1841-1886
gentleman of fortune, has tendered security to the amount of 10,000l. for his son, in any official situation. At the same time, Mr. Martin's securities must also be considered responsible.
Enclosure 1, in No. 6.
I have, &c. (signed)
J. F. Davis.
Sir,
Colonial Treasury, Hong Kong, 18 June 1845.
In my recent "Minute on the British Position and Prospects in China," I ventured to indicate, according to the best of my judgment, the mistakes committed during our past negotiations with the Chinese authorities, to demonstrate the apparent defects of our present policy, and to point out in some respects the course which it seems advisable to pursue previous to the evacuation of Chusan in February next,
Having devoted 20 years to an investigation of our colonial and commercial relations, I believe that my opinions there receive some attention at home, and that when Her Majesty's Government, unsolicitedly, selected me for office in China, it was expected I would be enabled to collect useful information.
Desirous of justifying the confidence reposed in me, I prepared and submitted several reports and documents to your Excellency, and these, together with a Commercial Report which I am framing for the Lords' Committee of the Privy Council for Trade, will I hope demonstrate that I have minutely examined affairs in China.
Although several of the conclusions at which I have arrived, after anxious investigation, may be at variance with those emanating from high authority, I trust I may without arrogance ask a full and fair hearing for opinions originating in integrity of motive, and a solicitude to ascertain what would be most conducive to the trade and permanent interests of the British empire.
Being therefore convinced that an immediate investigation of our Anglo-Chinese policy is of the highest importance on general as well as on financial and commercial considerations; aware that the sentiments I entertain find little concurrence in England from several gentlemen who recently filled office in China, and thinking that Her Majesty's Government have been acting under some erroneous impressions, I am very desirous of personally placing before Her Majesty's Ministers the information collected, and the opinions thence deduced, after visiting every part of China accessible to Europeans.
For this purpose I have the honour to solicit from your Excellency leave of absence for six months, on the following terms; viz-
1st. That I draw no salary for these six months.
2d. That I defray my own expenses to England.
3d. That if Her Majesty's Government decide there were no justifiable grounds for this application, that I resign my present office.
By granting my request no detriment whatever can accrue to the public service.
The treasury accounts are close up, the books are daily balanced, and all the required returns will be made to the 30th June.
I believe the payments on account of public works will be comparatively small for the next six months (or until final orders from home), and I am certain that with ordinary care no delay or embarrassment can arise in the Treasury Accounts.
Confiding in the importance of the information which I believe it to be in my power to convey, and in the probability of its being duly appreciated by Her Majesty's Ministers, I ask permission to forego all my salary, to incur considerable expense, and to destroy, perhaps my remaining strength by travelling during this hot and adverse season, and further, propose to risk my commission in Her Majesty's service, in order that I may have an opportunity of communicating personally to the authorities at home the result of my inquiries in this country.
His Excellency J. F. Davis, Governor of Hong Kong, &c. &c. &c.
I have, &c. (signed) Robert M. Martin.
Enclosure 2, in No. 6.
Sir,
Colonial Office, Victoria, Hong Kong,
19 June 1845.
I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, and to send you this reply.
The object of your present application is, to obtain the Governor's sanction to proceeding home for the reasons stated by you.
The regulations as to leave of absence by which the Governor is bound, are clear and peremptory, confining such leave to cases of serious indisposition requiring a change of climate.
Page 27
1841-1886
gentleman of fortune, has tendered security to the amount of 10,0001. for his son, in any official situation. At the same time, Mr. Martin's securities must also be considered responsible.
Enclosure 1, in No. 6.
I have, &c. (signed)
J. F. Davis.
Sir,
Colonial Treasury, Hong Kong, 18 June 1845.
In my recent "Minute on the British Position and Prospects in China," I ventured to IN indiente, according to the best of my judgment, the mistakes committed during our past negotiations with the Chinese authorities, to demonstrate the apparent defects of our present policy, and to point out in some respects the course which it seems advisable to pursue previous to the evacuation of Chusan in February next,
Hlaving devoted 20 years to an investigation of our "colonial and commercial relations, I believe that my opinions there receive some attention at home, and that when Her Majesty's Government, unsolicitedly, selected me for office in China, it was expected I would be enabled to collect useful information.
Desirous of justifying the confidence reposed in me, I prepared and submitted several reports and documents to your Excellency, and these, together with a Commercial Report which I am framing for the Lords' Committee of the Privy Council for Trade, will I hope demonstrate that I have minutely examined affairs in China.
Although several of the conclusions at which I have arrived, after anxious investigation, may be at variance with those emanating from high nuthority, I trust I may without arro- gance ask a full and fair hearing for opinions originating in integrity of motive, and a inlicitude to ascertain what would be most conducive to the trade and permanent interests of the British empire.
Being therefore convinced that an immediate investigation of our Anglo-Chinese policy is of the highest importance on general as well as on financial and commercial considera- tions; aware that the sentiments I entertain find little concurrence in England from several gentlemen who recently filled office in China, and thinking that Her Majesty's Government have been acting under sonie erroneous impressions, I am very desirous of personally placing before Her Majesty's Ministers the information collected, and the opinions thence deduced, after visiting every part of China accessible to Europeans.
For this purpose I have the honour to solicit from your Excellency leave of absence for six months, on the following terms; viz-
1st. That I draw no salary for these six months.
2d. That I defray my own expenses to England.
3d. That if Her Majesty's Government decide there were no justifiable grounds for this application, that I resign my present office.
By granting my request no detriment whatever can accrue to the public service.
The treasury accounts are close up, the books are daily balanced, and all the required returns will be made to the 30th June.
I believe the payments on account of public works will be comparatively small for the next six months (or until final orders from home,) and I am certain that with ordinary care no delay or einbarrassment can arise in the Treasury Accounts.
Confiding in the importance of the information which I believe it to be in my power to convey, and in the probability of its being duly appreciated by: Her Majesty's Ministers, I ask permission to forego all my salary, to incur considerable expense, and to destroy, per- haps my remaining strength by travelling during this hot and adverse season, and further, propose to risk my commission in Her Majesty's service, in order that I may have an opportunity of communicating personally to the authorities at home the result of my inquiries in this country. ~.
His Excellency J. F. Davis, Governor of Hong Kong, &c. &c. &c. -
I have, &c. (signed) Robert M. Murtin.
Enclosure 2, in No. 0.
Sir,
Colonial Office, Victoria, Hong Kong,
19 June 1845.
I AM directed by his Excellency the Governor to letter of yesterday's date, and to send you this reply.
acknowledge the receipt of your
The object of your present application is, to obtain the Governor's sanction to proceed- ing home for the reusins stated by you.
The regulations as to leave of absence by which the Governor, is bound, are clear and peremptory, confining such leave to cases of serious indisposition requiring a change of
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climate.
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