There was reason to suppose that these might eventually force the Canton trade down to Hongkong. The expectations arising out of the sudden release from all embarrassments may, even then, have been exaggerated; but the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, by opening other ports besides Canton, produced a total change in the prospects of the Colony, dependent as these were upon a state of things not improbable at the port of Canton, the only one to which we had had access.
This change was overlooked by Sir Henry Pottinger, by Sir John Davis, even in 1845; up to the end of 1844, merchants were still eager for good positions; and in particular, one eminent merchant who in 1845 went so far as to build an Exchange.
When Mr. Bonham arrived in 1848, there were still persons enthusiastic about the great benefits to be reflected on the Colony by certain changes. Bonham did not depreciate the position, but observed that its original prospects were altered and that its development must be gradual.
It would be vain to complain of the treaty as infusing Hongkong as a centre of trade, when it had opened a thousand miles of the Coast of the producing districts. Fault is to be found with those who have persisted, since the Treaty changed its prospects, in expectations hardly warranted before the change.
The Colony never could have shared in the trade between Great Britain and China, once...
Page 355there
was season to suppose that these
might.
eventually force the Canton Trade
down to Honghong.
The expectations arising.
out of
the sudden release from all embarrassments
may,
even then, have been ex a
but the Treaty of Nanking
aggerated;
in 18.42,
by opening other ports besides Canton 1.
lange in the prospects
produced total change in
of the Colony ; dependent as these were
[ upon
a state of things not improbable at the post of Canton, the only one to which we had had
This chango was overlooked by See Henry, Pottinger, by Ser John Davis,
even in 1845 ; up to the end
end of 1844-
- chants, who were still
by for good positions ;
o cv m la ch
ty
still eager and in particular
one an eminent Merchant who in
1845 went so fav
Exchange.
as to build an
When His Berxcellency
。
L
V
were still persons
enthusiastic about.
355
Mr. Bonham arrived in 1848, there
the great benefits to be reflected the Colony by
certain changes .
Bonham did mot depreciate the
>>
Colony
AO
port,
تر کیر کو کم تر از ترسیم
position, but to as perna
on
Mr.
a political
aded that its
riginal prospects were altered and that its development must be gradual.
It would be rain to complain of the treaty as infusing Hongkong
as a centre of trade, when it had
opened a thousand miles of the Coast: of the producing distriats . Fault is to be found with those who have persisted, since the Treaty changed its prospects, in expectations hardly wananted before the change.
The Colony never could
have shared in the Spade between
Great Britain
and China, once
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