427
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE RESIGNATION
and I believe that most of the other authorities whom he cites would be found, on trial, to be no better supporters of Mr. Martin, than the Major-general above quoted.
But, I do not believe that a worse supporter of Mr. Martin's opinions could be found than the treasurer himself. Of Hong Kong he inconsistently, but most truly, observes, "almost every one here has bought building allotments, or own houses from which they derive a large rental (sic), and they are therefore very adverse to any diminution of Government expenditure, or to any transfer of the seat of government to Chusan." If the colonists are the best judges of their own interests, your Lordship will perhaps consider this as a strange account of a hopeless colony.
My surprise, on reading in Mr. Martin's letter, that we are "in danger of another war with China," could only be equalled by what I felt at his proposal that this should be averted by retaining Chusan, that is, violating the treaty of peace. If we are so near another war, I have been strangely remiss in not preparing your Lordship and the Earl of Aberdeen for the contingency. The fine levied on Keying (to which Mr. Martin alludes), was merely one mode of helping to recruit the desperate state of the Chinese finances. The Chinese Ministers' treaties with America and France have since been ratified by the Emperor, and he has been raised to the rank of a Cabinet Minister, for quietly preventing the French and American squadrons approaching the Peiho. With the observance of ordinary justice and moderation, though with a due assertion of our rights, I know of no country on earth with which war is so little probable as China. During more than a year's diplomatic intercourse with the Government, I have, without once hinting at such an alternative, maintained the rights of our Consuls at Foochow-foo and Amoy, resisted monopolies and impositions on the trade, and asserted the Queen's sovereignty over this island; and, if a knowledge of the proper reserve to be maintained in the exercise of my high duties had not been sufficient, the very terror which the Chinese entertain of a recurrence to past scenes might have influenced a person of common generosity to abstain from any unnecessary allusion to the last alternative.
I now descend to matters more within Mr. Martin's scope and experience, but in regard to which he is scarcely more fortunate. He states 10,000l. to be the utmost amount of revenue to be ever attainable, and his own estimate for the current year enclosed, is nearly 18,000l., but much below what may be expected. In another paper he predicted that more than 5,000l. could never be obtained from the Crown Lands, and the rent-roll already exceeds 13,000l. When he applies the magnifying end of the glass, with reference to expenditure, he talks of spending "nearly half a million sterling" on this colony; while my despatch No. 79, of the 14th instant, will show that the whole estimated charge for public works, required subsequent to my arrival (supposing them to be all authorized) will be 96,145l., to be completed in the course of the next two years.
24 June, No. 3.
Having thus, and in a previous despatch, No. 44, disposed of Mr. Martin's facts, I will leave his inferences to shift for themselves; and if I am accustomed to make less frequent allusions than the Treasurer in his letter to the effects of "a tropical climate," to "my perfect disinterestedness," to "my perfect sincerity," and to my readiness to be "a cheerful victim for my country's good," I hope your Lordship's knowledge of mankind will not give you a worse opinion of me on that account.
I will conclude by observing, that I cannot understand how the recommendation, that the Treasurer's business be transferred to the Commissariat, could be carried out; for if a treasurer is necessary in every other colony, he could hardly be dispensed with in this, when the Consular accounts are superadded to the Colonial. At the same time, if Mr. Martin's great wish, as he declares, is to be "transferred to some other position," I have every personal motive for wishing him success, if it were only to be relieved from much unprofitable discussion, while two distinct departments require my constant attention.
The enclosed letter has just reached me from Mr. Martin, declaring his intention of proceeding home without leave (in fact resigning) for the reasons he states. There is no proper person to substitute in his place, pending Mr. Stewart's arrival, except my private secretary, Mr. Mercer, whose father, a 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.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(signed) J. F. Davis.
Enclosure 1, in No. 6.
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 thereon 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.
I have, &c.
(signed) Robert M. Martin.
Enclosure 2, in No. 6.
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.
427
...
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE RESIGNATION
and I believe that most of the other authorities whom he cites would be found, on trial, to be no better supporters of Mr. Martin, than the Major-general above quoted.
But, I do not believe that a worse supporter of Mr. Martin's opinions could be found than the treasurer himself. Of Hong Kong he inconsistently, but most Sournment opicer truly, observes, "almost every one here has bought building allotments, or own houses from which they derive a large rental (sic), and they are therefore very adverse to any diminution of Government expenditure, or to any transfer of the seat of government to Chusan." If the colonists are the best judges of their own interests, your Lordship will perhaps consider this as a strange account of a hopeless colony.
The Cotoniske
ہے اور ان کی کر کے عورت کی
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Ch. Davis Aus voie.com menet
Crother war &
My surprise, on reading in Mr. Martin's letter, that we are "in danger of another war with China," could only be equalled by what I felt at his proposal that this should be averted by retaining Chusan, that is, violating the treaty of If we are so near another war, I have been strangely remiss in not peace. preparing your Lordship and the Earl of Aberdeen for the contingency. The fine levied on Keying (to which Mr. Martin alludes), was merely one mode of helping to recruit the desperate state of the Chinese finances. The Chinese Ministers' treaties with America and France have since been ratified by the Emperor, and he has been raised to the rank of a Cabinet Minister, for quietly preventing the French and American squadrons approaching the Peiho. With the observance of ordinary justice and moderation, though with a due assertion of our rights, I know of no country on earth with which war is so little probable as China. During more than a year's diplomatic intercourse with the Govern- force the occndament, I have, without once hinting at such an alternative, maintained the rights
Anton.
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with eccrifying
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Aseant:ipt
of the Rosc Paris.
of our Consuls at Foochow-foo and Amoy, resisted monopolies and impositions on the trade, and asserted the Queen's sovereignty over this island; and, if a knowledge of the proper reserve to be maintained in the exercise of my high duties had not been sufficient, the very terror which the Chinese entertain of I deprcented the
of warmy recurrence to past scenes might have influenced a person of common
generosity to abstain from any unnecessary allusion to the last alternative.
20barronee
not
Coldmity.
I now descend to matters more within Mr. Martin's scope and experience, but in regard to which he is scarcely more fortunate. He states 10,000/ to be the utmost amount of revenue to be ever attainable, and his own estimate for the current year enclosed, is nearly 18,000, but much below what may
be without the Opium expected. In another paper he predicted that more than 5,000%. could never be obtained from the Crown Lands, and the rent-roll already exceeds 13,000/. Monoroly Bother When he applies the magnifying end of the glass, with reference to expenditure, Monopolies impor he talks of spending "nearly half a million sterling" on this colony; while my
my
statement
despatch No. 79, of the 14th instant, will show that the whole estimated charge The revenue for public works, required subsequent to my arrival (supposing them to be all not amount authorized) will be 96,1457., to be completed in the course of the next two 210,000 PAnnum, years.
24 June, No. 3.
Having thus, and in a previous despatch, No. 44, disposed of Mr. Martin's facts, I will leave his inferences to shift for themselves; and if I am accustomed to make less frequent allusions than the Treasurer in his letter to the effects of "a tropical climate," to "my perfect disinterestedness," to "my perfect sincerity," and to my readiness to be "a cheerful victim for my country's good," I hope your Lordship's knowledge of mankind will not give you a worse opinion of me on that account.
I will conclude by observing, that I cannot understand how the recommen- dation, that the Treasurer's business be transferred to the Commissariat, could be carried out; for if a treasurer is necessary in every other colony, he could hardly be dispensed with in this, when the Consular accounts are superadded to the Colonial. At the same time, if Mr. Martin's great wish, as he declares, is to be "transferred to some other position," I have every personal motive for wishing him success, if it were only to be relieved from much unprofitable discussion, while two distinct departments require my constant attention.
The enclosed letter has just reached me from Mr. Martin, declaring his intention of proceeding home without leave (in fact resigning) for the reasons he states. There is no proper person to substitute in his place, pending Mr. Stewart's arrival, except my private secretary, Mr. Mercer, whose father, a gentlemen
7
OF MR. M. MARTIN, TREASURER OF HONG KONG. gentleman of fortune, has tendered security to the amount of 10,0007. for his At the same time, Mr. Martin's securities must
son, in any official situation. also be considered responsible. Relative of Gover? Davis, to whom he was
to give my
anxious
has been wach
Sir,
I have, &c.
situation wheik (signed) J. F. Davis.
Enclosure 1, in No. 6.
Colonial Treasury, Hong Kong, 18 June 1845.
In my recent "Minute on the British Position and Prospects in China," I ventured to Encl. 1, in No. 6. 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 thereon 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 arro- gance 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 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 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.
care no
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
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, 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.
I
His Excellency J. F. Davis, Governor of Hong Kong, &c. &c. &c.
Sir,
1 have, &c. (signed) Robert M. Martin.
Enclosure 2, in No. 6.
Colonial Office, Victoria, Hong Kong,
19 June 1845.
I AM directed by his Excellency the Governor to acknowledge the receipt of your Enel, 2, in No. 6. 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 proceed- ing 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
743.
A 4
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