434
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organized by Mr. Martin; and other colonial banks had their origin in his advice and information. The "Bank of Asia," for conducting exchange operations between England, India and China, was framed in its plan and principles by Mr. Martin, and its organization was begun and completed by him; 8,000 shares, of the value of 100l. each, were subscribed for in a few days on its first announcement in London, and 6,000 shares of equal value were applied for in India.
These observations demonstrate that Mr. Martin's labours have not been restricted to those of a merely literary character. He has visited several times the manufacturing and commercial districts of the United Kingdom; and since his return from the colonies he has traversed a large part of the continent of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, &c., and examined the progress of their trade and manufactures. Mr. Martin is one of the few surviving officers of the disastrous surveying and exploring expedition of Her Majesty's vessels "Levin" and "Barracouta," employed under W. F. W. Owen on the coasts of Africa, and on the shores and rivers of the Eastern and Southern Hemisphere, and for his services he received the marked commendations of the distinguished Commander of the squadron.
During the last four years, Mr. Martin has been an active member of the General Court of Proprietors at the East India House, where he has disinterestedly assisted to obtain freedom of commerce for British India; to procure the adoption of a permanent moderate settlement of the land-tax, and to promote the social and Christian improvement of 100,000,000 of our fellow subjects. He has been several times examined before Committees of Parliament on financial and mercantile measures; and in 1840 he was nearly three weeks under a strict interrogation on the commerce and relative condition of India and the Colonies.
It has proved a source of sincere gratification to Mr. Martin, that his conduct abroad and at home was deemed deserving the gracious approval of his Sovereign William 4th, who was pleased to command the dedication of the "History of the British Colonies," and the "Marquess Wellesley's Despatches," and his presentation at Court; and to express to the Colonial Office the Royal desire that he should be employed in that department of Government, stating that "His Majesty took an interest in Mr. Martin's welfare."
Her most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria has also vouchsafed Her Majesty's benign commendation of Mr. Martin's efforts for the welfare of his country.
One of the greatest statesmen who have shed lustre on this or any other age (the most Noble the Marquess Wellesley) has conferred the much prized boon of his friendship on Mr. Martin; and this brief but unavoidably egotistical detail of public services may well be concluded by annexing a copy of a letter from the noble Marquess to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, of which Mr. Martin may justly feel proud, as it emanates from a mind of the most lofty, generous and enlightened character, and pre-eminently distinguished for an ardent patriotism, which, for more than half a century, has been efficiently devoted to the maintenance of constitutional liberty—to the extension of Christian civilization—and to the preservation and permanent prosperity of the whole British empire.
My dear Lord,
Kingston House, Knightsbridge, 17 November 1840.
YOUR Lordship's uniform kindness and obliging attentions induce me to trouble you with a request, in the success of which I am deeply interested, from motives of gratitude and friendship, as well as from a sense of public duty.
Several respectable friends of the present Government, from the same sentiments, have already expressed their concurrence in my opinion, and have declared an anxiety equal to mine on the same subject.
Our object is to see Mr. Montgomery Martin (a gentleman well known to your Lordship and to the public) employed in some station in which his eminent talents and extraordinary industry and diligence, and extensive information, might be rendered useful to the empire.
My friendship for Mr. Martin is founded on no light basis. I entrusted him with the publication of the documents connected with my administration of the British empire in India; a work which he has completed to my entire satisfaction.
This work necessarily involved the most confidential communication and intercourse, by which I am enabled, with the most perfect certainty, to pledge my honour to the integrity, ability, honest zeal and indefatigable spirit of industry by which this worthy gentleman has obtained so high an eminence in public estimation.
Mr. Martin has made the affairs of the British colonies and of India the more especial objects of his laborious studies; but he is also better informed on the interesting subject of Ireland (more particularly on the operation and result of her Legislative Union with Great Britain), than any person I have ever conversed with. Generally his knowledge of statistics is most extensive and most practically useful.
My gratitude towards this gentleman renders me most anxious for his welfare; but I would not recommend him to your Lordship, if I were not satisfied that his active employment in the public service would be beneficial to the empire and honourable to himself and to your Lordship.
The Right hon. Lord John Russell, &c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
I have, &c. (signed)
Wellesley.
No. 17.—
OF MR. M. MARTIN, TREASURER OF HONG KONG.
No. 17.
Copy of a LETTER from Lord Lyttelton to R. Montgomery Martin, Esq.
Sir,
Downing street, 7 March 1846.
21
No 17.
Martin, Esq.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Lyttelton to the letter which you addressed to his private secretary on the 2d instant, enclosing an abstract of your proceedings in China, and suggesting the appointment of a committee of three gentlemen, to examine into and report upon those proceedings.
Mr. Gladstone desires me to inform you in answer, that he cannot devolve on the gentlemen you have mentioned, or on any other persons, the office of instituting the inquiries which you have suggested; I am to add, that after a perusal of your letter, and the documents which accompany it, Mr. Gladstone can anticipate no advantage from prolonging a discussion on a subject of which he entertains views so widely different from your own.
Sir,
I am, &c. (signed)
Lyttelton.
— No. 18.
Copy of a LETTER from R. Montgomery Martin, Esq. to Mr. Secretary Gladstone.
29, Bloomsbury-square, 31 March 1846.
I HAVE had the honour of laying before you a printed statement of my proceedings in China. I have now been nearly five months in England, and I respectfully submit that I have shown I did my duty as a faithful servant of the Crown, and therefore do not deserve the treatment I have experienced, unless Her Majesty's Government disbelieve my statements, or are unwilling to amend those proceedings, which I have I think demonstrated are errors of primary importance.
Under these circumstances I beg to inquire, whether you will grant me a personal interview, to enable me to substantiate my statements; or,
2dly, Whether you will permit an inquiry into my conduct while in China; or,
3dly, Whether you will offer no opposition to my friends in the legislature obtaining an inquiry before Parliament into my statements.
— No. 19.
I have, &c.
(signed)
R. M. Martin.
COPY of a LETTER from Lord Lyttelton to R. Montgomery Martin, Esq.
Sir,
Downing-street, 6 April 1846.
No. 19.
6 April 1846.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, in which you inquire; 1st, Whether he would grant you a personal interview to enable you to substantiate the statement which you have already submitted of your proceedings in China; 2d, Whether any inquiry into your conduct while in China will be permitted; and 3d, Whether Mr. Gladstone would offer any opposition to a Parliamentary inquiry into your statements.
Mr. Gladstone desires me to inform you in answer, that he is not at present aware that there is any question depending between Her Majesty's Government and yourself, which could be made the subject of discussion at a private interview, or an inquiry in or out of Parliament. He apprehends, that having resigned your office at Hong Kong, and your resignation having been accepted, you no longer stand in any official relation to the Government; and Her Majesty's Government do not deem it convenient to enter into any discussion with you on the questions of Chinese policy, to which your several communications to them relate.
I am,
&c.
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434
Board
of
Trad
ELE
20
CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE RESIGNATION
organized by Mr. Martin; and other colonial banks had their origin in his advice and infor- mation. The "Bank of Asia," for conducting exchange operations between England, India and China, was framed in its plan and principles by Mr. Martin, and its organization was begun and completed by him; 8,000 shares, of the value of 1007. each, were subscribed for in a few days on its first announcement in London, and 6,000 shares of equal value were applied for in India.
These observations demonstrate that Mr. Martin's labours have not been restricted to those of a merely literary character. He has visited several times the manufacturing and commercial districts of the United Kingdom; and since his return from the colonies he has traversed a large part of the continent of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, &c,, and examined the progress of their trade and manufactures. Mr. Martin is one of the few surviving officers of the disastrous surveying and exploring expe- dition of Her Majesty's vessels "Levin" and "Barracouta," employed under W. F. W. Owen on the coasts of Africa, and on the shores and rivers of the Eastern and Southern Hemi- sphere, and for his services he received the marked commendations of the distinguished Commander of the squadron.
During the last four years, Mr. Martin has been an active member of the General Court of Proprietors at the East India House, where he has disinterestedly assisted to obtain freedom of commerce for British India; to procure the adoption of a permanent moderate settlement of the land-tax, and to promote the social and Christian improvement of 100,000,000 of our fellow subjects. He has been several times examined before Committees of Parliament on financial and mercantile measures; and in 1840 he was nearly three weeks under a strict interogation on the commerce and relative condition of India and the Colonies.
It has proved a source of sincere gratification to Mr. Martin, that his conduct abroad and at home was deemed deserving the gracious approval of his Sovereign William 4th, who was pleased to command the dedication of the "History of the British Colonies," and the "Marquess Wellesley's Despatches," and his presentation at Court; and to express to the Colonial Office the Royal desire that he should be employed in that department of Government, stating that "His Majesty took an interest in Mr. Martin's welfare."
Her most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria has also vouchsafed Her Majesty's benign com- mendation of Mr. Martin's efforts for the welfare of his country.
One of the greatest statesmen who have shed lustre on this or any other age (the most Noble the Marquess Wellesley) has conferred the much prized boon of his friendship on Mr. Martin; and this brief but unavoidably egotistical detail of public services may well be concluded by annexing a copy of a letter from the noble Marquess to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, of which Mr. Martin may justly feel proud, as it emanates from a mind of the most lofty, generous and enlightened character, and pre-eminently distin- guished for an ardent patriotism, which, for more than half a century, has been efficiently devoted to the maintenance of constitutional liberty-to the extension of Christian civili- zation—and to the preservation and permanent prosperity of the whole British empire.
My dear Lord,
Kingston House, Knightsbridge, 17 November 1840. YOUR Lordship's uniform kindness and obliging attentions induce me to trouble you with a request, in the success of which I am deeply interested, from motives of gratitude and friendship, as well as from a sense of public duty.
Several respectable friends of the present Government, from the same sentiments, have already expressed their concurrence in my opinion, and have declared an anxiety equal to mine on the same subject.
Our object is to see Mr. Montgomery Martin (a gentleman well known to your Lord- ship and to the public) employed in some station in which his eminent talents and extra- ordinary industry and diligence, and extensive information, might be rendered useful to the empire.
My friendship for Mr. Martin is founded on no light basis. I entrusted him with the publication of the documents connected with my administration of the British empire in India; a work which he has completed to my entire satisfaction.
This work necessarily involved the most confidential communication and intercourse, by which I am enabled, with the most perfect certainty, to pledge my honour to the integrity, ability, honest zeal and indefatigable spirit of industry by which this worthy gentleman has obtained so high an eminence in public estimation.
Mr. Martin has made the affairs of the British colonies and of India the more especial objects of his laborious studies; but he is also better informed on the interesting subject of Ireland (more particularly on the operation and result of her Legislative Union with Great Britain), than any person I have ever coaversed with. Generally his knowledge of statistics is most extensive and most practically useful.
My gratitude towards this gentleman renders me most anxious for his welfare; but I would not recommend him to your Loudship, if I were not satisfied that his active employment in the public service would be beneficial to the empire and honourable to himself and to your Lordship.
The Right hon. Lord John Russell, &c. &c. &c.
Colonial Office.
I have, &c. (signed)
Wellesley.
No. 17.-
OF MR. M. MARTIN, TREASURER OF HONG KONG.
No. 17.
Copy of a LETTER from Lord Lyttelton to R. Montgomery Martin, Esq.
Sir,
Downing street, 7 March 1846.
21
No 17.
Martin, Esq.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Lyttelton to the letter which you addressed to his private secretary on the 2d instant, enclosing an abstract of your proceedings in China, and suggesting the appoint- 7 March 1846. ment of a committee of three gentlemen, to examine into and report upon those proceedings.
Mr. Gladstone desires me to inform you in answer, that he cannot devolve on the gentlemen you have mentioned, or on any other persons, the office of instituting the inquiries which you have suggested; I am to add, that after a perusal of your letter, and the documents which accompany it, Mr. Gladstone can anticipate no advantage from prolonging a discussion on a subject of which he entertains views so widely different from your own.
Sir,
I am, &c. (signed)
Lyttelton.
- No. 18.
Copy of a LETTER from R. Montgomery Martin, Esq. to Mr. Secretary Gladstone.
29, Bloomsbury-square, 31 March 1846.
I HAVE had the honour of laying before you a printed statement of my pro- R. M. Martin, Esq.
No. 18. ceedings in China. I have now been nearly five months in England, and I to Mr. Secretary respectfully submit that I have shown I did my duty as a faithful servant of Gladstone, the Crown, and therefore do not deserve the treatment I have experienced,
31 March 1946. unless Her Majesty's Goverment disbelieve my statements, or are unwilling to amend those proceedings, which I have I think demonstrated are errors of primary importance.
Under these circumstances I beg to inquire, whether you will grant me a personal interview, to enable me to substantiate my statements; or,
2dly, Whether you will permit an inquiry into my conduct while in China; or, 3dly, Whether you will offer no opposition to my friends in the legislature obtaining an inquiry before Parliament into my statements.
- No. 19.
—
I have, &c.
(signed)
R. M. Martin.
COPY of a LETTER from Lord Lyttelton to R. Montgomery Martin, Esq.
Sir,
Downing-street, 6 April 1846.
No. 19.
6 April 1846.
I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt of your Lord Lyttelton to letter of the 31st ultimo, in which you inquire; 1st, Whether he would grant R.M. Martin, Esq. you a personal interview to enable you to substantiate the statement which you have already submitted of your proceedings in China; 2d, Whether any inquiry into your conduct while in China will be permitted; and 3d, Whether Mr. Gladstone would offer any opposition to a Parliamentary inquiry into your
statements.
Mr. Gladstone desires me to inform you in answer, that he is not a present aware that there is any question depending between Her Majesty's Government and yourself, which could be made the subject of discussion at a private inter- view, or an inquiry in or out of Parliament. He apprehends, that having resigned your office at Hong Kong, and your resignation having been accepted, longer stand in any official relation to the Government; and Her Majesty's Government do not deem it convenient to enter into any discussion with you on the questions of Chinese policy, to which your several communica tions to them relate.
I am
you no
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TOALETAMEN
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