The Daily Press
HONGKONG, JANUARY 11TH, 1869.
OPENING OF NEW PORTS.
The following copy of a despatch from His Excellency Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., H. M's Envoy Extraordinary, &c., &c., to H. M's Consul at Amoy, in reference to the opening of additional ports on the Sea coast, and the establishment of landing places on the Yang-tsze, is published in the Shanghai papers. A copy has been communicated to the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Medhurst, H.B.M. Consul, invites individual opinions on the subject from any member of the mercantile community who may feel desirous of expressing his views, or affording any information or suggestion that may be of service to Her Majesty's Minister.
PEKING, December, 18th, 1868.
SIR,-In the Memorial to my address from the Merchants at Amoy, forwarded to me last year, there are two paragraphs, the one relating to the opening of an additional Port at Wenchow, and another, of much larger scope, proposing the opening of all the principal Ports on the Coast, not as regular Treaty Ports, but “as subsidiary to them.”
From various other sources, opinions have been conveyed to me on the part of the Mercantile Communities in China, more or less distinctly deprecating the opening of any more Ports on the Coast, as likely to be productive of expense incommensurate with any advantage to be anticipated.
In this conflict of opinion among those more immediately concerned; there is room for doubt as to the course of action which would best meet the interests of British Trade. It seems desirable, therefore, before any revision of the Treaty is actually entered upon, to learn with greater certainty the views of the Mercantile Communities generally on this subject. And, as regards the Memorialists at Amoy, I have to instruct you to ascertain more precisely what they mean by "Subsidiary Ports," and to what places on the Coast they allude?
I may as well state that, were other difficulties overcome, I have ascertained, from recent discussions with the Foreign Board at Peking, that the Chinese Government will not voluntarily consent to open any Port without stipulating for the residence of Consular Agents, and without themselves placing a Customs establishment at each place.
On the other hand, it is in contemplation to open to Foreign boats or vessels, not propelled by steam, all inland waters leading to and from any place, within the limits of any Customs district, where British Merchants may trade, in order to facilitate the transport of Foreign goods, or Foreign-owned produce; and, for the better security against unauthorized or unnecessary obstructions and delays. Assuming such a concession to be ultimately agreed upon, it would appear that, under another name, the advantage sought by Subsidiary Ports, so far as I understand what is meant, would, in effect, be obtained. That is, a privilege which would enable Merchants settled at any Treaty Port to trade directly with all the places along the Coast, or up the rivers, in the vicinity of their own ports, and in boats of their own, which they can build large or small, according to the ascertained requirements of such local trade.
The Amoy Memorialists appear to have contemplated, in connection with the system of Subsidiary Ports which they propose, that it should be imperative on all vessels going to any of these Ports to go to and from the nearest Treaty Port, where they would deposit their papers, give bond, take out a special permit, and afterwards return to the same Treaty Port to clear out in the usual manner.
I do not see very clearly how such a system of permits and obligations could be carried out without the intervention of a Foreign Customs Establishment and a Consular Agency, one or both, at each Port of call; and it may, further, be a question whether any vessel would find it expedient and profitable to go to a Subsidiary Port which could, very probably, neither take nor give a full cargo, and return direct to the Treaty Port at which her papers were left.
On the Yangtze, something of the nature of Subsidiary Ports has been under consideration, so far, at least, as the erection of landing places at certain points where cargo and passengers may either be taken up or set down, would supply a means of Trade. Yochow, Nanking, Tating and Wuhu, have been pointed out as desirable places for such an experiment.
If any new Port were to be opened on the Coast, Takau Shan, Taichow, Wenchow, Kiatchi, Shinting, and Pakhoi have been spoken of as the most eligible; but it is entirely an open question, yet, whether any or which of these shall be open, in the event of a general revision of Treaty stipulations being determined upon.
These possibilities are here referred to because, as they have already been under discussion, and have now been submitted to Her Majesty's Government for consideration, it would seem desirable that the Mercantile Communities in China, generally, should have a further opportunity of stating their views more specifically on points of so much importance in their bearing on the final results of any revision.
I shall accordingly forward a copy of this Despatch to H. M. Consul at Shanghai, directing him to communicate its contents to the Chamber of Commerce there, and otherwise to ensure such publicity as will give any members of the Mercantile Communities in China an opportunity of expressing their opinions, and affording information for my own guidance and that of H. M. Government. That there may be no unnecessary delay in communicating the result, you are authorized to forward a copy of any communications you may receive from individual Merchants, or any Mercantile body at your Port, direct to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
RUTHERFORD ALCOCK,
H. M's Envoy Extraordinary, &c., &c., &c.
W. H. Pedder, Esq.,
H. M's Consul, Amoy.
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The Daily Press
HONGKONG, JANUARY 11TH, 1869.
OPENING OF NEW PORTS. The following copy of a despatch from His Excellency Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B., H. M's Envoy Extraordinary, &c., &c, &c., to↑ H. M's Consul at Amoy, in reference to the opening of additional ports on the Sea coast, and the establishment of landing places on the Yang- tsze, is published in the Shanghai pepers. A copy has been communicated to the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Med- burst, H.B.M. Consul, invites individual opin- ions on the subject from any member of the mercantile community who may feel desirous of expressing his views, or affording any infor mation or suggestion that may be of service to Her Majesty's Minister.
PEKING, December, 18th. 168.
FIR,-In the Memorial to my address from the Merchants at Amoy, forwarded to me last rear, there are two paragraphs, the one rela- ting to the opening of an additional Port at Wenchow, and another, of much larger scope, proposing the opening of all the principal Porta on the Coast. not as regular Treaty Ports, but “as subsidiary to them.”
From various other sources, opinions have been conveyed to me on the part of the Mer- cantile Coinmanities in China, more or less dis- tinctly deprecating the opening of any more Ports on the Coast, as likely to be productive of expense incommensurate with any advantage to be anticipated.
In this conflict of opinion among those more. immediately concerned; there is room for doubt as to the dourse of action: which would best meet the interests of British Trade. It seems desirable, therefore, before' any revision of the Treaty is actually entered upon, to learn with greater certainty the views.of the Mercantils Communities generally on this subject. And, as regards the Memorialists at Amoy, I have to instruct you to ascertain more precisely what they mean by "Subsidiary Ports," and to what places on the Coast they allnde ?
I may as well state that, were other difficaltes overcome, I have ascertained, from recent dis- cussions with the Foreign Board at Peking, that the Chinese Government will not volun. tarily consent to open any Port without stipu- lating for the residence of Consular Agents, and without themselves placing a Customs es- tablishment at each place.
On the other hand, it is in contemplation to open to Foreign boata or vessels, not propelled by steam, all inland waters leading to and from any place, within the limits of any Customs district, where British Merchants may trade, in order to facilitate the transport of Foreign goods, or Foreign-owned produce; and, for the better security against unauthorized or none- cessary obstructions and delays. Assuming such a concession to be ultimately agreed upon, it would appear that, under another name, the ad- vantage sought by Subsidiary Ports, so far as I understand what is meant, would, in effect, be obtained. That is, a privilege which would enable Merchants settled at any Treaty Port to trade directly with all the places along the
Coast, or up the rivers, in the vicinity of their own ports, and in boats of their own, which they can build large or small, according to the ascer- tained requirements of such local trade.
The Amoy Memorialists appear to have con- templated, in connection with the system of Subsidiary Ports which they propose, that it should be imperative on all vessels going to any of these Ports to go to and from the nearest Treaty Port, where they would deposit their papers, give bond, take out a special permit, and afterwards return to the same Treaty Port to clear out in the usual manner.
I do not see very clearly bow such a system of permits and obligations could be carried out without the intervention of a Foreign Customs Establishment and a Cousintar Agency, one or both, at each Port of call; and it may, further, be a question whether any vessel would find it expedient and profitable to go to a Subsidiary Fort which could, very probably, neither take nor give a full cargo, and return direct to the Treaty Port at which her papers were left.
On the Yangtze, something of the nature of Subsidiary Ports has been under consideration, so far, at least, is the erection of landing places at certain points where cargo and passengers may either be taken up or set down, would sup ply a means of Trade. Yochow, Nangking, Ta- tung and Wubu, have been pointed out us desirable places for such an experiment.
If any new Port were to be opened on the Coast, Takashan, Taichow, Wênehow, Kipchi, Shinting, and Pak-boi have been spoken of na the most eligible; but it is entirely an open question, yet, whether any or which of theac shall be open, in the event of a general revision of Treaty stipulations being determined upon.
These possibilities are here referred to be cause, as they have already been under discussion, and have now been submitted to Her Majesty's Government for consideration, it would seem desirable that the Mercantile Communities in China, generally, should bave a further oppor- tanity of stating their views more specifically on points of so much importance in their bearing on the final results of any revision.
I shall accordingly forward a copy of this Despatch to H. M. Consul at Shanghai, direct- ing him to communicate its contents to the Chamber of Commerce there, and otherwise to ensure such publicity as will give any mem- bers of the Mercantile Communities in China an opportunity of expressing their opinions, and affording information for my own guidance and that of H. M. Government." That there may be no unnecessary delay in communicationg the result, you are authorized to forward a copy of any communications you may receive from in- dividual Merchants, or any Mercantile body at your Port, direct to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
I am, Sir.
W. H. Pedder, Esq.,
Your obdt. Servant, RUTHERFORD ALCOCK,
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