CO129-018 - Others - 1846 — Page 470

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ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS IN CHINA.

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OPIUM DISSENT.

ENUE FROM THE VICE AND MISERY OF MY PEOPLE.

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THE following dissent in council was recorded on the proposition of Governor Davis to license, under the sanction of Queen Victoria, the opening of opium smoking-shops in Her Majesty's colony of Hong Kong, for the purpose of raising a revenue. When recording this dissent, the answer of the Emperor of China, on a suggestion from Governor Davis to Keying, the Imperial plenipotentiary, for licensing the importation of this pernicious drug into China, was stated in council thus," It is true, I cannot prevent the introduction of the flowing poison,-gain-seeking and corrupt men will, for profit and sensuality, defeat my wishes, BUT NOTHING WILL INDUCE ME TO DERIVE A REV- This was an answer worthy of a Christian monarch. The Christian Sovereign of England, through her representative Governor Davis, has done that which a heathen Emperor has rejected; and Hong Kong has been made the opium smoking-shop, for the safe resort of the sensual, the idle, the dissolute and most degraded and depraved Chinese,--who, under the flag and license of our most gracious and religious Sovereign, are there protected in the prosecution of a vice which destroys body and soul,— which is corrupting society to the core,-which has no parallel in its fas- cinating seduction, in its inexpressible misery, or in its appalling ruin. It would be reversing the sacred decrees of Omnipotence to suppose that, under such circumstances, any blessing can attend the proceedings of England in China.

DISSENT IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

DISSENTIENT-- on the proposition for licensing the retail consumption of Opiuma in this Colony, on the following grounds :~~

I. Because the consumption of opium is not necessary to the subsistence or health of man, and is therefore a vicious indulgence.

II. Because the use of opium is not only a vice in itself, but the parent of many other vices; and whoever indulges in opium never ceases its use until poverty and death ensue.

III. Because it is no justification to say that, as gin, beer, wine, and other fer- mented liquors are stimulants attended with pernicious consequences, when used continuously in excess, that therefore the use of opium may also be licensed by Government. The experience of civilized nations has shown that fermented liquors are advantageous to the healthful energy of man; but no experience has shown that opium is beneficial to the body or mind of man, individually or collectively.

IV. Because no Government ought to make private vice a source of public

revenue.

pecu-

V. Because, independent of the foregoing and of other considerations, the liar position in which England at present stands towards the Chinese Government on this subject, the strong feeling entertained by a very large and influential portion of the community at home respecting the sale of opium in China,-and the risk which his Excellency incurs of creating an unfavourable impression against his Government, without any corresponding fiscal advantage to the state, renders it inadvisable to license the consumption of opium in this colony.

Desirous of earnestly and faithfully advising his Excellency, these remarks are offered for the Governor's consideration with great respect.

R. M. MARTIN, Hong Kong, November 26, 1844.

1. Examination of our financial state in Hong Kong, with several detailed statements. (Transmitted to Governor Davis, June 17, 1844; to Lords of the Treasury, June 19, 1844.)

2. Report on the British currency and monetary exchanges in China. (Juue 1844.)

3. Report on Hong Kong in all its aspects. (Forwarded to Governor Davis, July 24, 1844; to Lords of the Treasury, August, 1844.)

4. Report on Chusan, and examination of our policy in China. (Forwarded to Governor Davis, August 30, 1844; to Lords of the Treasury, September 20, 1844.)

5. Comparison between Hong Kong and Chusan. (Transmitted to Sir Robt. Peel, November 14, 1844; to Lords of the Treasury, November 14, 1844.)

6. Dissent in Council on proposed legislative enactment for licensing opium smoking-shops in Her Majesty's settlement of Hong Kong. (Read before Governor in Council, November 26, 1844.)

7. Draft legislative enactment, to enjoin an observance of the Sabbath in Hong Kong. (Transmitted to Governor Davis.)

8. Despatch respecting French intrigues in China. (To Sir Robert Peel, December 21, 1844.)

9. Minute on the British position and prospects in China; and an exposition of the Treaty of Nankin and of the Supplemental Treaty. (Forwarded to Governor Davis, April 19, 1845; to Sir R. Peel, April 25, 1845; to Lords of the Treasury, April 25, 1845.)

10. Representations and correspondence on the Governor's violation of instructions from Lords of the Treasury, on the disbursement and accounts of the public monies. (Forwarded to Lords of the Treasury, in May, June and July, 1845.)

11. Correspondence respecting six months' leave of absence, to represent the state of our affairs in China to Her Majesty's Government. June 18 and 24, and July 8, 1845. (Transmitted to Governor Davis, with explanatory letter to Lord Stanley, July 8, 1845; and to Mr. Stephen, Under Secretary of the Colonies, same date.)

12. Rise, progress, and condition of the tea trade, with numerous tabular statements, &c. (Forwarded to Lord Stanley, September 3, 1845.)

13. Points for the consideration of Her Majesty's Government on the whole of our affairs in China, with Appendices A B and C, showing (1) A necessary reduction of expenditure to the extent of £250,000 a-year; (2) Fair and honourable terms of negotiation with the Chinese Government for the cession of Chusan; (3) Reply to Sir II. Pottinger's reasons for preferring Hong Kong to Chusan; (4) The means to be adopted immediately for the rectification of our erroneous policy, to improve our position, and to expand our trade, &c. (Trans- mitted to Lord Stanley, September 3, 1845.)