CO129-103 - Others - 1864 — Page 495

"for the erection of houses of business in any part of the "Burmese territory."

This extends the right of settlement to the very frontier of China, and considerably eastward of that portion of the Upper Cambojia river which runs through South-Eastern Burmah, and has on its right bank the Burmese Shan city of Kiang-Huug.

Still further, the treaty contains a provision all-important for Pegu and our adjacent sparsely-peopled provinces on the east of the Bay of Bengal; for the 9th and concluding article provides thus for the passage of Chinese emigrants across Burmese terri- tory to any adjacent British possession :-"People, from whatever "country, who may wish to proceed to the British territory, the "Burmese ruler shall allow to pass without hindrance.”

In reference to these provisions of the treaty, we informed our readers, in our issue of the 19th ult., that the Chamber of Com- merce of Manchester had addressed a memorial to the Prime Minister, ugaia calling his attention to the great importance to the manufacturing, mercantile, and shipping interests of this country, of taking advantage of the treaty effectively to open the west of China to our trade, by a direct overland route from Rangoon to the Upper Cambojia river at Kiang-Hung. Since then the Cotton Supply Association has also taken the subject into consideration, and sent up a memorial to Lord Palmerston, praying that the country between Rangoon and Kiang-Hung may be thoroughly surveyed to ascertain the best route for a commercial way across it. This memorial we now publish; and may state further that the East India and China Association of Liverpool has also decided once more to press the important subject on the attention of Her Majesty's Ministers. Subjoined is the memorial of the Cotton Supply Association :--

"To the Right Honble.

Viscount Palmerston, K.G., G.C.B., M.P.,

First Lord of Her Majesty's Treasury. "The MEMORIAL of the COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION

respectfully sheweth :—

"That your Memorialists have heard with much satisfaction that treaty relations have again been entered into between Her Majesty and the King of Burmab.

"That your Memorialists observe, from a copy of the treaty as published in India, that one of its provisions is: That British 'merchants may acttle and hold lands for the creation of houses And that of business, in any parts of the Burmese territory.' another article provides:-- That people, from whatever country or nation, who may wish to proceed to the British territory, ⚫ shall be allowed by the Burmese ruler to pass without hindrance,'

"That your Memorialists are informed that between British Pegu and the South-West of China proper are the three Burmese Shan provinces of Moni, Kiang-Tung, and Kiang-Hung, which were severally more than once visited-in 1836-37 and other years, before the annexation of Pegu-by Dr. Richardson and Captain M'Leod (now Major-General M'Leod, commanding the troops in British Burmah), under the direction of the Supreme Government of India, to ascertain their commercial capabilities, and open, if possible, a trade with them and Western China from Moelmyen.

"That those officers found the country they traversed pro- ducing much cotton, all of which was being collected by Chinese caravans and carried into China to be manufactured; some of the Chinese merchants so seen by Dr. Richardson being within. twenty miles of the north-east frontier of what has since 1852 been British Pegu.

That your Memorialists consider that if a commercial way were opened from the port of Rangoon across Eastern Pegu by the most direct practicable line to the above-named Burmese Shan provinces, the cotton there grown, reported to be of a superior quality, would find its way to Rangoon for shipment to Eugland.

"That your Memorialists are advised that there are upwards of forty millions of acres of waste land in the British provinces of Pegu, Martaban, &e., very unch of which can be made highly productive with the necessary labour; and that the suggested road from Rangoon to Kiang-Hung would induce Chinese to come down from the South-West of China to settle on such waste laud; which, under their cultivation, would fur- nish large supplies of cotton.

"Your Memorialists, therefore, respectfully request your Lordship to take the subject into your serions consider- ation, and to direct the Viceroy and Governor-General of India to open up a commercial way between the port of Rangoon and the north-east frontier of British Pegn, on or near to the Salween river: and further, to move the King of Burmah for a continuation of such commer- cial way from that point of British Pegu, through Kiang-Tung, to Kiang-Hung on the right bank of the Upper Cambojia river.

"And your Memorialists will ever pray,

&c.

For and on behalf of the Cotton Supply Association,

(Signed)

JOHN CHEETHAM,

"President.

"COTTON SUPPLY ASSOCIATION,

"Manchester, 13th July, 1883."

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