It cannot, I think, but be obvious that an arrangement under which a small Trader may possibly have to remain 5 months and a half, awaiting the settlement of a trifling dispute, his boat and his crew, in fact, all that he and they have to depend on, being of necessity detained, must prove detrimental to the interests of a recently established Colony; one of the objects of the formation of which was the attraction to it of the native Commerce of the neighbourhood.
To ensure perfect freedom to the Trade of the Colony, and prevent the possibility of abuse on the part of the subordinate servants of the Government by denying unauthorized fees, and troubling the Traders frequenting the Port by inquisitorial visitations, there has been no system of supervision or enquiry from the details of which a statistical account of the value of the Imports and Exports might have been furnished; but the enclosed paper drawn up by the Registrar General, and Mr. Gutzlaff, Chinese Secretary, and the Harbour Master's return of the Square Rigged vessels that entered the Harbour during the past year, will tend to shew that the Trade must be considerable.
It is to be placed on record in this document that no fewer than 794 square Rigged vessels came in here during the year 1847, while in the course of the month of December alone, 2,162 Native Boats and Junks visited this place: all of these, it likewise appears, being engaged in some description of Traffic. It cannot for a moment be supposed that constant misunderstandings do not take place in such a state of things, and that if there existed a speedy, cheap, and comprehensible mode of Judicature, the owners of these crafts having occasion to enforce the payment of their debts, would not resort to it: while the fact that they do not avail themselves of that which is at present in use, is sufficiently clear.
A 2.
vessels 132
AIL
cannot, I think, but be obvious that arrangement under which a small Trader may possibly have to remain 5 months and a half, awaiting the settlement of a trifling. dispute, his boat and his crew, in fact, all that he and they have to depend on, being of neecseity detained, must prove detrimental to the interests of a recently established Colony ;- of the objects of the formation of which was the attraction to it of the native Commerec of the neighbourhood...
me
To ensure perfect freedom to the Trade of the Colony, and prevent the possibility of abuse on the part of the subordinate servants of the Government by derying unauthorized fees, and troubling the Traders frequenting the Prit by inquisitorial visitations, there has been no _ system of supervision or enquiry from the details of which a statistical account of value of the Imports and reports might have been furnished; but the enclosed paper drawn up-
A 2.
by the Registrar beneral, and Mr.
my
vessels
132
Gutzlaff,
Chinese Secretary, and the Harbour Master's return of the Square Regged reels that entered the Harbour during the past year, will tend to
in
mic
4
shew that the Trade must be considerable.
is to be placed in this document no any faith less than 794 square Rigged vessels came in here during the year 1847, while in the course of the mouth of Becember alone 2,162 NativeBats and funts ales visited this place : all of these, it likewise appears
appears being engaged deccription of Taffic. It cannot for
· instant be supprred that constant_ misunderstandings do not take place in such a state of things, and that if there existed a speedy, cheap, and comprehensible_ mode of Iudicature, the owners of these crafts haring recasion to enforce the payment of their debts, would not resort to it: while that they do not avail themselves of that which is at
present in uce, is
is sufficiently
clear.-
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