martin, declaring his intention of proceeding home without leave (in fact resigning) for the reasons he states. There is no proper person to substitute in his place, pending Mr. Stewart's arrival, except my private secretary, Mr. Mercer, whose father,
gentlemen
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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
and I believe that most of the other authorities whom he cites would be found, on trial, to be no better supporters of Mr. Martin, than the Major-general above quoted.
But, I do not believe that a worse supporter of Mr. Martin's opinions could be found than the treasurer himself. Of Hong Kong he inconsistently, but most truly, observes, “almost every one here has bought building allotments, or own houses from which they derive a large rental (sic), and they are therefore very adverse to any diminution of Government expenditure, or to any transfer of the seat of government to Chusan." If the colonists are the best judges of their own interests, your Lordship will perhaps consider this as a strange account of a hopeless colony,
My surprise, on reading in Mr. Martin's letter, that we are "in danger of another war with China," could only be equalled by what I felt at his proposal that this should be averted by retaining Chusan, that is, violating the treaty of peace. If we are so near another war, I have been strangely remiss in not preparing your Lordship and the Earl of Aberdeen for the contingency. The fine levied on Keying (to which Mr. Martin alludes), was merely one mode of helping to recruit the desperate state of the Chinese finances." The Chinese Ministers' treaties with Ainerica and France have since been ratified by the Emperor, and he has been raised to the rank of a Cabinet Minister, for quietly preventing the French and American squadrons approaching the Peilo. With the observance of ordinary justice and moderation, though with a due assertion of our rights, I know of no country on carth with which war is so little probable as China. During more than a year's diplomatic intercourse with the Govern ment, I have, without once hinting at such an alternative, maintained the rights of our Consuls at Foochow-foo and Amoy, resisted monopolies and impositions on the trade, and asserted the Queen's sovereignty over this island; and, if a knowledge of the proper reserve to be maintained in the exercise of my high duties had not been suflicient, the very terror which the Chinese entertain of any recurrence to past scenes might have influenced a person of common generosity to abstain from any unnecessary allusion to the last alternative.
I now descend to matters more within Mr. Martin's scope and experience, but in regard to which he is scarcely more fortunate. Ile states 10,000l. to be the utmost amount of revenue to be ever attainable, and his own estimate for the current year enclosed, is nearly 18,000, but much below what may be expected. In another paper he predicted that more than 5,0007. could never be obtained from the Crown Lands, and the rent-roll already exceeds 13,0007. When he applies the magnifying end of the glass, with reference to expenditure, he talks of spending “nearly half a million sterling" on this colony; while my despatch No. 79, of the 14th instant, will show that the whole estimated charge for public works, required subsequent to my arrival (supposing them to be all authorized) will be 96,1454, to be completed in the course of the next two years.
Having thus, and in a previous despatch, No. 44, disposed of Mr. Martin's facts, I will leave his inferences to shift for themselves; and if I am accustomed to make less frequent allusions than the Treasurer in his letter to the effects of "a tropical climate," to "my perfect disinterestedness," to "my perfect sincerity," and to my readiness to be "a cheerful victim for my country's good," I hope your Lordship's knowledge of mankind will not give you a worse opinion of me on that account.
I will conclude by observing, that I cannot understand how the recommen dation, that the Treasurer's business be transferred to the Commissariat, could be carried out; for if a treasurer is necessary in every other colony, he could hardly be dispensed with in this, when the Consular accounts are superadded to the Colonial. At the same time, if Mr. Martin's great wish, as he declares, is to be transferred to some other position," I have every personal motive for wishing him success, if it were only to be relieved from much unprofitable discussion, while two distinct departinents require my constant attention.
The enclosed letter has just reached me from Mr. Martin, declaring his intention of proceeding home without leave (in fact resigning) for the reasons he states. There is no proper person to substitute in his place, pending Mr. Stewart's arrival, except my private secretary, Mr. Mercer, whose father,
gentlemen
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