CO129-006 - Sir John Davis - 1844 — Page 319

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

The expenditure of half a million sterling yearly, without any result other than the occupation of a barren, unhealthy, and valueless island at one extremity of the vast Chinese Empire, on which it operates as a perpetual blister without any corresponding advantage for our trade with China, which is totally independent of Hongkong, will soon form a debatable item in the annual Parliamentary estimates; and it is more prudent to look the difficulty in the face before any expense is incurred that may be avoidable.

Were Chusau instead of Hongkong the Colony of England, then its fertility, healthfulness, and important geographical position, midway between the Northern and Southern extremity of the Chinese Coasts; opposite the great and vulnerable frontier of China, the Yang-tze-kiang river, and contiguous to the Coasts of Japan and Corea, might justify an expense which it might be fairly presumed would be annually diminishing if not reimbursed to the Crown. But as the case stands, I see only a very large and augmenting expenditure, even on the most economical scale, without any present or future advantages.

I have, &c.,
R. M. Martin

/A true copy/
Frederick W. A. Bruce.

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You, in the arduous duties entrusted to me now, have induced me to submit these statements, very early, as I believe they involve serious considerations deserving the careful attention of H. M. Government. The expenditure of half a million sterling yearly, without any result other than the occupation of a barren, unhealthy, and valueless island at one extremity of the vast Chinese Empire, on which it operates as a perpetual blister without any corresponding advantage for our trade with China, which is totally independent of Hongkong, will soon form a debatable item in the annual Parliamentary estimates; and it is more prudent to look the difficulty in the face before any expense is incurred that may be avoidable. Were Chusau instead of Hongkong the Colony of England, then its fertility, healthfulness, and important geographical position, midway between the Northern and Southern extremity of the Chinese Coasts; opposite the great and vulnerable frontier of China, the Yang-tze-kiang river, and contiguous to the Coasts of Japan and Corea, might justify an expense which it might be fairly presumed would be annually diminishing if not reimbursed to the Crown. But as the case stands, I see only a very large and augmenting expenditure, even on the most economical scale, without any present or future advantages. I have, &c., R. M. Martin /A true copy/ Frederick W. A. Bruce.

Baseline (Original)

you, in the arduous duties conficted to now, has induced me to submit these statements, very early the small beliving as Ich that they involve servis considerations, deserving the car attention of H. M2 Government. The expenolitore of half within shirking goaly, without any result than the ocenpation of a -farver, unticalthy valueless intend it one extionuty of the vast Clinicse Empire on which it operates as a perpitical thister without any corresponding advantage / for our tracks with China is totally independent of Hongkong, will soon form a debatable item in the annual Parliamentary co bleiter Elimates; and it is suore provident to look • in the face before any difficulty tis avoidable xpense be vicured. Jew Were Chusau instead of Hongking the Colony of England then its my fortility healthfulup 31A healthfulues and important geographicent position, midway between the Norther and Southern extremity of the Chinese Courts : opposite the great Girdle and -vulnerable frontier of China the Yang loze kung, river and contiguous to the Coasts of Japan and Corea, might justify an expense which it might be fairly premmed, would be anually diminishing if not reimbursed to the Crown But as the case Cafe Atow stands, Isee Ime only or very large and augmenting expenditure, even on the most economical scakes, without any persant or future actvantages I have? Y 1 Agued) R. M. Machin /A true copy1 Freamver. Prederick Mr. A. Bruce.

2026-05-16 15:30:33 · Baseline

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you,

in the arduous duties conficted to now, has induced me to submit these statements,

very

early

the

small

beliving as Ich that they involve servis considerations, deserving the car attention of H. M2 Government.

The expenolitore of half within shirking goaly, without any result than the ocenpation of a -farver, unticalthy valueless intend it one extionuty of the vast Clinicse Empire on which

it operates as a perpitical thister without any corresponding advantage / for our tracks with China is totally independent of Hongkong, will soon form a debatable item in the annual Parliamentary

bleiter

Elimates; and it is suore provident to look

•

in the face before any

difficulty tis avoidable

xpense be vicured.

Jew

Were Chusau instead of Hongking

the Colony of England then its my fortility

healthfulup

31A

healthfulues and important geographicent position, midway between the Norther and Southern extremity of the Chinese Courts : opposite the great Girdle and -vulnerable frontier of China the Yang loze kung, river and contiguous to the Coasts of Japan and Corea, might justify an expense which it might be fairly premmed, would be anually diminishing if not reimbursed

to the Crown But as the case

Cafe Atow

stands,

Isee Ime only or very large and augmenting expenditure, even on the most economical

scakes, without any persant or future actvantages I have? Y

1 Agued) R. M. Machin

/A true copy1

Freamver.

Prederick Mr. A. Bruce.

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