Appendix.
Report on the
Island of Hong Kong.
The Royal Artillery, the finest military corps in the world, out of 135 men and officers lost in two years, 51 by death (of whom 35 died at Hong Kong during the last six months of 1843), and 45 by invaliding. That Hong Kong was the cause of their death will be seen from the fact, that Colonel Knowles's detachment of the Royal Artillery went through the whole of the war at Canton and at the Yang-tzi-kang river; the detachment was out here three years; it never landed at Hong Kong. One man was killed, another died of dropsy; but the whole of the remainder of the detachment returned to England, except the commanding officer, Lieutenant-colonel Knowles, who landed at Hong Kong, and died of fever.
The officers of the Royal Artillery died in the same proportion as the men; out of nine officers who came out with the original detachment, but one escaped disease or death.
Last year there were severe losses in the ships of war. Her Majesty's ship "Agincourt" lost, during the sickly season of 1843, 60 men, of whom 20 were marines; 40 men were invalided home, of whom few would recover. Since leaving England in May 1842, the "Agincourt" has been obliged to enter 160 seamen from merchant ships. The cause assigned for the severe illness of the marines and seamen of last year was the being obliged to land guards to protect stores at West Point. This year the "Agincourt" sends no men on shore or on night duty; and out of 600 men, there are only 23, including slight hurts, in the sick list. This fact tests the insalubrity of the shore.
The deaths in the naval force at Hong Kong and Whampoa, for the six sickly months ending October 1843, were 4 per cent.; while for the same period on shore, the deaths among the troops averaged 24 per cent.; and even among the European civilians, the estimate was 10 per cent. In May 1843, the left wing of Her Majesty's 55th Regiment had 16 officers and 491 men in Hong Kong. From thence to November, two officers and 218 men died; and the lives of the remainder were only saved by the prompt, judicious, and humane conduct of General D'Aguilar, in immediately embarking the men for England. The mortality as yet (July 17), during the present year has not been so great; but sickness is equally destructive of the efficiency of the troops. Chuck Chew, on the south side of Hong Kong, it was hoped, would be a healthy station.
On 30 June 1844, out of 400 men of Her Majesty's 98th, at Chuck Chew, there were 109 in hospital; out of 80 Lascars at the same station, there were 30 in hospital.
It was supposed that Saiwan, on the south-east side of Hong Kong, would afford a healthy station for the troops. Government expended about 30,000 dollars in preparing and building a fine set of barracks of two stories, with every view to comfort and health. The officer of the Royal Engineers having reported the barracks habitable, the General commanding sent a Medical Board to examine the building and station. The Board reported that the station at Saiwan appeared healthy; that there was no apparent cause for disease, and that it was eligible for troops. The General resolved to begin with a small detachment, and 20 Europeans were sent to Saiwan. No sentry was to be mounted during the day, and but one at night.
In five weeks, five of the soldiers were dead; three more were in a dangerous state, and four were convalescent; one European woman and child were also dangerously ill.
The remaining men were withdrawn, and a small detachment of native troops are now (17 July 1844) being sent thither, in order to ascertain whether the climate will suit them. On the 17th July 1844, only four men out of the 20 Europeans were reported fit for duty.
The returns made to the Army and Naval Medical Boards will furnish full information on the sufferings of the soldiers and sailors in Her Majesty's service in this colony.
The Indian troops bear the insalubrity of the climate worse than the Europeans. In the cantonments at the west end of Victoria, the 39th Madras Native Infantry and 37th Madras Native Infantry lost nearly half their men in 1842. 4th Regiment Madras Native Infantry landed at Hong Kong 450 men in perfect health, and 53 sick, after a long voyage. There have been already many deaths in the cantonments at the east end of Victoria, and in June 1844 there were 160 men sick, and the list was daily increasing. From 15th April to 2d July 1844 there died at Hong Kong, out of the small force here, 52 Europeans and 42 native soldiers.
General D'Aguilar says that the maintenance of an European garrison at Hong Kong would cost the Crown one regiment every three years. Estimating each soldier as having cost Government 100l., this would be a severe economical loss, and worthy the consideration of those who will not reflect on the humanity of the subject. To keep 700 effective firelocks in Hong Kong it is necessary to maintain 1,400 men!
Hong Kong is not less fatal to the Chinese, of whom there are, on an average, about 600 sick and dying monthly. Dr. Gutzlaff says, "Of 100 coolies, with whom I was acquainted, there died, between 20th May and 15th June 1844, 10 men, whilst 30 left the place diseased."
I understand that the whole of these 100 strong men from the north-east coast were obliged to leave the colony from sickness. There is no large town or extensive population on the mainland of China adjacent to Hong Kong; which indicates the native opinion of this part of China.
Dr. Gutzlaff says, "Many Chinese have fallen victims in Hong Kong from a malignant fever, which not only deranges the whole system, but hastens the death of the patient." He adds: "There exists amongst the doctors not one dissentient voice about the fatal tendency of diseases contracted here."
Nor is it during only one period of the year that the island is unhealthy; in the cold season there are agues, low continued fever, diarrhea, pulmonary complaints, dropsy, rheumatism, and various other diseases arising from general debility of the system, and the poisoned atmosphere. On 25th August 1843 the Surveyor-general of the colony reported to Government that "the number of interments had been so great (in the European grave yard) that the enclosure was almost quite full, and the hill behind so rocky that it was impossible to dig into it, therefore ere long it would be necessary to provide another place." The Surveyor-general further stated, "It would be a difficult thing to select another grave yard, on account of the rocky and uneven nature of the island."
Let it be not said that the dreadful mortality and sickness of Hong Kong is the result of the newness of the colony, and that all young settlements suffer proportionally.
The assertion, if made, is at variance with fact. New colonies, even in the tropics, have not been originally unhealthy. When the West India islands were first colonized, they were perfectly healthy, as is proved by the large European population who resorted thither and remained there many years. Calcutta and Bombay are reported to have been formerly much healthier than they are at present; the Australian colonies were perfectly healthy when founded; so also the Mauritius and St. Helena; I cannot name a single colony that was originally unhealthy, and that subsequently became salubrious. Soldiers, sailors, and civilians; Europeans and natives, women as well as men, residing in every part of Hong Kong, have fallen victims to the climate, and at all seasons of the year.
An extensive study of the subject, and no inconsiderable experience in different climates, induces me to concur in the opinion of Dr. Thompson, the respected head of the medical department of Hong Kong, that the island never will be healthy. Its geological character, the immense quantity of rain, and the circumvallation of hills surrounding the town and island, render it a hotbed of disease which may be more mitigated one year than another, but which will ever and anon recur with increased violence. No drainage can obviate this destructive miasm; independent of new roads or buildings, the rain will every year keep the surface continually saturated with moisture, and also uncover large portions of the hills, washing the putrifying substance down the deep ravines towards the sea, thus generating a fruitful crop of disease.
We shall have to consider in a subsequent part of this Report, whether the objects sought or to be obtained by the possession of Hong Kong are worth the dreadful sacrifice of life which the maintenance of the present establishments entail.
Population and Progress.-Hong Kong was "ceded to the British Crown under the seal of the Imperial Minister and High Commissioner Keshen," in January 1841.-See Captain Elliot's proclamation, dated Hong Kong, 29th January 1841, promising "full security and protection to all British subjects and foreigners, residing in or resorting to the island, so long as they shall continue to conform to the authority of H. M. Government, hereby duly constituted and proclaimed in and over Hong Kong," &c. By the same proclamation natives of China were invited to settle in the island by promising them that they should be "governed according to the laws and customs of China, every description of torture excepted." And by another proclamation, dated Hong Kong, 1841, issued by Sir Gordon Bremer, Commander-in-chief, and Captain Elliot, H. M. Plenipotentiary, it is declared, that "the island of Hong Kong has now become a part of the dominions of the Queen of England by clear public agreement between the high officer of the Celestial and British Courts, and the Chinese are hereby promised protection in Her Majesty's gracious name against all enemies whatever; and they are further secured in the free exercise of their religious rites, ceremonies, and social customs, and in the enjoyment of their lawful private property and interests." Chinese ships and merchants resorting to the port of Hong Kong for purposes of trade are exempt, in the name of the Queen of England, from charge or duty of any kind to the British Government. The remainder of the proclamation consists of further inducements for the Chinese to settle in and trade with Hong Kong.
A form of Government was organized; a chief magistrate, and a harbour master, &c. were appointed; 50 lots of land were sold, in June 1841, to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Dent & Co., MacVicar & Co., Fox, Rawson & Co., Turner & Co., Lindsay & Co., and various other persons, the annual rental of which amounted to 3,224l. Each lot was required to have a building erected within six months, of the appraised value of 1,000 dollars; and a deposit of 500 dollars was required to be lodged with the treasurer as a security for the performance of this engagement. Building commenced with great spirit; the Government spent very large sums of money on the island, and the harbour was filled with ships of war and transports.
The island has now had a fair trial of more than 34 years; we shall inquire what progress it has made in population,
On taking possession of Hong Kong it was found to contain about 7,500 inhabitants, scattered over 20 fishing hamlets and villages. The requirements of the fleet and troops, the demands for labourers to make roads and houses, and the servants of Europeans, increased the number of inhabitants, and in March 1842 they were numbered at 12,361. In April 1844 the number of Chinese on the island is computed at 19,000; of whom not more than 1,000 are women and children. In the census are included 97 women, slaves, and the females attendant on 31 brothels, eight gaming houses, and 20 opium shops, &c. It is literally
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[ 14 ]
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448
Appendix.
Report on the
Island of Hong Kong.
The Royal Artillery, the finest military corps in the world, out of 135 men and officers lost in two years, 51 by death (of whom 35 died at Hong Kong during the last six months of 1843), and 45 by invaliding. That Hong Kong was the cause of their death will be seen from the fact, that Colonel Knowles's detachment of the Royal Artillery went through the whole of the war at Canton and at the Yang-tzi-kang river; the detachment was out here three years; it never landed at Hong Kong. One man was killed, another died of dropsy; but the whole of the remainder of the detachment returned to England, except the commanding officer, Lieutenant-colonel Knowles, who landed at Hong Kong, and died of fever.
The officers of the Royal Artillery died in the same proportion as the men; out of nine officers who came out with the original detachment, but one escaped disease or death.
Last year there were severe losses in the ships of war. Her Majesty's ship "Agincourt" lost, during the sickly season of 1843, 60 men, of whom 20 were marines; 40 men were invalided home, of whom few would recover. Since leaving England in May 1842, the "Agincourt" has been obliged to enter 160 seamen from merchant ships. The cause assigned for the severe illness of the marines and seamen of last year was the being obliged to land guards to protect stores at West Point. This year the "Agincourt" sends no men on shore or on night duty; and out of 600 men, there are only 23, including slight hurts, in the sick list. This fact tests the insalubrity of the shore.
The deaths in the naval force at Hong Kong and Whampoa, for the six sickly months ending October 1843, were 4 per cent.; while for the same period on shore, the deaths among the troops averaged 24 per cent.; and even among the European civilians, the estimate was 10 per cent. In May 1843, the left wing of Her Majesty's 55th Regiment had 16 officers and 491 men in Hong Kong. From thence to November, two officers and 218 men died; and the lives of the remainder were only saved by the prompt, judicious, and humane conduct of General D'Aguilar, in immediately embarking the men for England. The mortality as yet (July 17), during the present year has not been so great; but sick- ness is equally destructive of the efficiency of the troops. Chuck Chew, on the south side On 30 June 1844, out of 400 of Hong Kong, it was hoped, would be a healthy station. men of Her Majesty's 98th, at Chuck Chew, there were 109 in hospital; out of 80 Lascars at the same station, there were 30 in hospital.
It was supposed that Saiwan, on the south-east side of Hong Kong, would afford a healthy station for the troops. Government expended about 30,000 dollars in preparing and building a fine set of barracks of two stories, with every view to comfort and health. The officer of the Royal Engineers having reported the barracks habitable, the General commanding sent a Medical Board to examine the building and station. The Board re- ported that the station at Saiwan appeared healthy; that there was no apparent cause for disease, and that it was eligible for troops. The General resolved to begin with a small detachment, and 20 Europeans were sent to Saiwan. No sentry was to be mounted during the day, and but one at night.
In five weeks, five of the soldiers were dead; three more were in a dangerous state, and four were convalescent; one European woman and child were also dangerously ill.
The remaining men were withdrawn, and a small detachment of native troops are now (17 July 1844) being sent thither, in order to ascertain whether the climate will suit them. On the 17th July 1844, only four men out of the 20 Europeans were reported fit for duty.
The returns made to the Army and Naval Medical Boards will furnish full information on the sufferings of the soldiers and sailors in Her Majesty's service in this colony.
The Indian troops bear the insalubrity of the climate worse than the Europeans. In the cantonments at the west end of Victoria, the 39th Madras Native Infantry and 37th In May 1844 a wing of the Madras Native Infantry lost nearly half their men in 1842. 4th Regiment Madras Native Infantry landed at Hong Kong 450 men in perfect health, and 53 sick, after a long voyage. There have been already many deaths in the canton- ments at the east end of Victoria, and in June 1844 there were 160 men sick, and the list was daily increasing. From 15th April to 2d July 1844 there died at Hong Kong, out of the small force here, 52 Europeans and 42 native soldiers.
General D'Aguilar says that the maintenance of an European garrison at Hong Kong would cost the Crown one regiment every three years. Estimating each soldier as having cost Government 100 l., this would be a severe economical loss, and worthy the considera- tion of those who will not reflect on the humanity of the subject. To keep 700 effective firelocks in Hong Kong it is necessary to maintain 1,400 men !
Hong Kong is not less fatal to the Chinese, of whom there are, on an average, about "of 100 coolies, with whom I was 600 sick and dying monthly. Dr. Gutzlaff says, acquainted, there died, between 20th May and 15th June 1844, 10 men, whilst 30 left the place diseased."
I understand that the whole of these 100 strong men from the north-east coast were obliged to leave the colony from sickness. There is no large town or extensive population on the mainland of China adjacent to Hong Kong; which indicates the native opinion of this part of China.
Dr.
Appendix.
Dr. Gutzlaff says, "Many Chinese have fallen victims in Hong Kong from a malignant fever, which not only deranges the whole system, but hastens the death of the patient." He adds: "There exists amongst the doctors not one dissentient voice about the fatal ten- Report on the dency of diseases contracted here."
Kong.
Nor is it during only one period of the year that the island is unhealthy; in the cold season there are agues, low continued fever, diarrhea, pulmonary complaints, dropsy, rheu- matism, and various other diseases arising from general debility of the system, and the poisoned atmosphere. On 25th August 1843 the Surveyor-general of the colony reported to Government that "the number of interments had been so great (in the European grave yard) that the enclosure was almost quite full, and the hill behind so rocky that it was impossible to dig into it, therefore ere long it would be necessary to provide another place." The Surveyor-general further stated, "It would be a difficult thing to select another grave yard, on account of the rocky and uneven nature of the island."
Let it be not said that the dreadful mortality and sickness of Hong Kong is the result of the newness of the colony, and that all young settlements suffer proportionally.
The assertion, if made, is at variance with fact. New colonies, even in the tropics, have not been originally unhealthy. When the West India islands were first colonized, they were perfectly healthy, as is proved by the large European population who resorted thither and remained there many years. Calcutta and Bombay are reported to have been formerly much healthier than they are at present; the Australian colonies were perfectly healthy when founded; so also the Mauritius and St. Helena; I cannot name a single colony that was originally unhealthy, and that subsequently became salubrious. Soldiers, sailors, and civilians; Europeans and natives, women as well as men, residing in every part of Hong Kong, have fallen victims to the climate, and at all seasons of the year.
An extensive study of the subject, and no inconsiderable experience in different climates, induces me to concur in the opinion of Dr. Thompson, the respected head of the medical department of Hong Kong, that the island never will be healthy. Its geological character, the immeuse quantity of rain, and the circumvallation of bills surrounding the town and island, render it a hotbed of disease which may be more mitigated one year than another, but which will ever and anon recur with increased violence. No drainage can obviate this destructive miasm; independent of new roads or buildings, the rain will every year keep the surface continually saturated with moisture, and also uncover large portions of the hills, washing the putrifying substance down the deep ravines towards the sea, thus generating a fruitful of disease.
crop
We shall have to consider in a subsequent part of this Report, whether the objects sought or to obtained by the possession of Hong Kong are worth the dreadful sacrifice of life which the maintenance of the present establishments entail.
Population and Progress.-Hong Kong was "ceded to the British Crown under the seal of the Imperial Minister and High Commissioner Keshen," in January 1841.-See Captain Elliot's proclamation, dated Hong Kong, 29th January 1841, promising "full security and protection to all British subjects and foreigners, residing in or resorting to the island, so long as they shall continue to conform to the authority of H. M. Govern- ment, hereby duly constituted and proclaimed in and over Hong Kong," &c. By the same proclamation natives of China were invited to settle in the island by promising them that they should be "governed according to the laws and customs of China, every descrip- tion of torture excepted." And by another proclamation, dated Ilong Kong, 1841, issued by Sir Gordon Bremer, Commander-in-chief, and Captain Elliot, H. M. Plenipotentiary, it is declared, that "the island of Hong Kong has now become a part of the dominions of the Queen of England by clear public agreement between the high officer of the Celestial and British Courts, and the Chinese are hereby promised protection in Her Majesty's gracious name against all enemies whatever; and they are further secured in the free exercise of their religious rites, ceremonies, and social customs, and in the enjoyment of their lawful private property and interests." Chinese ships and merchants resorting to the port of Hong Kong for purposes of trade are exempt, in the name of the Queen of England, from charge or duty of any kind to the British Government. The remainder of the pro- clamation consists of further inducements for the Chinese to settle in and trade with Hong Kong. A form of Government was organized; a chief magistrate, and a harbour master, &c. were appointed; 50 lots of land were sold, in June 1841, to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Dent & Co., MacVicar & Co., Fox, Rawson & Co., Turner & Co., Lindsay & Co., and various other persons, the annual rental of which amounted to 3,224 l. Each lot was required to have a building erected within six months, of the appraised value of 1,000 dollars; and a deposit of 500 dollars was required to be lodged with the treasurer as a security for the performance of this engagement. Building commenced with great spirit; the Government spent very large sums of money on the island, and the harbour was filled with ships of war and transports. The island has now had a fair trial of more than 34 years; we shall inquire what progress it has made in population,
On taking possession of Hong Kong it was found to contain about 7,500 inhabitants, scattered over 20 fishing hamlets and villages. The requirements of the fleet and troops, the demands for labourers to make roads and houses, and the servants of Europeans, increased the number of inhabitants, and in March 1842 they were numbered at 12,361. In April 1844 the number of Chinese on the island is computed at 19,000; of whom not more than 1,000 are women and children. In the census are included 97 women, slaves, and the females attendant on 31 brothels, eight gaming houses, and 20 opium shops, &c. It is literally
Island of Hong
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