[ { "id": 216628, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "page_number": 112, "title": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "content_text": "Dale \n\nQuad Pallave caboux at, tomon \n\ncaptured \n\nLiver \n\nHippo. \n\nressives storing fo \n\nحمود سر جان مکی \n\nهرینگر مکه و مد نظر \n\nI den ful \n\ndilaw reasoned at Minsps in paqonent: \n\nit lyve litons Extried at Cim Brand \n\nگر مجھے \n\n48. Gatted- \n\nخود مرور همه توده \n\nPoliany \n\nLove litio: hans forced to #. Chimme viite Statement bet \n\nAumanit \n\nfor Khanamiccire û ditentia \n\nJur \n\nLike. Olalement HER.. \n\nمیں سلام میں \n\nSty. Chopped Soltau__X_XL_bide Statement Mt. 1. \n\nbike datements het. \n\non the thin as for resit to \n\nGamanter \n\nBy eyes liiver hamfered the Shimmer & for Pansmiss \n\nto Cauta por \"Old\" brite Ali Chimeri External B:4. \n\nKendinedion \n\nJue \n\nسیج \n\n\"FO. Ercotten \n\n[g/ P. More Five \n\n(Legends) J. Balfor Residents \n\nArr. \n\nDeputy Assistural Cofisis Land Frie", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217130, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 338, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "\nI have \n\nno doubt \n\nstated in N. 77, and- but Her Majesty's Government will; learn with extreme surprize – when \n\nall the circumstances are taken into \n\nconsideration, _ that the Original of the_ (printed_) \"Returns relative to Prog - Money (China),\" which accompanied Your Lordship's Despatch \n\nwas never \n\nshown to me, and that I never \n\nIven \n\nheard \n\nof \n\nsuch a \n\npaper, \n\nYour Lordship's Despatch \n\n\"hand \n\nuntil \n\ncame to \n\nI also enclose & Copy of a hell \n\nby Mess \n\nto one \n\nnow at this \n\nLetter addressed Chimmo and Woosnam (the only twor \n\n: the Public Agents place) from which it will be seen_ that those Gentlemen. \n\nwere equally \n\nof \n\nwith myself ignorant of the existence \n\nof nich \n\nsuch a document.\" \n\nI \n\nam quite unable to account_ \n\nfor Captain Balfour's having disguised \n\nme- and also \n\nσ \n\nany \n\nhis \n\nCothagues- \n\nshare in the \n\nfrom This having taken preparation of \n\nunauthorized document. I presume he efsisted under the directions of Lient - General Lieut-General- Sir Hugh Gough, and perhaps the necessary obedience to this immediate - Suferion rendered. it profer the should do so, but that appears to me to be why he should. \n\nNo \n\nin a \n\nreason \n\nsufficient have concealed frome me what be had done, and have allowed me to address Your Lordship, repeatedly, \n\nstyle, that I now feel must have led Her Majesty's Government to think that. I was either interfering with what I had_ \n\nbusiness with, or wilfully practising \n\nMo \n\ndeception..", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217134, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 342, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "our \n\nWe cannot but express surpring at Rose Gentlemen putting forth a Paper in which \n\nJo \n\nwe are \n\nf \n\ndeeply concerned, without our Knowledge_; and we believe without - the Knowledge of the other Public- \n\nAgents \n\nML W \n\nwhose behalf signed this letter. And \n\nwe have \n\nwe \n\nhave \n\nBe tenor to acquaint Your Excellency, for the information of \n\nHer Majesty's Government, that we entirely disown the said Statement, in the framing of which \n\nwe were \n\nhever consulted, and to which, \n\nWe are No \n\nparties.. \n\nWe have Ac. - \n\n(Signed) Benj (Kimmo for himself - \n\nand R. M. Whichels. \n\nRickard Woosnam, for himself and G. A. Malcolm ._ \n\n(True lopar) \n\nMichaw Wooncam \n\n(Copy) \n\nN405 \n\nGentlemen, \n\n་་་་་ད་མེད་ད་མ་བ་ནས་ཚེ་ག་ག་གས་ཁ་དང་། \n\nR \n\nGovernment House, Victoria, \n\n(Honghong ) October 17th, 1843. \n\neferring to \n\nmy \n\nletter to Your \n\naddress N. 187 of the 6th of November, 18412 with which. I sent you a Copy of my Despatch N. 4o to the Warl of Merkeen - Phase to acquaint you, that Her Majesty's Government (apparently \n\nunder some \n\nmisconception as to your duties occasioned. \n\nby the term. Prize. Agent instead. of Public. Agent having been applied. \"to Your appointment in some. \n\ne. of the Official. dreuments of which. Copies were forwarded. \n\nLieut. Colonel. Malcolm, C. B. \n\nNichard Woornam B. Chimme R.M. Whichels Paptain Balfour Explain. Ware. \n\nwith \n\nLate Publie. \n\nEsquires \n\nAgents. Yo", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217139, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 347, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "in \n\nto be. \n\n\"The hands of the Agents, \n\nAgents, or at least supposed. \n\nI believe that a portion of this latter = \n\nin deposit with M- Chimmo. \n\namount is now ins \n\nThat another portion has been, contrary to my exprefsed with and intention, paid by \n\nکی \n\nCaplains Ware and Buisour over to the = Pay Master, and that a third portion has \n\nany Authority that \n\nbeen without. \n\nof carried to England by Mr. Whicheto. \n\nIt seems to me to be \n\nvery \n\nvam dwaré, \n\ndesirable. \n\nwith a new to preventing further references \n\n(which \n\nmay \n\nafter I shall have \n\nquitted China), that the exact proportions of \n\nin the hands of the Agents \n\nthe Agency, \n\njor \n\nothers should be stated; \n\nMr Chimano. \n\nThe Pay Master | M. Whichels: \n\nviz; \n\nThese three ought to amount to $$$ 22,55%-271⁄2 \n\nJ \n\nmray \n\nobserve that I never gave; \n\nMr \n\nWhickels any sort of Instructions. Pegged: \n\n÷ \n\nSin Themas Herbert to instruct. Mr. Whichels \n\nve \n\nwith \n\navv \n\naccount of the:. \n\nto furnish monies that had passed through his = \n\nin order that it might be paid \n\nhands \n\nover \n\nto the Military Chest, but it is needless to = \n\nadd that \n\nmy full intention was that the - Agency should have been reserved. * \n\n\"the delay that has already takin place has solely arisen from the improper \n\nwide \n\nthe team Frigo Agents, instead of \n\nof \n\nPublic Agents, \n\nAgents, but I hope \n\nmy \n\nrecent : \n\ndespatches will set this to rights \n\n(Signed) Hevery Pottinger \n\n23th August 1843 \n\nMA \n\nhue Copy. \n\nRichard Woosh an \n\nN.B. The", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217140, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 348, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "Current \n\nN.P. The preceding Hatement was drason cp by Sir Houry Pettivegor nother accript of the letter and Account Ceevent from the Pub Agents on the 20th of August last . The Cenarts in Red Ink were -filled in by the Public \n\nAgents . \n\nThe \n\nOfficers entitled to share \n\nare \n\nThe late Caph Colin Campbell H. Ms. 18. Regt. \n\nLieut. Col. Malcolm. C.B. \n\n53. \n\nRichard Woonam Eq: Benjamin Chimmo Esse R. M. Whichels Esop \n\nCapla u Balfour . Madras Artillery. Captain Ware. 49 Regr \n\n(Signed) Richard Woosnans. \n\n(Inne (opy) Richard Worman \n\n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217157, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 365, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "from which \n\nwe can reserve the \n\nright \n\nwe \n\nAgencies on the Guns, 4, 4e, which have been disposed of, and brow into the Gineral Account, dated_ the 16th of August last, which had the honor of transmilling to Your Ewettency; or for the Guns \n\nin the Campaign of 18/12. (subsequently sent to Calcutta in the \"Forth.\" Transport) or for the. Nansom of Yang - Chow foo, which \n\nYour Excellency is aware, we to cre \n\nCaptured in the \n\nas \n\ndirected to examine and send to \n\nEngland in excelly, \n\nas we received it \n\nthe \n\nsame state \n\nCity; \n\nfrom that \n\nit being subsequently allowed by Your Excellency to form part of the Six Millions of Indemnity paid at Nanking. Our claim, therefore, of \n\nBollars \n\n8th \n\n$29. 1410.2 the balance in our \n\nfavor \n\nas shown by the Account of \n\nfavor, as shown. \n\nto \n\nwe \n\n\"the 16th of August, before adverted_ \n\nrespectfully submit for. Your rucelleney's Consideration, and directions thereer... \n\nWe have to. \n\n(Signed) Benj : Chimms for himself and _ \n\nR. M. Whichele. Richard. Woornam for himself- \n\nand \n\nG. N. Malcolm . \n\n(True Copy) \n\nNichan Wroman", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217158, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 366, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "Inotonde No2 in despatch \n\nNo 2471843. \n\n#uplicate.. \n\nLitter pond Mess?? Chimme and Woosnamun, Pablie Agents. \n\n11th Nov. 1843. \n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217160, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 368, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "tient Libellen \n\nbrie huch \n\nbut we had bellen \n\nproated arccelain what is deni \n\nے \n\nبرای میکر \n\nThe que lose ha \n\nрож \n\nthe FC. \n\nI to this dreaming \n\ny \n\nTy \n\ny my \n\npowreyong I \n\n777 N \n\nAng \n\ngrosso ou le mon \n\nN.1. \n\nA Statement showing the Total. Amount of Agencies due to the late Public and Custody of Properly captured. \n\nthe care. \n\nAgents for \n\noperations in \n\nᏛᎢ . \n\ndetained during the late 1843. \n\nDollars \n\nди \n\n18,772.11⁄2 \n\nin. China, us per General Account dated the 18th of August. Amount paid into the Treasury at Wonghong - Mr. M. M. Michele, one of the Ryempt. \n\nIm possession. of \n\nR. \n\nAgency on Guns &o., sold at Calcutta \n\ngo \n\nth. \n\nAgents. \n\nnow in \n\nEngland... \n\nthe Sum received, as the. Annsom of Yang-chow_for Guns captured.. at Chapso, Norsing, te. (account\" Sales at Calcutta not yet received)_ \n\nin \n\n$ \n\n3.782.1 \n\n$ 22,554.21⁄2 \n\n4, 410.0 \n\n25,00 0.03 \n\nHonghongz, 11th November, 18143. (Signed) Denis Chimme for himself, and R. Mr Wrichelo \n\n(True Copy) Nichard Wood \n\nG. \n\nRichard Worsnam for \n\nA. Malcolm... \n\nhimself \n\n227 Rong t \n\nFEB 8 \n\nFRECERED \n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217161, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 369, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "227 A \n\nNe 2 \n\nA Return \n\nthe manner. \n\ndistribution \n\nof the Agencies paid into the Treasury at \n\nWongtong by the late Public detained during the late _ Operations in China .. \n\nlate. Public Agents for the care and Custody, of Property exptured_ \n\nTo be paid to Captain. \n\nWare \n\nBalfour \n\nthe Legal Representatives of Captain Campbell.. Rick? Worsnam Esyre \n\n· Lieut: Col: Maledm, C. B. \n\nMr Chimme \n\nWhichele \n\nThe Amount for Mr. Chimme is ... \n\nWhichelo \n\nbut as Mr. Which to holds. \n\nthey have to reerive \n\nThe sum paid into the Treasury, is \n\n} Agents for \n\nThe Army \n\nAgent for \n\nthe Crown \n\n} Agents for the Grown. { \n\n} Agents for the Navy { \n\n$4,372.62 \n\n4,373.0% \n\nDollars \n\n$4.373.36 \n\n4,373.11⁄2 \n\n3,685.2ź \n\n6 88.2 \n\n688.2 \n\n$.965.6 \n\nHongkong, 11th November, 18/13. \n\nDollars \n\n8th \n\n$18.772.14 \n\n$18,772. 11⁄2 \n\n$8.745. 7 (Signed) Richard Wesinam for himself and G. A. Malacho \n\n3,782.1 \n\nTh \n\n- jointly as above. _ $ 4.963. 6 \n\nBenj . Chimms for himself and Mrs Agents for the Royal and Indian Way \n\n-(True Copy): Michard Morrnain \n\nVED \n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217162, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "page_number": 370, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "No: 3 \n\nཨཀཱརཾ \n\nthe Random \n\nThe amount actically received. \n\nof Ningpo is \n\nVizi \n\nBy. W. Chimine \n\nrealization of Cush \n\nof \n\nCaptains Balfour & Ware \n\nditto\". \n\nMr. Whichele. \n\nditto. \n\nKay 368 \n\non account 368 \n\n8 0 7 3/8\" \n\nFF 22. \n\n1844. \n\nCollars \n\n65,525.1 31,4154 \n\n33,870. \n\n+4 \n\nthe \n\nBy W. Chimme. Ransom of various Cargoes of \n\nMerchandize, and Junks(not \n\nincluding duties on Exports and \n\nImports. \n\nCaptains Balfour & Ware \n\nBy Captain Campbell From the lawnbrokers at Chinhaus. \n\n$24325.3 \n\n22.3 \n\n31,516x4 \n\n6970. 20,9750 $,000. \n\n4.-7 \n\n$93.999-2 \n\nBrought down $130,808, 1 \n\n93.999\" $224,807.3 \n\nN. B. The above agrees exactly with the General Account dated the 16\" Caugust, 18463. \n\nbetweene \n\nThe difference be \n\nthe amount claimed: by the kingpochople \n\nand the sun realized \n\nنماز \n\n$250,000 \n\n224,807 \n\n$23,193 \n\nwhich may be accounted for in the difference \n\nthe valice of the Irace, thus; - \n\nIt produced at the rate of 1200 Cash per Follar. It was received at the rate of 1000 Cash per \n\nHongking, \n\n11th Not: 1843 \n\nTrue Copy. \n\nNichard Worrnam \n\nDollar. \n\n$ 1 3 0,8 0 8.0 156949.0 26,161.0 \n\ndifferences $26 \n\n(Signed; Bonj\" Chumms.) \n\nRichard Woosiram,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 219235, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-007 - Sir John Davis - 1844", "page_number": 84, "title": "CO129-007 - Sir John Davis - 1844", "content_text": "\nat- a arcoderate fixed duty, \n\nlarge \n\nW \n\nso may \n\nand \n\nthat. \n\nshow be raised. \n\nat-Mong by wantrouting, the Drug at Mong Mong must I this in be abandoned as illasny. The Legal admission- of Chiund ride Chinas by the \"Prupour according. \n\nlottie best inz \n\n- forucation Scan obtain is notat- \n\nW \n\nA piv \n\nbable; \n\nlut \n\never we co \n\nshe traffic \n\nin Opune legalized the tradus \n\nhave declared \n\nancy duty \n\nshey \n\nwould nothay in Hong Kong theyvau \n\nkeep their large Receiving. Ships the \n\nwhole \n\n1.0 \n\nvir \n\nyear \n\navy \n\nround i \n\n- HongKong \n\nother harbor, or transhipe \n\nthe Opiano from the vessels which- \n\ncerway \n\npha. Daug from Bacigal. and Bombay to this place - on \n\nboard- the smatter vessels which. proceed along the woars, to sett, \n\ndeposit it-at-War up va \n\nAmoy, \n\nNamisa, \n\nor \n\nChimno, Chinchu, Chutan. \n\nor \n\nWorsung \n\n82 which \n\nin the \"peccionig, ship's unch lie ie pluse fags or stations the whole \n\nyear \n\npound. I sitt avit di sci \n\nquestion of raising. \n\nof me. \n\nا به دو گری اور \n\nthe \n\nMerry \n\nKing from the introduction of Opium for smoking is the island other by famung out she Dung or otherwise \n\nof the accorality \n\nindependevot \n\nurality of the question of the Gormement deviving \n\nincecues from a vicius indulgence); so long as the Excinese Geveniment fuotiles the \n\nintrodication \n\n0. \n\nمجھے \n\nmake use ital \n\nof Opium \n\nxx \n\nCapital \n\nthe least, \n\nthe use \n\nOffence, it would not to say be seencliy of out to encourage of this destructives, and poisomus \n\nstimulant in Me \n\nZ PZI \n\nMungking. \n\nThe total revenue tobe expected from \n\ncio any \n\nopinion-camust- \n\n· Colony in exceed ## 10,000 pacuum \n\nat \n\nand to obtaine \n\nthis amount several youns arust elapse \n\nunder the most fecerrable reizumskruers, \n\nhe \n\n6 per Ceutia side shers \n\nExperiditure \n\nat", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-007 - Sir John Davis - 1844.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 224577, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 483, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "24\n\nREPORT ON\n\nbeing raised to sustain a regular Government Establishment on the scale now adopted, and which, indeed, is far beyond the present or perspective wants of the island community. Under the most favourable circumstances, there may possibly, some years hence, be obtained from the markets, the rent of building-land £5000 to £7000 per annum. Licenses, fines, and fees of every description, may realize hereafter about £1000 per annum. The levy of a tonnage duty would not yield more than £500 to £1000 per annum, if it did not drive away the few ships that now enter the harbour; it is not probable that vessels would pay sixpence per ton merely to call for orders, when they can lie in Macao Roads and daily communicate with Hong Kong. A registration or license for each male Chinese resident on the island, might, if there were a more respectable class of inhabitants in the colony, produce £600 to £1000 a-year. Neither auction duties, stamps, or any of the other ordinary sources of taxation, would, under present circumstances, yield any revenue worth consideration.\n\nThe idea that the Chinese Government will sanction the introduction of opium into China at a moderate fixed duty, and that a large revenue may then be raised by warehousing the drug at Hong Kong, must, I think, be abandoned as illusory. The legal admission of opium into China by the Emperor, according to the best information I can obtain, is not at all probable. But even were the traffic in opium legalized, the traders have declared they would not pay any duty at Hong Kong. They can keep their large receiving-ships the whole year round in Hong Kong, or in any other harbour, or transship the opium from the vessels which convey the drug from Bengal and Bombay to this place, on board the smaller vessels, which proceed along the coast to sell or deposit it at Whampoa, Namoa, Amoy, Chimmo, Chin-Chu, Chusan, or Woosung, in the receiving-ships which lie in those bays or stations the whole year round.\n\nI will not discuss the question of raising a revenue in Hong Kong from the introduction of opium for smoking in the island, either by farming out the drug, or otherwise. Independent of the morality or immorality of the question of Government deriving an income from a vicious indulgence, so long as the Chinese Government prohibits the introduction, and makes the use of opium a capital offence, it would not, to say the least, be seemly of us to encourage the use of this destructive and poisonous stimulant in Hong Kong.\n\nThe total revenue to be expected from this colony, cannot, in my opinion, exceed £10,000 per annum; and to obtain this amount, several years must elapse, under the most favourable circumstances.\n\nThe per contra side shows an expenditure at this moment, for mere civil establishment, salaries and wages, at the rate of £50,000 per annum, irrespective of the cost of any public works, roads, and buildings, which is estimated at £50,000 per annum for several years; independent, also, of the Consular charges of £30,000 per annum, and of the army and navy.\n\nThe whole showing a yearly drain on the British exchequer of half a million pounds sterling (see Documentary Appendix).\n\nAnd here it may be necessary to remove an erroneous assertion, that this heavy yearly charge is only a portion of the revenue that England derives from the China trade.\n\n25\n\n476\n\nThe revenue which is obtained from tea is paid by the people of England, who buy and consume the tea. It might as well be said that England derives revenue from the West Indies furnished by the coffee and sugar consumed in the United Kingdom. The incidence of taxation is on the last purchaser of the taxed article. The tea merchant of London adds to the invoice cost of the tea bought at Canton, the freight to England, the insurance, interest of money, warehousing, customs duty levied in England, and the fair profits of trade on every chest of tea he may sell to the grocer, who then regulates the price at which he can afford to sell a pound of tea to his customer, who finally pays the whole charges, taxes, and profits to the several parties before he drinks his tea.\n\nThe revenue derived from the China trade is paid by the people of England; the merchant who carries on the trade does not pay a shilling of it. It will be for Her Majesty's Ministers to decide whether, on a review of the whole case, there be any justification for spending half a million sterling annually on this coast.\n\nAs a general principle, colonies that will not pay at least the expense of their civil government are not worth maintaining. There does not appear any reason why Hong Kong should be an exception to this rule. There is not, as has been fancifully supposed, any analogy whatever between Hong Kong and Gibraltar. Hong Kong commands nothing: a glance at the chart will show that the navigation of the China seas is perfectly independent of Hong Kong; even the entrance of the Canton river is not controlled by Hong Kong. It is not possible, by any outlay of money, to make the island a fortress; and it is commanded by the opposite shore of the mainland. But supposing several millions sterling were spent in fortifying Hong Kong, and half a million annually expended for its garrison, the cui bono would constantly recur: from a Chinese enemy, the island has nothing to apprehend even at present; no European or American state would think of capturing Hong Kong, for it would be valueless to them; and if mere glory were sought by the acquisition, they must be aware the fame would be of short continuance, as troops and ships from India, from Australia, and from all our stations eastward of the Cape of Good Hope, would soon recapture the place or starve out the garrison.\n\nBut Gibraltar is differently circumstanced; it effectually commands the narrow entrance to the Mediterranean, and, together with the fortresses and havens of Malta and Corfu, gives England a preponderating power in that great European sea, which is becoming daily of more and more value in her intercourse with the Anglo-Eastern Empire. Moreover, Gibraltar is a valuable commercial entrepôt; at one period £1,000,000 sterling of cotton goods were exported through Gibraltar into Spain.\n\nAs a fortress, Gibraltar is perfect; it is impregnable. The revenue of Gibraltar is fully adequate to its civil government, and averages upwards of £30,000 per annum. The military expenses incurred by garrisoning Gibraltar saves the constant maintenance of a large fleet in the Mediterranean, preserves the balance of power, and materially helps to keep the peace of Europe.\n\nThe remarks applicable to Gibraltar, are also applicable to Malta and the Ionian Islands, both of which stations not only pay their whole...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 227144, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "page_number": 168, "title": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "content_text": "Of the petty jurymen before whom the conviction took place, declaring that had they been aware of certain facts connected with these trials, and which have since been brought to light, their knowledge, they would not have found the above-mentioned prisoners guilty.\n\nLetter from Mr. Gaskell.\n\nVictoria, Hong Kong, 14th June, 1848.\n\nSin Lam Apat and Leang Ashin and Cheang-cho-eu.\n\nAt the request of the Gentlemen of the Jury who tried these Prisoners on the 24th January last, before the High Court of Admiralty, on the charge of piracy committed at Chimmo Bay on board the \"Omega\", I have the honor to forward to you the enclosed Petitions and respectfully to request that you will be pleased to lay the same before His Excellency the Governor for his favorable consideration.\n\nOf the three jurymen who have not signed the certificates, five are absent from the Colony, and one of them is now dead.\n\nThe Honorable,\n\nI have, &c,\n\n(Signed) Spur. Gaskell.\n\nMajor William Caine, H.M.'s Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.\n\nPetition of Lam Apat and Leang Achin.\n\nTo His Excellency Samuel George Bonham, Governor, Commander-in-Chief, Vice Admiral, Plenipotentiary, &c. &c. of Her Majesty's Colony of Hongkong.\n\nThe Humble Petition of Lam Apat, and Leang Achin at present prisoners under sentence of transportation for Life, for attack and piracy committed on board the", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 227145, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "page_number": 169, "title": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "content_text": "to \n\nschooner called the \"Caroline\" at Chimme Bay, \n\nin the mouth of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.\n\nSheweth\n\nThat\n\nPetitioners were on\n\nthe twenty-fourth\n\nday of January last brought up and tried before the Honourable the Commissioners of the High Court Admiralty of England held at Hongkong aforesaid\n\nof the said twenty-fourth day of January last charged with attack and piracy committed at Choimme Bay in the month of February one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven on board the Schooner called the \"Caroline\" belonging to Messieurs Dent and Company of Hongkong aforesaid.\n\nThat\n\nYour Petitioners were thereupon convicted of the said attack and piracy as aforesaid, and were sentenced to be transported for the term of their natural lives.\n\nThat your Petitioners upon the evidence of Too Apo, a common informer and a man of unprincipled character, who admitted that he himself was engaged in the said piracy at Chimmo Bay aforesaid; that the evidence given by the said Too Apo, and upon which your Petitioners were found guilty was to the effect or in substance as follows; that is to say,\n\nToo Apo was formerly a fisherman, he knew the three Prisoners (the said Lam Apat, Leang Ashin, and Cheong Ahseen alias Cheang Asov) Witness said to him he had an armed boat, belonging to himself, went with him and the two other prisoners (Lam Apat and Leang Achin). Witness went to Chimme Bay in one boat, the prisoners in another that boat had three guns, two of iron and one of brass - there were provisions on board, fish, vegetables, rice and several articles – also two pigs which Witness supplied, and for which he was to receive a share in the piracy - Witness was in the boat that attacked the large Schooner - Acco was not there; they took about", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 227148, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "page_number": 172, "title": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "content_text": "M 169\n\nChoen, alias ... further imprisonment.\n\nDated at Victoria this eighth day of June in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.\n\nJury (Signed) W. Senony, J. Meredith, R. B. Sherard, Robt. Duncan, Henry Hart, Duddell, G. Moses, Mr W. McIver, Br Ciles.\n\nA200 - Petition of Choong Choen, alias Cheong\n\nTo His Excellency Samwel George Bonham, Governor, Commander in Chief, Vice Admiral Plenipotentiary &c, &c, of Her Majesty's Colony of Hongkong.\n\nThe Humble Petition of Cheong Choen, alias Cheong Asse, at present a prisoner under sentence of three years imprisonment with hard labour as an accessary to the piracy committed on board the schooner called the \"Omega\" at Chimmo Bay in the mouth of February, one thousand eight hundred and forty Seven.\n\nSheweth\n\nThat your Petitioner was on the twenty fourth day of January last brought up and tried before the Honorable the Commissioners of the High Court of Admiralty of England, held at Hongkong aforesaid on the said twenty fourth day of January last, charged with having been engaged in the piracy on board the schooner called the \"Conego\" belonging to Messieurs Jardine Mattison and Company of Hongkong aforesaid.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 227149, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "page_number": 173, "title": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "content_text": "That your Petitioner was thereupon convicted of being an accessory before the fact to the said act of piracy, and was sentenced to be imprisoned for three years with hard labour, and that the said Lam Apat and Leang Achin were acquitted of the said charges.\n\nThat your Petitioner was convicted solely upon the evidence of Te Ape, a common informer and a man of unprincipled character, who admitted that he himself was engaged in the said piracy at Chimms Bay aforesaid—that the evidence given by the said Te Ape upon which your Petitioner was convicted was to the effect, that is to say, \"Witness went to Chimme Bay in one boat, and the prisoners in another—that boat had three guns, provisions of iron and one of brass thereon board, fish, vegetables, rice, and several other articles—also two pigs which Aoo supplied, and was to share in the piracy, for which he was to receive a share.\n\n\"Witness was in the boat that attacked the large schooner. Aoo was not there. They took about fifty chests of Opium which they brought to Fan to-moon and there divided. Another boat was hired there which brought forty chests to Hongkong, where the three prisoners were then present puts into Aoo's boat—the three prisoners received more than two chests of Opium, besides other things, as said. Too Apo and Aloo received more than two chests.\n\n\"For Apeo found guilty of being an accessory before the fact, the substance of the evidence was as follows—that Too Apo, formerly a fisherman, now an informer, he knew the three Prisoners (the said Lam Apat, Leang Ashin, and your Petitioner). Asoo (meaning your Petitioner) said to him he had an armed boat belonging to himself—Witness went with him and the two others to Chimme Bay to attack a schooner for money.\n\nThat the said informer Too Apo has since been found guilty of extorting money from persons under threats of intimidation, to the effect that unless he paid a certain sum of money, he would charge the parties with having committed acts of piracy, and who being so convicted on such charge, has been sentenced to hard labour for three years in Her Majesty's Jail of Victoria, in the Colony of Hongkong.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228147, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "page_number": 451, "title": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "content_text": "444\n\n18 May 1847.\n\n[ 6 ]\n\nR. M. Martin, Esq. was likely to arise, it would be more injurious to our trade with China than the Government to a certain decree acknowledging the trade—Certainly not; our main trade at present is in tea, and the Chinese are as much dependent upon the sale of tea as we are upon the purchase of it. During the war, when we were capturing their cities, the tea trade went on as usual; therefore the efforts of the Chinese government to put down the opium trade would not affect our trade.\n\n3950. You do not think that a state of things which would lead to a piratical system in China would be injurious to our trade?—I do not perceive that it would have that effect.\n\n3951. You admit that the people would have opium; then if the government did all it could to suppress the opium trade, must not the result of their carrying out their views be a piratical state of things?—It would lead probably to severe contests, as in the recent melancholy case, where two vessels were cut off at Chimmoo Bay; but probably the Government of this country would be bound to interfere to prevent its flag being used for the purpose of smuggling opium into China against the laws of that empire.\n\n3952. Mr. Ewart.] Have any other means occurred to you of extending our trade with China?—I think a great deal may be done by opening collateral intercourse with the nations surrounding China. The first country to which I would beg the attention of the Committee would be Japan; we had formerly a factory in Japan, and in 1613 the Emperor of Japan granted a treaty of privileges to this country of a most favourable nature. I have discovered in the British Museum a copy of that treaty, a translation of which I beg to give in. It is written in the Firogane character, and gives us perfect freedom of access for all goods to Japan. We were ultimately compelled to abandon that factory by the aggressions of the Dutch, but for many years the Japanese government retained the English factory for them. I think it is possible to re-open our intercourse with Japan on the basis of this treaty, and that a mission, undertaken as Great Britain ought to undertake it, would be effectual in obtaining for us even better terms than the Dutch now have at Nangasaki. I will hand in the translation of the treaty. (The same was delivered in. Vide Appendix.)\n\n3953. This original writing is still intelligible to the Japanese?—Yes.\n\n3954. And therefore this instrument might be the basis of a negotiation with them?—Yes; the Japanese are very strict in adhering to promises.\n\n3955. How has the treaty been translated?—The translation is along with the original in the British Museum. A letter was also written from the Emperor of Japan, accompanying that treaty, to the King of Great Britain. There is an old translation of that, of which I will hand in a copy. (The same was delivered in. Vide Appendix.) The position of Japan, as evidenced upon this skeleton map (producing a map), shows how advantageous would be the intercourse with reference to China, and to the intermediate peninsula of Corea. Corea is a peninsula of about 500 miles long and 200 broad, with a fine climate, an excellent soil, and an industrious people; it would afford to us a considerable outlet for our manufactures. A harbour named Chosan, near the south-east extremity of the peninsula, has been visited recently by Sir Edward Belcher. It is a harbour to which the Japanese resort for trade with Corea; and as Corea does not belong to China, but has merely a ceremonial of investiture on the accessions of its sovereigns, it would be perfectly free for us to enter into commercial arrangements with Corea without any negotiation with the Chinese government. On Lord Macartney's mission in 1792, he was instructed to open a communication with Japan, Cochin China, and all countries, but the state of affairs prevented it. The French have recently sent a mission to Japan, but more complimentary than for the purpose of any commercial intercourse. The Americans have recently sent a mission, but they have been refused intercourse, for they are viewed as inferior in rank to the English, and probably it would not be deemed courteous to give the Americans access to Japan, when England has not yet applied. I learned at Java recently, from a Dutch gentleman who had returned from Japan, that the Japanese were expecting a mission from England, that they had translated the whole account of our war with China, and that it would be a favourable opportunity to make an impression upon the Japanese authorities, and to obtain commercial intercourse with Japan. Those islands may be termed the Great Britain of the China seas; they contain about 35,000,000 of inhabitants far more civilized than the Chinese, whom they hold in contempt; in fact they only permit six Chinese junks a year to visit them at one port, Nangasaki.\n\n[ 7 ]\n\nthan the Chinese, whom they hold in contempt; in fact they only permit six R. M. Martin, Esq. Chinese junks a year to visit them at one port, Nangasaki.\n\n18 May 1847.\n\n3956. And only one Dutch ship?—Two is the number now.\n\n3957. Have you examined the past and present intercourse between Holland and Japan?—I have reported on it to Her Majesty's Government.\n\n3958. Can you give the Committee any further information as to our former relations with Japan?—We had a factory there, and we were exceedingly well received.\n\n3959. For how long?—From 1613 to 1623. We were then expelled by the conduct of the Dutch, which was somewhat similar to the massacre at Amboyna, and they obliged our people to retreat from Japan.\n\n3960. What is the result of your inquiries into the trade between Holland and Japan?—The trade with Holland has diminished latterly, in consequence of the monopolizing spirit of the Dutch government; they are restricted to a single port at Nangasaki; but if we had free intercourse with the capital, with Jeddo, I think a very large trade might be carried on, not only with Japan, but intermediately with the adjacent places.\n\n3961. When did the ship called the \"Morrison\" go there?—I think the date was 1837; she went there on a mission from Canton, but was unsuccessful; no efforts were made to prosecute it. There is an island marked on that map, called Quelpaart's Island, which is worthy of attention as a trading station.\n\n3962. Is Quelpaart's Island, which is south of the peninsula of Corea, a good trading station? It is. The circumstance of its geographical position renders it most advantageous for a trade with Japan, with Corea, and with China. I understand that the country is fertile, and is covered with cattle; some of our ships visited it during the war, and obtained supplies there. If it were made a commercial trading station under the protection of a 10-gun brig, not expensively established as a colony, I think it would afford the means of trade with all the countries around, and time would indicate its value.\n\n3963. What is its relation to China?—It has no relation to China; it is connected with Corea.\n\n3964. Is it under a kind of feudal investiture?—No, it is a mere appendage to the peninsula of Corea.\n\n3965. Corea you state to be a country connected directly with the crown of China?—Only so far directly that the sovereign of Corea receives his investiture on coming to the throne, and sends annually some present to Pekin. The Coreans carry on trade at Pekin, but they are perfectly independent in their relations, and have been at war with China and with Japan.\n\n3966. Is it something like the Pacha of Egypt and the Turkish government?—It is probably so. It would be a great advantage to our merchants if they had Corea open to them for their traffic.\n\n3967. Quelpaart's Island would be a good position, having on one side China and on another the peninsula of Corea, and as a third side the Japan Islands?—Yes; I am not speaking of it as a colony, but as a trading station.\n\nAfter a few years it might be seen what advantages were realized; but in order to carry on a trade with the northern regions, it would be necessary to repeal the Act which prohibits British ships or subjects going beyond the 32d degree of north latitude.\n\n3968. Is that part of the present stipulation with China?—Not at all; it is a gratuitous Act, restricting ourselves. I never could understand what was the object of preventing British merchants seeking to push their wares into the northern regions. It is an Hong Kong Ordinance, No. 1, of 1846, creating penalties for any ship going beyond the 32d degree of north latitude. Ordinance was founded on an act of the Privy Council here originally.\n\nThe\n\n3969. And not based upon any understanding with the Chinese government?—Upon no treaties. There is another region to which a collateral trade might be carried on, and that is the region of Siam and Cochin China, extending South of China.\n\n3970. There are also the Loo Choo Islands?—They are small; Manchouria would form a station for our coasting traffic. Siam and Cochin China it is estimated contain a population of 50,000,000. We have a treaty with Siam, but it is so imperfect, that it has never been acted upon. It requires ships to take their guns out, &c. It appears to be subject to restrictions which would prevent", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 228154, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "page_number": 458, "title": "CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848", "content_text": "# Board of Trade\n\n451 Appendix. Report on the Island of Hong Kong.\n\n[20]\n\ncarriage, fees, &c., will be reduced, and the cost price thus lessened by one-third to the British consumer; on the other hand the Chinese will be able to purchase at a cheaper rate British manufactures, when they are brought by our vessels to their doors. These and other considerations render it a matter of national importance that our trade with China be diffused over several ports, instead of being confined to Canton, and indicate that it is not desirable that Hong Kong be maintained, even if the assertion be true, as a protection to the trade of Canton.\n\nThere are now five ports open on the coast of China to all European, East Indian, and American vessels. There can be no reason why foreign vessels should discharge cargo at Hong Kong, merely to change cargoes from one vessel to another; and as the Chinese government now, I believe, allows a vessel to sell part of her cargo at one port, and then proceed to another, and will probably ere long form bonded warehouses at each port, there will be still less probability of any trade being established here. It is indeed a delusion or a deception to talk of Hong Kong becoming a commercial emporium, and to liken it to Singapore. The circumstances and position of Hong Kong and Singapore present no resemblance whatever. Hong Kong is a barren rock, producing nothing, not leading to any place, surrounded by no trading or populous communities with various commodities for barter, and disadvantageously situated at the most impoverished part of a coast line of 2,000 miles, and which for half the year is only readily accessible in one direction.\n\nSingapore is most advantageously placed at the southern point of the rich Malayan Peninsula, and at the entrance of the Straits of Malacca, which may be considered the high road between Eastern and Western Asia. It is surrounded by, or lies contiguous to, the most fertile, wealthy, and populous islands and countries in the world. Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Celebes, Macassar, Penang, Siam, Cochin-China, Tonquin, Birmah, &c. The harbour of Singapore is capacious, perfectly sheltered, easy of access from every point of the compass, and never experiencing a tempest. The climate is very salubrious. The island is of great beauty and fertility, with an undulating surface, an area of 120,000 acres, all capable of tillage, and of which 20,000 acres are now under the luxuriant and profitable cultivation of sugar cane, nutmegs, pepper, rice, beetle nut, gambier, cocoa nuts, &c. The sugar made by Mr. Ballastier with a steam engine, or by Mr. Montgomerie by water and cattle mills, is equal in quality to the produce of the West Indies; the nutmeg trees are already yielding abundantly; the black pepper produced during the past year amounted to 38,000 piculs (a picul 133 lbs.), the gambier to 85,000 piculs, and there are 100,000 cocoa-nut trees in full bearing. Live stock, bread, water, and delicious fruit and vegetables of every kind, and at moderate prices, are at all times ready for the shipping, who enjoy the advantage of a perfectly free port; 86 miles of excellent roads have been completed, and extensive communications are in progress; land is being sold in fee simple at a minimum and maximum price of five to ten rupees, or 10s. to 20s. per acre; 50,000 industrious and skilful inhabitants are spreading cultivation in every direction; four companies of Sepoys constitute the sole military force of the island, which has not even a fort for its defence; the revenue in 1842 amounted to rupees 509,087, and the disbursements (including rupees 165,955 for troops, and rupees 49,789 for Bengal and Madras convicts) to rupees 494,029, leaving a surplus of income to the extent of rupees 15,083, and under the able management of the present Governor, Colonel Butterworth, it is one of the most lucrative possessions of the British Crown.\n\nThe remarkably eligible position of Singapore for a commercial emporium led to its establishment as a British colony by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, when there were but a few Malay fishermen on the island, who disputed with the tiger for their occupancy. In 1812 the trade of the colony amounted to 1,000,000£ sterling, in 1824 to 3,000,000£ sterling, and last year, and indeed for several years, the commerce of the island has averaged 5,600,000£ sterling per annum.\n\nThis trade is carried on with many countries: with Great Britain, to the extent of $3,000,000; with Calcutta, $2,800,000; with Java, 1,500,000; with foreign Europe, North and South America, Madras, Bombay, Arabia, Ceylon, Penang, Malacca, Birmah, Siam, Cochin-China, Manilla, Hainan, Formosa, and the whole coast of China; with Sumatra, Borneo, Rhio, the Moluccas, Mauritius, Australasia, &c. Traders from all these places meet by common consent at a central mart close to the Equator, and exchange the productions of Asia for those of Europe and America. It is erroneously supposed that Singapore has been created by its trade with China; such is not the fact. The total import tonnage of Singapore in 1838-39, in square-rigged vessels, was 178,796 tons, of which that from China was 32,860. The native tonnage for the same year was 48,000, of which the Chinese vessels constituted 8,000 tons.\n\nThe Straits produce, which the Chinese require, are brought to Singapore by Malay and other coasting craft who would not proceed to the northward; and the proprietors of the Chinese junks, with whom time is no object, and who go down the coast to the Eastern Archipelago with one monsoon and return with the other, prefer the speculation with their varied cargoes, and the visiting of their countrymen at the different islands.\n\nBut sufficient has been stated to show that there is no analogy whatever between Hong Kong and Singapore, and that the geographical, territorial, and commercial advantages which have contributed to the prosperity of Singapore, are totally and entirely wanting, and can never be created at Hong Kong.\n\n[21]\n\nAppendix.\n\nFinancial Point of View.-There is no apparent prospect of Hong Kong ever yielding any revenue adequate to more than a very small civil government. The limited size and rocky nature of the island, the absence of agriculture, manufactures, or commerce, and the Report on the fluctuating and predatory character of the population, forbid the hope of an income being raised to sustain a regular Government establishment, on the scale now adopted, and which is far beyond the present or prospective wants of the island community. Under the most favourable circumstances there may possibly, some years hence, be obtained from the rent of building land from 5,000£ to 7,000£ per annum; the markets, licences, fines, and fees of every description, may realize hereafter about 1,000£ per annum. Tonnage duty would not yield more than 500£ to 1,000£ per annum, if it did not drive away the few ships that now enter the harbour; it is not probable that vessels would pay 6d. per ton merely to call for orders, when they can lie in Macao roads and daily communicate with Hong Kong. A registration or licence for each male Chinese resident on the island might, if there were a more respectable class of inhabitants in the colony, produce 600£ to 1,000£ a year. Neither auction duties, stamps, or any of the other ordinary sources of taxation, would under present circumstances yield any revenue worth consideration.\n\nThe idea that the Chinese government will sanction the introduction of opium into China at a moderate fixed duty, and that a large revenue may then be raised by warehousing the drug at Hong Kong, must, I think, be abandoned as illusory. The legal admission of opium into China by the Emperor, according to the best information I can obtain, is not at all probable; but even were the traffic in opium legalized, the traders have declared they would not pay any duty in Hong Kong. They can keep their large receiving ships the whole year round in Hong Kong or in any other harbours, or tranship the opium from the vessels which convey the drug from Bengal and Bombay to this place, on board the smaller vessels, which proceed along the coast to sell, or deposit it at Whampoa, Namoa, Amoy, Chimmo, Chin-Chu, Chusan, or Woosung, in the receiving ships which lie in these bays or stations the whole year round. I will not discuss the question of raising a revenue in Hong Kong from the introduction of opium for smoking in the island, either by farming out the drug or otherwise. Independent of the morality or immorality of the question of Government deriving an income from a vicious indulgence, so long as the Chinese government prohibit the introduction and make the use of opium a capital offence, it would not, to say the least, be seemly of us to encourage the use of this destructive and poisonous stimulant in Hong Kong.\n\nThe total revenue to be expected from this colony cannot in my opinion exceed 10,000£ per annum, and to obtain this amount several years must elapse under the most favourable circumstances. The per-contra side shows an expenditure at this moment for mere civil establishment salaries and wages at the rate of 50,000£ per annum, irrespective of the cost of any public works, roads, and buildings, which is estimated at 50,000£ per annum for several years, independent also of the consular charges of 30,000£ per annum, and of the army and navy; the whole showing a yearly drain on the British Exchequer of half a million pounds sterling. (See Documentary Appendix.) And here it may be necessary to remove an erroneous assertion that this heavy yearly charge is only a portion of the revenue which England derives from the China trade.\n\nThe revenue which is obtained from tea is paid by the people of England, who buy and consume the tea. It might as well be said that the West Indies furnished the revenue derived by the British Exchequer from the coffee and sugar consumed in the United Kingdom. The incidence of taxation is on the last purchaser of the taxed article; the tea merchant in London adds to the invoice cost of the tea bought at Canton, the freight to England, the insurance, interest of money, warehousing, customs duty levied in England, and the fair profits of trade on every chest of tea he may sell to the grocer, who then regulates the price at which he can afford to sell a pound of tea to his customer, who finally pays the whole charges, taxes, and profits to the several parties before he drinks his tea. The revenue derived from the China trade is paid by the people of England; the merchant who carries on the trade does not pay one shilling of it.\n\nIt will be for Her Majesty's Ministers to decide whether, on a review of the whole case, there be any justification for spending half a million sterling annually on this coast. Commodore Chads, C.B., who has had extensive experience for many years in China, is of opinion that England would be wise in not establishing any colony in China.\n\nAs a general principle, colonies that will not pay at least the expense of their civil government are not worth maintaining. There does not appear any reason why Hong Kong should be an exception to this rule. There is not, as has been fancifully supposed, any analogy whatever between Hong Kong and Gibraltar. Hong Kong commands nothing; a glance at a chart will show that the navigation of the China seas is perfectly independent of Hong Kong; nay, even the entrance of the Canton river is not controlled by Hong Kong; it is not possible by any outlay of money to make the island a fortress, and it is commanded by the opposite shore of the main land. But supposing several millions sterling were spent in fortifying Hong Kong, and half a million were annually expended for its garrison, the cui bono would constantly recur. From a Chinese enemy the island has nothing to apprehend even at present; no European or American state would think...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-027 - Public Offices - 1848.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 244846, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "page_number": 588, "title": "CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12]", "content_text": "and Dent & Co. \n\nin Chimoo bay. \n\nI was specially employed to trace the pirates & succeeded in apprehending several, only two however were convicted, the others escaping on account of some informality in the indictment. \n\nIn August 1837, I saw a man land in the colony who had a short time previously raised a body of men and taken forcible possession of the town of Cowloong, and who then still held possession of it. I traced him to a house on the Queen's Road and then seized him and another who was discovered in command, and a large number of papers, seals, flags, and other things which showed that Nongstong was their headquarters for enlisting troops. I considered it my duty to take them into custody on this occasion. I was commended by His Excellency the Governor for what I had done, in a letter addressed to the Chief Magistrate dated 10th September 1837.\n\nOn four occasions, I discovered and apprehended persons belonging to the Triad Society who were holding their meetings; on one of which occasions, the whole of their books & papers, containing their rules, secrets, and oaths, were secured.\n\nI have been instrumental in checking the system of combinations among different classes of craftsmen in the Colony by apprehending large bodies of them who had met for the unlawful purpose of passing laws and fixing prices to be observed by all.\n\nIn 1857, a plot was formed", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-068 - Sir Bowring - 1858 [5-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 259256, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-098 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [4-5]", "page_number": 356, "title": "CO129-098 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [4-5]", "content_text": "Belief is well founded there\n\nMy belief\n\nIf\n\ncan be\n\nno\n\ndoubt that\n\nere\n\nlong\n\nthey will not only avoid foreign vessels but will seek opportunity\n\nof attacking the more defenseless\n\nthem.\n\n(Signed) M. A. Bedder,\n\nLt. Wells\n\nCommanding A. Mr. B. B. Draughty, Senior Naval Officer\n\nAmoy.\n\nCopy!\n\nSir,\n\nYou\n\nH. M. S. B. Haughty\n\nAmoy January 21st 1864\n\n343\n\nI have the honor to inform\n\nthat\n\non the 2nd Instant I\n\nproceeded to Ha-tan and Chimmo\n\nthe 4th to Sha-tan on\n\nBay\n\non\n\npiratical expedition\n\nas\n\nreported\n\narrived at Amoy on 5th Instant,\n\nwhich place I found H. M. S.\n\nSwallow\n\nand\n\non\n\nthe 11th Instant\n\nagain proceeded in quest of pirates having proper Chinese\n\nOfficials on board anchored in\n\non 12th Instant\n\na piratical junk on", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-098 - Sir Robinson - 1864 [4-5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 300276, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-178 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [6-8]", "page_number": 17, "title": "CO129-178 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [6-8]", "content_text": "43\n\nin the Villan\n\nrepresenting a robbery of App-li-chan in the Colony by \n\ncrew of an armed junk on the \n\njuntion The Commodore promptly \n\n3rt ultimo.\n\n2.\n\n| despatched Her Majestie's Ship \n\n\"Curlew\" in pursuit of the robber \n\nbut without \n\nany successful result.\n\nLake reported the fort.\n\nto Air Brake Robertson, Her \n\nMajestie's Commul at Contin with \n\nof getting the Chimme\n\nVide\n\nPage of Euclideme\n\n2.3\n\nthe lid of\n\nare here had been \n\nbroken. As Impede Irvanston and \n\nthe Constables\n\nby\n\nwhen I\n\naccompanied could not speak a \n\nChinese, I could get \n\nword.....\n\nMe\n\ninformation beyond what appears in the enclosed papers. I \n\nI have the honour to be, \n\n\"My Lord.\n\nYour Lordship's most obedient humble servant,\n\nI the view\n\nAuthorities to assist\n\nN\n\ncapturing\n\nof\n\nthe offender\n\n4.\n\nOn visiting the Village of \n\nAp-li-chan I inspected the premises where the robbery took place. One panel of the door and \n\nGovernor", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-178 - Governor Hennessy - 1877 [6-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]