CO129-007 - Sir John Davis - 1844 — Page 93

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

The Policy of the Chinese Government, is to keep junks at the mercy of the Batteries; but the suggestions extent which dictate to this policy ought to render et most obvious to operate in a counter direction.

There are now seven fortifications very strong apparently well provided.

With artillerymen, these forts would prove, even at present, formidable to any force, but with well manned American artillerymen, lyckenpear or American the Rock would be almost as impregnable as the Dardanelles.

On a review of the whole case there are no assignable grounds for the political or military occupancy; there were no expenses attending that occupation.

The Government of China is sufficiently civilized to respect the precious word property of British subjects at Canton before declaration of war took place which however is an event of very remote probability for many years to come) at treaty with China provides for the stationing of a ship of war at Whampoa or Canton.

It is better provided for any safety that British residents could be at Canton than Hong Kong afford. The Climate of Hong Kong will not admit of the island being garrisoned for troops, and in the event of another war with China, an invading army must proceed from land; but a small effective force at our disposal here-unless extremely numerous, and the impracticability of fortifying an island which is commanded by the heights around.

Edit History

2026-05-16 16:18:50 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
The Policy of the Chinese Government, is to keep junks at the mercy of the Batteries; but the suggestions extent which dictate to this policy ought to render et most obvious to operate in a counter direction. There are now seven fortifications very strong apparently well provided. With artillerymen, these forts would prove, even at present, formidable to any force, but with well manned American artillerymen, lyckenpear or American the Rock would be almost as impregnable as the Dardanelles. On a review of the whole case there are no assignable grounds for the political or military occupancy; there were no expenses attending that occupation. The Government of China is sufficiently civilized to respect the precious word property of British subjects at Canton before declaration of war took place which however is an event of very remote probability for many years to come) at treaty with China provides for the stationing of a ship of war at Whampoa or Canton. It is better provided for any safety that British residents could be at Canton than Hong Kong afford. The Climate of Hong Kong will not admit of the island being garrisoned for troops, and in the event of another war with China, an invading army must proceed from land; but a small effective force at our disposal here-unless extremely numerous, and the impracticability of fortifying an island which is commanded by the heights around.
Baseline (Original)
9. rely to muck ad. ad they 84 مجھے کیے تھے the River, olions to of the fits in the Cauton Hesse, равлен exther The Policy of the Chinese Government, is to keep funiguns at the steemity of the Prupures; but the sugacions sextent alich dicted to this peling ought to sender et med audions to operate in a counter disction. There are now seven, festifications very strany apparently well provided. cind with adtelling at the Buquer with Otricate Gurmet, these forts would proves. even at present, at firmidable to i vv v soda vi face, but mell mannet American cutillerymen, lyckenpean or American the Roque would be abcnst at impregnable as the deedanelles. Que ish a review of the is hole case these assignable grounds for the crolitical-o mulitar Henry Kerry military occupancy; of this were no expenss-attending. that occupe The رکھے۔ of h $$ The Government of China as sufficenting and ivilized to respect the pentous werd propertyg of 1. Mitish subgists, at Canton before declaration of tras took place poliich however is an event. of very reside may & probability for many years to come) at treaty with China Chix provides for the the stactioning of a ship of Was at Whanthon er Canton, OC better. prov coted for any savity is that British residents could at Canton than Hong Kong afford. The Climate of Hong Kong will not exdmit of the island being gavison for becops, and me the event of another with China), an must proceed from invading anny Media; but a داری تقویم force at our be -oc ve small effective very sur visaintained here-unless eccomment votprenuse, and the impracticability of festifang an island luch. is commanded hills by the bites around.
2026-05-16 16:18:50 · Baseline
View content

9.

rely

to muck ad.

ad they

84

مجھے کیے تھے

the

River,

olions to of the fits in the Cauton Hesse,

равлен

exther

The Policy of the Chinese Government, is to keep funiguns at the steemity of the Prupures; but the sugacions sextent alich dicted to this peling ought to sender et med audions to operate in a counter disction.

There are now seven, festifications very strany apparently well provided.

cind

with adtelling

at the Buquer with

Otricate Gurmet, these forts would

proves. even at present,

at firmidable to

i vv v soda vi

face,

but

mell mannet

American cutillerymen,

lyckenpean or American

the Roque would be abcnst at impregnable as the deedanelles.

Que

ish

a review of the is hole case these

assignable grounds for the

crolitical-o mulitar

Henry Kerry

military

occupancy;

of this were no

expenss-attending.

that occupe

The

رکھے۔

of

h

$$

The Government of China as sufficenting

and

ivilized to respect the pentous werd propertyg of 1. Mitish subgists, at Canton before

declaration of tras took place poliich however is an event. of very reside

may

&

probability for many years to come) at

treaty with China

Chix provides for the

the

stactioning of a ship of Was at Whanthon

er Canton,

OC

better.

prov coted for any

savity

is that

British residents

could

at Canton than Hong Kong afford. The Climate of Hong Kong

will not exdmit of the island being gavison for becops, and me the event of another with China), an

must proceed from

invading anny Media; but a

داری تقویم

force

at our

be

-oc ve

small effective

very sur

visaintained here-unless eccomment votprenuse, and the

impracticability of festifang an island

luch. is commanded

hills

by the bites

around.

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.