[ { "id": 216756, "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": 240, "title": "CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843", "content_text": "\n\nARTICLE XIII. \n\nAll persons, whether natives of China or otherwise, who may wish to convey goods from any one of the five ports of Canton, Foochowfoo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai, to Hong-Kong, for sale or consumption, shall be at full and perfect liberty to do so, on paying the duties on such goods, and obtaining a pass, or port clearance, from the Chinese Custom-house at one of the said ports. Should natives of China wish to repair to Hong-Kong to purchase goods, they shall have free and full permission to do so; and should they require a Chinese vessel to carry away their purchases, they must obtain a pass, or port-clearance, for her at the Custom-house of the port whence the vessel may sail for Hong-Kong. It is further settled, that in all cases these passes are to be returned to the officers of the Chinese Government, as soon as the trip for which they may be granted shall be completed. \n\nARTICLE XIV. \n\nAn English officer will be appointed at Hong-Kong, one part of whose duty will be to examine the registers and passes of all Chinese vessels that may repair to that port to buy or sell goods; and should such officer at any time find that any Chinese merchant-vessel has not a pass, or register, from one of the five ports, she is to be considered as an unauthorized or smuggling vessel, and is not to be allowed to trade, whilst a report of the circumstance is to be made to the Chinese Authorities. By this arrangement, it is to be hoped that piracy and illegal traffic will be effectually prevented. \n\nARTICLE XV. \n\nShould natives of China who may repair to Hong-Kong to trade, incur debts there, the recovery of such debts must be arranged for by the English Courts of Justice on the spot; but if the Chinese debtor shall abscond and be known to have property, real or personal, within the Chinese territory, the rule laid down in the fourth clause of the General Regulations for Trade shall be applied to the case; and it will be the duty of the Chinese Authorities, on appli- cation by, and in concert with, the British Consuls, to do their utmost to see justice done between the parties. On the same principle, should a British merchant incur debts at any of the five ports, and fly to Hong-Kong, the British Authorities will, on receiving an application from the Chinese Govern- ment officers, accompanied by statements and full proofs of the debts, institute an investigation into the claims, and, when established, oblige the defaulter or debtor to settle them to the utmost of his means. \n\nARTICLE XVI. \n\nIt is agreed, that the Custom-house officers at the five ports shall make a monthly return to Canton, of the passes granted to vessels proceeding to Hong- Kong, together with the nature of their cargoes; and a copy of these returns will be embodied in one return, and communicated once a-month to the proper English officer at Hong-Kong. The said English officer will, on his part, make a similar return or communication to the Chinese Authorities at Canton, showing the names of Chinese vessels arrived at Hong-Kong, or departed from that port, with the nature of their cargoes; and the Canton Authorities will apprize the Custom-houses at the five ports, in order that, by these arrange- ments and precautions, all clandestine and illegal trade, under the cover of passes, may be averted. \n\nXVII, OR ADDITIONAL ARTICLE. \n\nRelating to British Small Craft. \n\nVarious small vessels belonging to the English nation, called schooners, cutters, lorchas, &c., &c., have not hitherto been chargeable with tonnage dues. \n\nIt is now agreed, in relation to this class of vessels which ply between Hong-Kong and the city, and the city and Macao, that if they only carry passengers, letters, and baggage, they shall, as heretofore, pay no tonnage dues; but if these small craft carry any dutiable articles, no matter how small the quantity may be, they ought, in principle, to pay their full tonnage dues. But this class of small craft are not like the large ships which are engaged in foreign trade; they are con- stantly coming and going; they make several trips a month, and are not like the large foreign ships, which, on entering the port, cast anchor at Whampoa. If we were to place them on the same footing as the large foreign ships, the charge would fall unequally; therefore after this, the smallest of these craft shall be rated at 75 tons, and the largest not to exceed 150 tons; whenever they enter the port (or leave the port with cargo) they shall pay tonnage dues at the rate of one mace per tou register. If not so large as 75 tons, they shall still be considered and charged as of 75 tons; and if they exceed 150 tons, they shall be considered as large foreign ships, and, like them, charged tonnage dues, at the rate of five mace per register ton. Foochow and the other ports having noue of this kind of intercourse, and none of this kind of small craft, it would be unnecessary to make any arrangement as regards them. \n\nThe following are the rules by which they are to be regulated :- 1st. Every British schooner, cutter, lorcha, &c., shall have a sailing letter or register in Chinese and English, under the seal and signature of the Chief Superintendent of Trade, describing her appearance, burthen, &c., &c. \n\n2nd. Every schooner, lorcha, and such vessel, shall report herself, as large vessels are required to do, at the Bocca Tigris; and when she carries cargo, she shall also report herself at Whampoa, and shall, on reaching Canton, deliver up her sailing letter or register to the British Consul, who will obtain permission from the Hoppo for her to discharge her cargo, which she is not to do without such permission, under the forfeiture of the penalties laid down in the 3rd clause of the General Regulations of Trade. \n\n3rd. When the inward cargo is discharged, and an outward one (if in- tended) taken on board, and the duties on both arranged and paid, the Consul will restore the register or sailing letter, and allow the vessel to depart. \n\nThis Supplementary Treaty, to be attached to the original Treaty of Peace, consisting of sixteen Articles, and one additional Article relating to small vessels, is now written out, forming, with its accompaniments, four pamphlets, and is formally signed aud sealed by their Excellencies the British Plenipo- tentiary, and the Chinese Imperial Commissioner, who, in the first instance, take two copies each, and exchange them, that their provisions may be immediately carried into effect. At the same time, each of these high functionaries, having taken his two copies, shall duly memorialize the Sovereign of his nation; but the two countries are differently situated as respects distance, so that the will of the one Sovereign can be known sooner than the will of the other. It is now therefore agreed, that on receiving the gracious Assent of the Emperor in the Vermilion Pencil, the Imperial Commissioner will deliver the very document containing it into the hands of his Excellency Hwang, Judge of Canton, who will proceed to such place as the Plenipotentiary may appoint, and deliver it to the English Plenipotentiary, to have and to hold. Afterwards, the Sign Manual of the Sovereign of England having been received at Hong-Kong, likewise gra ciously assenting to and confirming the Treaty, the English Plenipotentiary will despatch a specially appointed officer to Canton, who will deliver the copy con- taining the Royal Sign Manual to his Excellency Hwang, who will forward it to the Imperial Commissioner, as a rule and a guide to both nations for ever, and as a solemn confirmation of our Peace and Friendship. \n\nA most important Supplementary Treaty. \n\nSigned and scaled at Hoomun-Chae, on the Eighth day of October, 1843, corresponding with the Chinese date of the Fifteenth day of the Eighth moon, of the 23rd year of Taoukwang. \n\n(L.S.) \n\nHENRY POTTINGER. \n\nSeal and Signature of the \n\nChinese Plenipotentiary, \n\nPußers \n\nPage 240Page 241", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-001 - Sir Hug Cough-s China Military Correspondences - 1841-1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217062, "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": 270, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "\nSir. \n\nNeived \n\n25th Lugust 1863. \n\nHenry \n\nBettinger \n\n1 Midlotine \n\nbending the local newspapers to \n\nRepers accougements made for \n\nMezmu mendel B the Gr Bendrag. \n\nhutboard any \n\nauta Bentenges the Benting stone be dona a \n\nIn Contract - Ses Pho \n\nAnd according & by 2012. ofs Se \n\nThis rugher 's go to the le hits referase \"tote Lens Charting at \n\nF. \n\nNo, 75 VOL, XL \n\nIn 1289 Hougiong \n\nTHE FRIEND OF CHINA. \n\nQAZEE. \n\nAND \n\nNOTIFICATION. \n\nPUBLISHED VERY TICRSDAY MORNING. \n\nVICTORIA, THURSDAY AUGUST 24TH, 1843. \n\nof Hong-Kong became a bonda file Possessor of the British Crown, and from which day the garment of \n\nconimento. \n\nIn obedience to the intimation conveyed in one of the preceding Extracts, is Excellency, te Governor in Couch is pleased to appoint, \n\nTi publication of the Hongkong Garents derivable from Such Land will only be held to zette under the authority of Government, will be discontinued from this date: but all public orders and notifications appearing in \"The Friend of China and Hongkong Gazette,\" with the signatures of duly an- thorized Functionaries of the Government are still to be considered as official. \n\nBy order, \n\nJ. ROBT: MORRISON, Acting Secretary and Treasurer. Hongkong, March, 23rd. 1812. \n\nPROCLAMATION. \n\nBy virtue of the Authority vested in mic by the Queen's Letters Patent, dated at Westminster, on the 5th day of April, 1643, and also by Instructions issued to re under Her Majesty's Royal Signct and Sigu Manual, of date the 6th day of April 1643, Do hereby nominate and appoint the undercutiones Gentlemen to be Members of the Legislative and Executive Councils of the Colony of Hongkong, ponding Her Majesty's Pleasure: \n\nALEXANDER ROGENT JOHNSTON, Esq., Registrar & Assistant to Her Majesty's Chief Superintendent of Trade, &c. \n\nJOHN ROBERT MORRISON, Esq., Chinese Secretary to Her Majesty's Chief Supe rintendent and the Cevvarmement of Hongkong. \n\nWILLIAM CAINE, Esq., Major in Her Majesty's 26th Regiment of Fool, and Chief Magis- trate of the Colony of Hongkong. \n\n| Price $1 { monthly, Į \n\n$12 yearly, \n\nCHINESE RE-ARRANGEMENT OF TARIFF, UNDER CLASSES OF GOODS. \n\nZitle. \n\nTARIFF OF DUTIES, TO BE LEVIED AT THE FIVE PORTS OF CANTON, &c., &c., AS NEWLY ESTABLISHED. \n\nA. T. GORDON Esq., Land Offer, 4c. \n\nCAPTAIN DE Havnaaso, H. 1's. 55 Regt. \n\nAssistant Surveyor, and \n\nThe Duties which, it is agreed shall be paid upon Goods, im Charles Edward STEWART. Est, Treasurer ported, and exported by England, at the Five Ports of Customs and Financial Secretary to Government, of Canton. Fuchow, Amoy, Ningo, and Shanghai, are here \n\nto be a Committee; assisted by Richard Burgass, Esq.⠀ \n\nClass I-Exported Oilman's Stores (Oil, Wax, Alum, \n\nLegal Adviser to Government, to inquire into the stated in classified order. equitable claims of all Folders of Lands, to define the chsses to which particular lots shall henceforward || belong, as well as their future amaal rout, and to ar range for the disposal of further lots regarding which | Her Majesty's lustructions prescribe and it is our further Will and Pleasure, that no such unds shall be sukl, be lon, except at public action, and that at drecy such auction, the Lands to be then sold or \n\n\"let, pul op at a reserved, or minimum, price, equal to the fair reasonable price and value or an \n\nmal rent therent. \" \n\nBy Order of His Execlercy the Governer, and Commander in Chief of Hong Kong, \n\nRICHARD WOOSNAM. Ofcinting Deputy Colonial Secretary, Government Honze, Victoria, Hong-Kong, \n\n21st of August, 1843. \n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. \n\nTHE Provincial Government of Canton, having issued a Proclamation, requiring| \n\nSulphur, &c.) ARTICLES. \n\nAlum, ., White Alum-formerly White \n\nAlum and Bluestone \n\nCassia Oil \n\ndo. \n\ndo. \n\nCorresponding to No., in Alphabeticat, i 4, English List. \n\nAniseed Oil, not formerly Contained in the Tarif \n\nClass II-Exported Spices, Ten, &c. \n\nARTICLES. Tea, (formerly divided into fine and Native black, \n\nand fine and Native green, Teas Anniseed, Stur Musk \n\nThe above Gentlemen are to be styled, in addi- that all Foreign Vessels, inward bound, Capoor Cutchery tion to their usual addresses, The Honorable, in all | shall report themselves at the Bogue Furts, Caiphor \n\nOfficial and other documents. \n\nGOD SAVE THE QUEEN. \n\n+ \n\nClass III--Exporteil Drugs. \n\non, and after, the 1st day of the 8th Chine- Arsenic, under different Chinese names se nonth--which falls on the 5th of Ap meet? C \n\nZ \n\nComalvan or Ogesia Buuts, hot femerty in Tarui Dated at the Govenment House, at Victoria Hongkong, this 21st day of August 1843, in the Vessels are apprized accordingly, and direct-China Root seventh year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queened to contorin to this Regulation. \n\nCubebs not formerly in Tariff Victoria, &c. \n\nThis Notification is not intended to super- sede that which was published in the Hong- Galingal Kong Gazette of the 17th of August-as Hartall \n\nHENRY POTTINGER. \n\nGOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS. \n\nDumve the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Mal colo, C. B.-or until further order-the Honorable J. R. Morrison, Esq., is to efficiate as Colonial \n\nSecretary. \n\nRichard Burgass, Esq.. is appointed Legal adviser to the Governcient of Hongkong, and to officiate as Clerk of the Legislative Council, pending the pica- sure of Nor Majesty's Government. \n\nBy order of His Excellency the Governor, and Commander in Chief of Longkong. \n\nRICHARD WOOSNAM. \n\nGovernment House, Victoria, Hongkong, 21st August, 1913. \n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. His Excellency the Governor having had ander his \n\ncoretul consideration the Instructions which have been received from Ier Majesty's Government on the Subject of Crown Lands in this Colony, is pleased to plish the following Extracts of a Despatch frora Her Majesty's Principal Snoretary of State for the Colonies. \n\n\"St HENRY POTTINGER is to abstain from \"alienating any of the kund on the Island, either in \"perpetuity, or for any time of greater length thum may be necessary to induce and enable the Tenants to rect substantial buildings, &c.\" \n\nBut with the general prohibition against the alie \"nation of Crown Lands, and with the generat refusal to sanction any such Grants as may have already \"been made. Lord Stanley would coment a promise, that insediately on the Establishment of a regular \"Government in the place, as inquiry should be insti. *luted, by some competent and impatial authority, into the equitable Claims of all Holders of Land, te #a confirmation, either permanent or teraporary, of \"their Tales, so far as they unit be courmed con- sistently with a just regard to the interests of Society \"at large,\" \n\n| \n\nthe unner of, and rules for, Vessels re- Rhubarb porting themselves will hereafter be publish- Turmeric ed-but is meant to provide for the Pro- vincial Authorities having unexpectedly is- sued the Proclamation above adverted to. \n\nBy Order, \n\nRICHARD WOOSNAM. \n\nGovernment House, Victoria, Hongkong, 18th August, 1843. \n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. \n\nIs Excellency the Governor and Commanderia Chief bring about to protest for a short time to Macao on the Public Service, is pleased to see that ho will continue to carry on all his duties as Governor, &c., during his absence. \n\nAll Letters and Reports to be sem as usual to the Go sertunem House where they will be forwarded. \n\nBy order, \n\nRICHARD WOOSNAM. \n\nGovernment House, Victoria, Hong-Kong, 24th August 1848. \n\nGOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. \n\nARTICLES. \n\nClass IV-Exported Sundries, Bangles (glass armlets) not formely in Tariff Bamboo Screens, and Bamboo Ware \n\nCorals, Native or false coral, not formely in Tariff Crackers, and fireworks of all kinds (formerly \n\nclassed as rockets, &c.] \n\nFans (feather fans, &c.) not formerly in the Tarit Glass, Glass ware of all kinds formerly classed as \n\nNative crystal ware \n\nGlass beads, or False pearls Kittysols or paper Umbrellas. Marble, Marble slabs, not formerly in Tarifl'. Rice Paper pictures Paper Fans \n\nPearls (false) not formerly in Tariff \n\nF \n\nB3 \n\nON \n\nClass F.-Erpedort Painter's Stores, de, dr. Brass Leaf \n\nGamboge \n\nRed Lead \n\nGlue, as fish glue, cow skin glue, &c. Paper, Stationery \n\nIn the Goods of Thomas Elworthy, and Tin foil Samuel Dyer, lately carrying on trade under Vermillion. the name and firin of Elworthy and Dyer, at Hongkong, and deceased intestate. \n\nNoruz is hereby given, that administration ofj the Estate and effects of the above named intostates will be forthwith granted to Angus Fletcher, trad- ing under the name and firm of Fletcher, Larkins & Co., at Macao, and to Willinn Gemmell, and firm of W. & T. Gemninell, & Co., at Hongkong; Henry Robert Harker, trading under the name and and all next of kin, Creditors and others concerned \n\nBy order, \n\nWith advertence to the principle laid down in the above Extracts, it will be understood, that Her Maherein are duly apprized thereof. jesty's Goverment do not recognize the validity of any Grants, or Sales, of Land that may have been made, or may have taken place, under any authority \n\nwhatsoever, previous to the Exelange of the Ratifi- \n\nCHARLES É. STEWART, \n\nTreasurer & Fini. Secy. \n\nGovernment Tlouse, \n\ncations of the Treaty, upon which event the Faland Victoria, Hongkong, 17th August, 1813. \n\n|| \n\nARTICLES. \n\nPaintings (large paintings) formerly, divided \n\ninto large and small paintings White Lead \n\n****** *= 88 \n\nClass VI-Exported Wares of various Kinds. Bone and Horn ware \n\nas fine, coarse, native, and middling) China Ware, fine and coarse (formerly classed \n\nCopperware, and pewter wäre \n\nManufactures of wood, furniture \n\nCER \n\n| \n\nIvory ware, all carved ivory work included, for- merly divided into ivory, and ivory Carvings Lacquered ware · \n\nMother'o' pearl ware \n\nPage 270Page 271", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 217945, "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": "CO129-004 - Public Offices & Admiralty - 1843", "page_number": 226, "title": "CO129-004 - Public Offices & Admiralty - 1843", "content_text": "CHINESE LABOURERS. \n\nNo. 2. \n\nPAPERS RELATIVE TO EMIGRATION OF \n\nthey are nevertheless willing to believe that, if cordially assisted by the countenance and influ- ence of the Government functionaries at these settlements, it might become considerable. \n\nThat pending the communications with Her Majesty's Government relative to emigration from Africa, your memorialists have refrained from adverting to the practicability and ad- vantage of employing labourers from India,-preferring to wait until the result of the expe:.ment made in Guiana, which your Lordship has doubtless watched with interest, could be satisfactorily ascertained. The papers now before Parliament furnish unquestionable evidence of its complete success. By them it is clearly proved that all the allegations made against the removal and employment of these people, were quite unfounded. They appear to be perfectly suited to the climate, and, according to the report of Sheriff Whinfield of Berbice, \"they have executed their work in a much more steady and satisfactory manner than the negro population.\" Besides enjoying throughout their sojourn in Guiana comforts to which they were strangers in India, they have been enabled to amass considerable wealth. The periods of their engagements having expired, a portion of them, in all 236, including some women and children, have taken advantages of the free passages provided for them, to visit their homes, carrying with them upwards of 25,000 dollars in money, besides other property. But, as Governor Light remarks in his Despatch to your Lordship, dated 15th May last, they one and all of those who embarked, expressed their intention of endeavouring to return with their families, satisfied that in the West Indies they can be better off than in their own country, and more free from oppression.\" This expression of their own feelings after embarkation, affords of course the most indubitable testimony, though it only confirms the opinion which Governor Light had previously given in his Despatch dated 15th December last, wherein he states, industry protected and amply rewarded, assure to the people of India the means of acquiring wealth here which they cannot readily obtain in their native land.\" The great expense of conveying labourers from the East to the West Indies, with the condition of providing the means of return, would deter your Memorialists from incurring so heavy a charge except to meet a case of the most urgent necessity, and it will always prevent the possibility of encou- ragement being given to an excessive or too rapid immigration. But such is the lamentable state of the principal West India colonies, that unless a considerable number of labourers be introduced without delay, very many more estates must be abandoned. In the struggle which has hitherto been maintained, numerous proprietors, who previous to emancipation derived large incomes from their estates, have been ruined,-execution as well as private forced sales, are daily taking place, and but for the adventitious circumstance of a great extent of West India property belonging, on being indebted, to persons in this country, who possess the means of supporting it, the aggregate production must have still further declined. Unprofitable cultivation cannot however be continued without an assurance of early relief. And this result must ensue unless such an accession to the working population be speedily obtained, as shall moderate the monopoly of employment now enjoyed by the former slaves, and induce a general disposition on their parts to give steady and effective labour on terms which the value of its produce will justify. \n\nUnder these circumstances, your Memorialists confidently hope that Her Majesty's Government will no longer refuse to concede to the West India colonies the same permission to procure labourers from India, which has been justly accorded to Mauritius, under arrange- ments similar to those that have been adopted in regard to that colony. \n\nYour Memorialists therefore pray that all obstructions to emigration from Sierra Leone, as well of the liberated slaves as of the people who may come there from the adjacent countries, be forthwith removed; that the same facilities be extended to the other British settlements on the West Coast of Africa, and that emigration from the East to the West Indies be henceforth permitted, under such regulations as may be calcu- lated to prevent abuse, and to secure the due protection and comfort of the emigrants. \n\n(Signed) NEILL MALCOLM, Chairman. \n\nNo. 2, \n\nCory of a LETTER from ALEX. GRANT, Esq, to Lord STANLEY. \n\nMy Lord, \n\nWest India Committee Rooms, 60, St. James's-street, July 24, 1843. SINCE I had the honour to transmit to your Lordship, on the 11th instant, a Memorial from the Standing Committee of West India planters and merchants, letters have been communicated to them from a Guiana proprietor, who has been visiting most of the British possessions in the East; and as they contain interesting intelligence relative to the state of labour in those countries, I beg leave to enclose extracts from the same for your Lordship's information. \n\nBy these communications it appears highly probable that, but for the prohibition imposed by the Order in Council of September, 1838, Chinese labourers might be there engaged on reasonable terms to proceed to the West Indies. Considering the well-known character of the Chinese people, the distance they would have to come \n\nCHINESE LABOURERS TO THE WEST INDIES. \n\nand the consequent necessity of entering previously into definite contracts for their own assurance and satisfaction, I submit that, even according to the views which suggested the prohibition in question, there can be no propriety in applying it to them; and I am desired by the Committee to express their hope that your Lord- ship will be induced, in addition to other arrangements for procuring labour to the Colonies, to extend the exception made in favour of the coloured people of North America, by the Order in Council of the 4th January last, to contracts that may be entered into with Chinese labourers at any of the British settlements to the eastward of the Ganges. \n\nBy the copies of agreements which accompany the extracts I have now the honour to transmit, your Lordship will observe that the people who have been engaged at Penang and Sincapore to proceed to Mauritius, have undertaken to repay their passage thither out of their wages. \n\nIt appears to the Committee desirable, as they trust it will to your Lordship, that, as regards the West India Colonies, a bounty should be granted upon the introduction of Chinese labourers, provided the special contracts they may have made shall not exceed two years. \n\nBy this means parties here who are interested in the Colonies might be induced to make immediate arrangements for engaging and conveying a considerable number of these labourers, while they would, before embarkation, be assured of a free passage and of good employment from the moment of their arrival, without any deduction from their wages. On the other hand, the colony granting the bounty would be amply compensated by the contribution of their labour, and their open competition for employment at the end of a short period. \n\n(Signed) \n\nThe Right Hon. Lord Stanley, \n\n&c. \n\n&c. &c. \n\nI have, &c. \n\nALEX. GRANT, Chairman pro tem. \n\nEnclosure in No. 2. \n\nEXTRACT of a Letter, dated Calcutta, 12th May, 1843. \n\nTHE object I have in view in this letter is to draw your attention, and through you that of others, to the Chinese who yearly come down from Amoy to the Straits of Malacca, seeking employment. At Singapore, Malacca, and Prince of Wales Island, there are 100,000 Chinese, and these people are the labouring portion of the community. At Prince of Wales, Isle Pe nang, there are 2,000 acres of land cultivated exclusively by them, and during the heat of the day I have seen them cutting canes, digging canals, carrying canes, &c., and I can state, without hesitation, going through all the work as well as the best picked men (Creoles) would do. The climate is much the same as in British Guiana. The men are strong and powerful, and from infancy accustomed to toil; industrious and eager to acquire money. I have seen all classes of Coolies, and the different tribes of Asia; but nowhere have I seen a people who would suit us and our purposes better. They are, however, more independent than the Coolies, and would, of course, have to be treated in every respect as an English labourer. One thousand have already been shipped to the Mauritius, and answer well. These people come down in the junks in January; they are all about the age of 18 to 30. I have written Mr. Anderson and sent him copies of agreements made with them. Any number may be had, and you may easily pick the number you require. Messrs. Barclay Brothers, of London, engaged Messrs. Brown and Co., of Prince of Wales Island, and Spottiswoode and Connolly, of Singapore, to ship them to their agents at Mauritius. They live on rice and salt fish, and as this is to be had low on the spot, and freights are low, I think they might be landed in Guiana at 10%, to 127. per head. \n\nEXTRACT of Letter, dated Calcutta, May 8, 1843. \n\n\"I AM now desirous of speaking about Chinese labour. From China every year, from 6000 to 8000 men leave for the Straits, seeking labour, and all men from 18 to 24, well made, robust, and active, inured to field labour, and able to work during the heat of the day, in fact, they are equal to our best Creole field labourers; they are eager for gain, and will do anything for money; they are quiet and very intelligent for their class, and not lazy. They value money, are shrewd; and I do think that no class of men can be better adapted to our wants than they are. I have been among them, seen them at work in the cane-fields, cutting and trashing canes, and banking. I have seen them clearing land, digging canals, and no man on Provi- dence could have worked better than this gang of 50 Chinese, and of the year's import. If emigrants are still desired, and if the Emigration chest is not empty, I do think that nowhere shall we find a class of labourers more fitted to our climate and our cultivation, and they are \n\nCHINESE LABOURERS. \n\nEncl in No. 2. \n\n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-004 - Public Offices & Admiralty - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 219630, "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": "CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844", "page_number": 90, "title": "CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844", "content_text": "\nARTICLE XIII. \n\nAll \n\nwhether natives of China or otherwise, who may wish to convey persons, goods from any one of the five ports of Canton, Foochowfoo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai, to Hong-Kong, for sale or consumption, shall be at full and perfect liberty to do so, on paying the duties on such goods, and obtaining a pass, or port clearance, from the Chinese Custom-house at one of the said ports. Should natives of China wish to repair to Hong-Kong to purchase goods, they shall have free and full permission to do so; and should they require a Chinese vessel to carry away their purchases, they must obtain a pass, or port-clearance, for her at the Custom-house of the port whence the vessel may sail for Hong-Kong. It is further settled, that in all cases these passes are to be returned to the officers of the Chinese Government, as soon as the trip for which they may be granted shall be completed. \n\nARTICLE XIV. \n\nAn English officer will be appointed at Hong-Kong, one part of whose duty will be to examine the registers and passes of all Chinese vessels that may repair to that port to buy or sell goods; and should such officer at any time find that any Chinese merchant-vessel has not a pass, or register, from one of the five ports, she is to be considered as an unauthorized or smuggling vessel, and is not to be allowed to trade, whilst a report of the circumstance is to be made to the Chinese Authorities. By this arrangement, it is to be hoped that piracy and illegal traffic will be effectually prevented. \n\nARTICLE XV. \n\nShould natives of China who may repair to Hong-Kong to trade, incur debts there, the recovery of such debts must be arranged for by the English Courts of Justice on the spot; but if the Chinese debtor shall abscond and be known to have property, real or personal, within the Chinese territory, the rule laid down in the fourth clause of the General Regulations for Trade shall be applied to the case; and it will be the duty of the Chinese Authorities, on appli- cation by, and in concert with, the British Consuls, to do their utmost to see justice done between the parties. On the same principle, should a British inerchant incur debts at any of the five ports, and fly to Hong-Kong, the British Authorities will, on receiving an application from the Chinese Govern ment officers, accompanied by statements and full proofs of the debts, institute an investigation into the claims, and, when established, oblige the defaulter or debtor to settle them to the utmost of his means. \n\nARTICLE XVI. \n\nIt is agreed, that the Custom-house officers at the five ports shall make a monthly return to Canton, of the passes granted to vessels proceeding to Hong- Kong, together with the nature of their cargoes; and a copy of these returns will be embodied in one return, and communicated once a-month to the proper English officer at Hong-Kong. The said English officer will, on his part, make a similar return or communication to the Chinese Authorities at Canton, showing the names of Chinese vessels arrived at Hong-Kong, or departed from that port, with the nature of their cargoes; and the Canton Authorities will apprize the Custom-houses at the five ports, in order that, by these arrange- ments and precautions, all clandestine and illegal trade, under the cover of passes, may be averted. \n\nXVII, OR ADDITIONAL ARTICLE. \n\nRelating to British Small Craft. \n\nVarious small vessels belonging to the English nation, called schooners, cutters, lorchas, &c., &c., have not hitherto been chargeable with tonnage dues. \n\ni \n\nIt is now agreed, in relation to this class of vessels which ply between Hong-Kong and the city, and the city and Macao, that if they only carry passengers, letters, and baggage, they shall, as heretofore, pay no tonnage dues; but if these small craft carry any dutiable articles, no matter how small the quantity may be, they ought, in principle, to pay their full tonnage dues. But this class of small craft are not like the large ships which are engaged in foreign trade; they are con- stantly coming and going; they make several trips a month, and are not like the large foreign ships, which, on entering the port, cast anchor at Whampoa. If we were to place them on the same footing as the large foreign ships, the charge would fall unequally; therefore after this, the smallest of these craft shall be rated at 75 tons, and the largest not to exceed 150 tons; whenever they enter the port (or leave the port with cargo) they shall pay tonnage dues at the rate of one mace per ton register. If not so large as 75 tons, they shall still be considered and charged as of 75 tons; and if they exceed 150 tons, they shall be considered as large foreign ships, and, like them, charged tonnage dues, at the rate of five mace per register tou. Foochow and the other ports having none of this kind of intercourse, and none of this kind of small craft, it would be unnecessary to make any arrangement as regards them. \n\nThe following are the rules by which they are to be regulated: 1st. Every British schooner, cutter, Jorcha, &c., shall have a sailing letter or register in Chinese and English, under the seal and signature of the Chief Superintendent of Trade, describing her appearance, burthen, &c., &c. \n\nup \n\n2nd. Every schooner, Iorcha, and such vessel, shall report herself, as large vessels are required to do, at the Bocca Tigris; and when she carries cargo, she shall also report herself at Whampoa, and shall, on reaching Canton, deliver her sailing letter or register to the British Consul, who will obtain permission from the Hoppo for her to discharge her cargo, which she is not to do without such permission, under the forfeiture of the penalties laid down in the 3rd clause of the General Regulations of Trade. \n\n3rd. When the inward cargo is discharged, and an outward one (if in- tended) taken on board, and the duties on both arranged and paid, the Consul will restore the register or sailing letter, and allow the vessel to depart. \n\nThis Supplementary Treaty, to be attached to the original Treaty of Peace, consisting of sixteen Articles, and one additional Article relating to small vessels, is now written out, forming, with its accompaniments, four pamphlets, and is formally signed aud sealed by their Excellencies the British Plenipo tentiary, and the Chinese Imperial Commissioner, who, in the first instance, take two copies each, and exchange them, that their provisions may be immediately carried into effect. At the same time, each of these high functionaries, having taken his two copies, shall duly memorialize the Sovereign of his nation; but the two countries are differently situated as respects distance, so that the will of the one Sovereign can be known sooner than the will of the other. It is now therefore agreed, that on receiving the gracious Assent of the Emperor in the Vermilion Pencil, the Imperial Commissioner will deliver the very document containing it into the hands of his Excellency IIwang, Judge of Canton, who will proceed to such place as the Plenipotentiary may appoint, and deliver it to the English Plenipotentiary, to have and to hold. Afterwards, the Sign Manual of the Sovereign of England having been received at Hong-Kong, likewise ciously assenting to and confirming the Treaty, the English Plenipotentiary will despatch a specially appointed officer to Canton, who will deliver the copy con- taining the Royal Sign Manual to his Excellency Hwang, who will forward it to the Imperial Commissioner, as a rule and a guide to both nations for ever, and as a solemn confirmation of our Peace and Friendship. \n\nA most important Supplementary Treaty. \n\ngra- \n\nSigned and sealed at Hoomun-Chae, on the Eighth day of October, 1843, corresponding with the Chinese date of the Fifteenth day of the Eighth moon, of the 23rd year of Taoukwang, \n\n(L.S.) \n\nHENRY POTTINGER. \n\nSeal and Signature of the \n\nChinese Plenipotentiary. \n\nPage 90Page 91", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-008 - Foreign Office - 1844.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 219958, "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": "CO129-009 - Public Offices - 1844", "page_number": 98, "title": "CO129-009 - Public Offices - 1844", "content_text": "E \n\nARTICLE XHI. \n\nAll persons, whether natives of China or otherwise, who may wish to convey goods from any one of the Five Ports of Canton, Foo-chow-foo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai, to Hong-Kong, for sale, or consumption, shall be at full and perfect liberty to do so, on paying the duties on such goods, and obtaining a pass, or port clearance, from the Chinese Custom-house at one of the said ports. natives of China wish to repair to Hong-Kong to purchase goods, they shall Should have free and full permission to do so; and should they require a Chinese vessel to carry away their purchases, they must obtain a pass, or port-clearance, for her at the Custom-house of the port whence the vessel may sail for Hong-Kong. It is further settled, that in all cases these passes are to be returned to the officers of the Chinese Government, as soon as the trip for which they may be granted shall be completed. \n\nARTICLE XIV. \n\nAn English officer will be appointed at Hong-Kong, one part of whose duty will be to examine the registers and passes of all Chinese vessels that may repair to that port to buy or sell goods, and should such officer at any time, find that any Chinese merchant-vessel has not a pass, or register, from one of the Five Ports, she is to be considered as an unauthorized or smuggling vessel, and is not to be allowed to trade, whilst a report of the circumstance is to be made to the Chinese Authorities. By this arrangement, it is to be hoped that piracy and illegal traffic will be effectually prevented. \n\nARTICLE XV. \n\nShould natives of China who may repair to Hong-Kong to trade, incur debts there, the recovery of such debts must be arranged for by the English Courts of Justice on the spot; but if the Chinese debtor shall abscond and be known to have property, real or personal, within the Chinese territory, the rule laid down in the fourth clause of the General Regulations for Trade shall be applied to the case; and it will be the duty of the Chinese Authorities; on appli- cation by, and in concert with, the British Consuls, to do their utmost to see justice done between the parties. On the same principle, should a British merchant incur debts at any of the Five Ports, and fly to Hong-Kong, the British Authorities will, on receiving an application from the Chinese Govern- ment officers, accompanied by statements and full proofs of the debts, institute an investigation into the claims, and, when established, oblige the defaulter or debtor to settle them to the utmost of his means. \n\nARTICLE XVI. \n\nIt is agreed, that the Custom-house officers at the Five Ports shall make a monthly return to Canton, of the passes granted to vessels proceeding to Hong- Kong, together with the nature of their cargoes, and a copy of these returns will be embodied in one return, and communicated once a-month, to the proper English officer at Hong-Kong, The said English officer will, on his part, make a similar return or communication to the Chinese Authorities at Canton, showing the names of Chinese vessels arrived at Hong-Kong, or departed froni that port, with the nature of their cargoes, and the Canton Anthorities will apprize the Custom-houses at the Five Ports, in order that, by these arrange- ments and precautions, all clandestine and illegal trade, under the cover of passes, may be averted. \n\nARTICLE XVII. \n\nOr Additional Article, relating to British small craft. \n\nVarious small vessels belonging to the English nation, called schooners, cutters, lorchas, &c., &c., have not hitherto been chargeable with tonnage dues, \n\nIt is now agreed, in relation to this class of vessels which ply between Hong-Kong and the city of Macao, that if they only carry passengers, letters, and baggage, they shall, as heretofore, pay no tonnage dues, but if these small craft carry any dutyable articles, no matter how small the quantity may be, they ought, in principle, to pay their full tonnage dues. But this class of small craft are not like the large ships which are engaged in foreign trade; they are con- stantly coming and going; they make several trips a-month, and are not like the large foreign ships, which, on entering the port, cast anchor at Whampoa. If we were to place them on the same footing as the large foreign ships, the charge would fall unequally; therefore after this, the smallest of these craft shall be rated at 75 tons, and the largest not to exceed 150 tons; whenever they enter the port (or leave the port with cargo) they shall pay tonnage dues at the rate of one mace per ton register. If not so large as 75 tons, they shall still be considered and charged as of 75 tons; and if they exceed 150 tons, they shall be considered as large foreign ships, and, like them, charged tonnage dues, at the rate of five mace per register ton. Foo-chow and the other ports having nove of this kind of intercourse, and none of this kind of small craft, it would be unnecessary to make any arrangement as regards them. \n\nThe following are the rules by which they are to be regulated :— 1st. Every British schooner, cutter, lorcha, &c., shall have a sailing letter or register in Chinese and English, under the seal and signature of the Chief Superintendent of Trade, describing her appearance, burthen, &c., &c. \n\nup \n\n2nd. Every schooner, lorcha, and such vessel, shall report herself, as large vessels are required to do, at the Bocca Tigris; and when she carries cargo, she shall also report herself at Whampoa, and shall, on reaching Canton, deliver her sailing letter or register to the British Consul, who will obtain permission from the Hoppo for her to discharge her cargo, which she is not to do without such permission, under the forfeiture of the penalties laid down in the 3rd clause of the General Regulations of Trade. \n\n3rd. When the inward cargo is discharged, and an outward one (if in- tended) taken on board, and the duties on both arranged and paid, the Consul will restore the register or sailing letter, and allow the vessel to depart. \n\nThis Supplementary Treaty, to be attached to the original Treaty of Peace, consisting of sixteen Articles, and one additional Article relating to small vessels, is now written out, forming, with its accompaniments, four pamphlets, and is formally signed aud sealed by their Excellencies the British Plenipo- tentiary, and the Chinese Imperial Commissioner, who, in the first instance, take two copies each, and exchange them, that their provisions may be immediately carried into effect. At the same time, each of these high functionaries, having taken his two copies, shall duly memorialize the Sovereign of his nation; but the two countries are differently situated as respects distance, so that the will of the one Sovereign can be known sooner than the will of the other. \n\nIt is now, therefore, agreed, that on receiving the gracious assent of the Emperor in the Vermilion Pencil, the Imperial Commissioner will deliver the very document containing it into the hands of his Excellency Hwang, Judge of Canton, who will proceed to such place as the Plenipotentiary may appoint, and deliver it to the English Plenipotentiary, to have and to hold. Afterwards, the Sign Manual of the Sovereign of England, having been received at Hong-Kong, likewise gra- ciously assenting to and confirming the Treaty, the English Plenipotentiary will despatch a specially appointed officer to Canton, who will deliver the copy con- taining the Royal Sign Manual to his Excellency Hwang, who will forward it to the Imperial Commissioner, as a rule and a guide to both nations for ever, and as a solemn confirmation of our peace and friendship. A most important Supplementary Treaty. \n\nSigned and sealed at Homun-Chai, on the 8th day of October, 1843, corres- ponding with the Chinese date of the 15th day of the 8th moon, of the 23rd year of Taoukwang. \n\nL.S: of H. B. Majesty's Plenipotentiary. \n\nL.S. of H. E. The Imperial Commissioner. \n\n(Signed) \n\nHENRY POTTINGER. \n\n(Signed) \n\nKEYING. (In Tartar.) \n", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-009 - Public Offices - 1844.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 222510, "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": "CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845", "page_number": 168, "title": "CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845", "content_text": "Chin atou, who on being put to torture would not betray his associates. Rome of the plunder however is recovered, viz: a gold cased watch, which an official messenger transmitted to the vice Consul to identify the lame, and he having found it to be the original article, has taken the watch, as is on record.\n\nWe the Great Minister and Lieutenant Governor perceive, that it is very lawless for natives to wish to beat English Officers, and rob them of their watches and other articles; fortunately, however the British functionaries defended themselves well, and thus were not wounded, which consoles us the Minister and the Lieutenant Governor. These villainous natives ought to be seized and furnished with severity, in order to deter others from imitating their bad examples.\n\nWe have therefore again strictly ordered the local civil and military authorities to adopt means for the seizure of those villains, that they may be punished according to Chinese laws, and at the same time likewise take measures for recovering the lost articles; and as soon as they are obtained, they will be sent to the vice Consul to examine and receive them. This is the previous answer we forward to You the Honorable Envoy.\n\nRespecting the entering into the city, We the Great Minister and Governor have again and again with Your Predecessor Pottinger consulted, and expressed ourselves very explicitly. We also suppose, that You the Honorable Envoy are fully acquainted with this circumstance. We the Great Minister and Lieutenant Governor entertain no other view in this affair, but that dictated by the disposition of the Canton populace, which renders it impossible, and it is not necessary to reiterate the same argument.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-014 - Public Offices - 1845.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 227118, "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": 142, "title": "CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8]", "content_text": "You will perceive that\n\nThis explanation of my\n\ncrews\n\nprinciples. in no way affects the continent\n\nresuching the due administration\n\nof practice in a place like Hong Kong.\n\nwhich for\n\nI have laid down in June\n\nDesentill. In those opinions!\n\nEntirely concur,\n\nAnd\n\nand that more\n\nattention has been\n\ndirected to this\n\nsubject. I agree\n\nwith\n\nWe can't a subject.\n\nsince that it is\n\ndevin. bh\n\nvery\n\nIt's at the Court\n\nof\n\nSun.\n\nprisdielen, cha sit,\n\nI report that it did under the\n\nlab\n\nMica\n\n140\n\nActing Chief Police, at least\n\nmouth throughout\n\nin\n\nEvery\n\nAnd you have alleged\n\nWe\n\nstill single reasons\n\nfor.\n\na more frequent holding of the Criminal\n\nSessions than takes place at present. And I fully appreciate\n\nthe\n\ndesire to remove\n\nas far as is in your power, and that\n\nof the judicial Functionaries, those delays and technicalities incident\n\nto the English practice, which,\n\naccording to high Authorities, are\n\nfar less prevalent at home,\n\nand which cannot fail to be", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-025 - Bonham - 1848 [7-8].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 245881, "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": "CO129-070 - Public Offices - 1858", "page_number": 318, "title": "CO129-070 - Public Offices - 1858", "content_text": "In international relations, one which I humbly think strange, M.M's Government in the world would be very unwise to adopt without giving the matter their own full consideration. English functionaries abroad are to be bound to obey the laws of foreign countries seems to me one of the most dangerous doctrines which could be propounded. Are our Envoys in France and in Holland to be made answerable for assisting French and Dutch Officers in repressing English Smugglers? If the maxim would not be admitted in Europe, how much more pernicious may be its effects if it be supposed applicable to the laws of a barbarous, crafty, and also a vacillating Government.\n\nIt seems to me that when the Emigration Comrs have reported, this subject will well deserve some private communication with the Foreign Affairs.\n\n`7F 144000`\n\nTo Em. Com on the past instance.\n\n`ya EBL Öic Cort 15`\n\n`DEX 1` \n## Page 316", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-070 - Public Offices - 1858.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 271525, "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": "CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12]", "page_number": 85, "title": "CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12]", "content_text": "# Containing suggestions \n## 1 \n## 000 \nto the revision of the Treaty of Tientsin \n\n## I \n\nCopies of the Recher have been sent to ...\n\n## 76. \n\nI Am Le \n\nTo His Excellency \nSir Richard Graves MacDonnell, C.B. \n\n**MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY** \n\nGovernor of Hongkong, &c., &c., &c. \n\nThe chief seat of the business which our firm carries on in China being, and since the first erection of the Colony having been, located in Hongkong, we respectfully solicit Your Excellency's good offices to assist us in bringing before Her Majesty's Government this exposition of our views as to the forthcoming revision of the Treaty of Tientsin. \n\n2. We find our first duty in entering upon this most important subject, to be predication that the Treaty of Tientsin has proved itself an instrument which does great honour to those who originally framed it. Its results show it to have sprung from a sagacious and statesmanlike prevision of the necessities of commerce; and, aside from the discussion of mere details, the fact is borne home to us that in addressing Your Excellency, as we have the honour to do now, our care should be to advocate extension of the views indicated by the Treaty itself, together with liberality, advertence, and consideration towards foreign interests on the part of the functionaries entrusted with its conduct and administration, rather than to suggest any radical alterations in its terms or policy. We shall, in the course of this communication, find it necessary to animadvert upon the arbitrary manner in which certain privileges—notably, that of residence in the interior of China—conferred by Treaty upon British subjects, are construed and withheld by the Queen's Ministers and Representatives; we shall feel ourselves, in the interests of trade and commerce, urgently called upon to recommend certain alterations in practice which our experience leads us to believe are imperatively required; but our main object throughout will be to impress upon Her Majesty's Government our conviction that during the forthcoming revision of the Treaty, their efforts should be directed more to the general development of that instrument's original intentions, than to the further acquisition from the Chinese of minor exemptions and immunities, which would neither advance British national interests, nor be gracefully conceded by the Emperor's advisers. We hold firmly that a defective treaty, rigidly insisted on, is of greater value than one in which no flaw is to be detected, but whose beneficial enactments are nevertheless set aside or ignored, either of design or of neglect. In the one case disappointment is never entailed upon those who may adventure their means upon the faith of the document's provisions; but in the other, hopes are constantly excited only to be defeated, and ruin may speedily accrue from too implicit a reliance upon stipulations unfulfilled. Under the latter category should the Treaty of Tientsin, we believe, be classed. Its conception displayed masterly skill, and it has already bestowed great benefits upon commerce; yet these benefits are but as shadows when compared with those which might have been reaped from it, had the rights which it confers been insisted upon in their integrity. We know well the honourable and prudential motives which have actuated Her Majesty's Government in this matter, and we acknowledge the dignified patience which they have displayed towards China under the trying ordeal upon which she entered in 1860; but forbearance is now costing England more than it brings in, and we anxiously trust that the opportunity afforded by the approaching revision will be used as much to impress upon the Chinese that in the future treaty rights and obligations shall be sternly exacted from them, as to obtain from them additional advantages and privileges. \n\n3. Having promised thus much as to the general scope of our views upon this subject, we should state that our suggestions as to the points to be most prominently borne in mind by British diplomatists at the coming conference, range themselves under four heads; namely, the right of residence up-country, inclusive both of the privilege of navigating, from the ports of entry already established, the Inland waters of China by means of foreign-built craft of a certain small size, and of the suppression of all extra-covenanted taxes and exactions; the better, more equitable, and certain administration of justice between foreigners and Chinese; the rightful application and the possible reduction of Tonnage dues; together with the revision of the Tariff, inclusive of the addition of the commodity, Salt, to its list of Imports, of the rescission of that \"Rule of Trade\" which renders Articles IX and XXVIII of the Treaty inapplicable to Opium, and of extension of the time allowed for claiming Drawback of Duty upon goods re-exported. \n\n4. To commence with the first, and, perhaps, the most important, of all these desiderata—that is to say, the right of residence in the interior of China, with its corollaries as above set forth. It is not, we humbly conceive, to be denied, that by Article XII of the Treaty of Tientsin, the right of residence at \"other places\" than the ports was conceded to British subjects by China, contrary interpretation hitherto on the part of our own Government notwithstanding. We attach the highest importance to this right, which has, nevertheless, been ever since its concession studiously denied to us. England can achieve the reward deserved by the sacrifices which she has made in this Empire; we see in this right the only means whereby the sole method by which Western civilization can be extended; the single channel through which is to be attained that abundant trade upon the confines of which we hover, and which would prove so greatly fraught with benefit to our manufacturing masses, as well as redound so much to the advantage of the Inland population of China. We ask, therefore, that our right of residence up-country be no longer withheld from us, but that British subjects be permitted to settle in the interior, to hire, own, and erect suitable dwellings and places of business, and to navigate the Inland waters of China, from the ports already opened, by means of foreign-built craft, to be registered, or licensed, or obliged to carry sailing-letters, and not to exceed a certain size, whether propelled by steam or otherwise. The first benefit, and one of the utmost importance, which would result from such enlightened and liberal policy, if pursued, would be the abolition at one fell blow of the illegal, because renounced by Treaty, imposts and exactions persistently laid from place to place by local authority upon all foreign manufactures and upon produce destined for foreign use. It is not necessary that we should furnish here details of the nature of these imposts and exactions; the fact of their existence and the shapes they take are as well known to Her Majesty's Government as to ourselves, and their amount in the aggregate far exceeds that of the legitimate Import and Export duties; they are the deadly foes of the English ... \n\n## 84", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 271526, "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": "CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12]", "page_number": 86, "title": "CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12]", "content_text": "## 5 \nThe artisan, for they make Teas and Silks dear, as well as impede the distribution, amongst millions of buyers, of the various productions of his handicraft. If the policy, which we are now advocating be adopted, we picture in the future many small foreign trading posts throughout the various provinces, whither foreign merchandise, in original packages as imported, could be conveyed cheaply, safely, expeditiously, and then be parceled out among the native dealers and shopkeepers. Foreigners should not on any account be allowed to open shops, or sell by retail; as the sole and immediate aim is the transmission, inexpensive, speedy, and untaxed save as may be lawful, of foreign goods to the native consumer, and of produce to the shipping ports. Upon similar grounds likewise should foreign-owned craft be strictly prohibited and restrained from sharing in, or interfering with, the purely native Inland Traffic. The evidence of the past justifies us in affirming that but a few years' duration of such a system would bring about a most noble and gratifying increase of our trade with this Empire, and open large fields for the exercise of British intelligence and the sound employment of British capital. We need not dwell upon the advantages to be also derived from more intimate acquaintance with China and her productions; these are self-apparent; but we must not omit to point out that any extensive resort to the right of residence would render requisite a greater or lesser knowledge of the Chinese written and colloquial languages. The extent of this knowledge would not, probably, be individually great, though it would be of daily increase, but the benefit, which it is fair to estimate would accrue from it to civilization and to commerce, might in time acquire such stupendous proportions as merely to contemplate is to desire to set on foot.\n\n## 6 \nThe foregoing is the bright side of the question of the right of Inland residence; on the other hand must be viewed weighty considerations of not so pleasant a character. Points of collision would be multiplied; official expenditure would naturally be increased; and we shall not be surprised to find that both Governments shrink from a policy apparently charged with much explosive material. But nothing venture, nothing have; England's national aim is the extension of her influence and trade by every fair and honourable means; therefore let not her Representatives shun difficulties which can be overcome, to the avoidance of acquisitions which must be great, and which may prove momentous. We shall be well satisfied if Her Majesty's Government approach this delicate question in no more than a tentative spirit, so long as they do so with firmness and honesty of purpose. We would counsel their immediate obtainment of the largest measure of privilege, but their retention in their own hands of the extent to which from time to time such privilege should be accorded to the Queen's subjects. Let the area of residence be no more than periodically enlarged. Let good conduct on the part of all engaged in this Inland Traffic be secured by strict and onerous bond, to be set in motion, if necessary, upon mere suspicion of misbehaviour, and there will, we believe, remain little room for apprehension that either the honour of the British flag will be tarnished, or the dignity of the Chinese one be insulted. In further support of which opinion, we would point to the changes which have taken place in the foreign communities of China during the past few years. The privileges conceded by Treaty, the enforcement of which we now advocate, were at the time of their concession, calculated, perhaps, to throw broadcast upon the Empire a lawless body of men, unacquainted with restraint, and amenable to no authority; for not only was the general temper of the foreign mind then exaltant and unruly, but the common desire of both Imperialists and Rebels to avail of them for military purposes had attracted to the shores of China a most ungovernable collection of abandoned adventurers. These, the influences of time and peace have already eliminated from amongst us; while the sobering effects of misfortune have checked the spirit of too ardent traders, and are causing all classes of men to act with prudence, and to observe caution. The present moment, therefore, seems one peculiarly fitted to put in force those rights to which by Treaty we are entitled; and which are rights, also, that could not fail to prove of lasting good to either nation.\n\n## 7 \nWe take leave of this portion of our subject, hoping that the language in which we have expressed ourselves will make clear our general impression that the success of future British Commerce with China will depend mainly upon the extent to which foreign traders shall be permitted to come face to face with the people, as well as upon that to which Treaty obligations shall be respectively enforced. Yet before we proceed further, it becomes our duty in the interests of our country's trade, which are our own, to impress upon the Government that if they fail, or refuse, to secure for Englishmen the right of Inland residence in China, they must not palter with the other side of the question. The High Chinese Authorities have throughout suffered, or caused, Articles XII and XXVIII of the Treaty of Tientsin to be persistently and openly violated, to the almost utter abrogation of the advantages conferred by them. In complete defiance of these Articles, foreign trade has been, and continues to be, heavily and widely taxed in excess of the stipulated transit duties; and we have consequently with much mortification often seen defeated efforts intended in the first instance to benefit ourselves, but which, had they been successful, would have likewise benefited many others. We have pointed to Inland residence and its adjuncts as the true remedies for these grievances and evils; and we now loudly assert that if such remedies are to be denied to us, the Queen's Government ought not to flinch from the proposition and achievement of other measures calculated to secure real freedom of foreign trade with the Chinese Empire. We hold ourselves prepared to be reminded that mere Inland residence, and more Navigation of inland waters, may not free foreign trade from illegal provincial impost or taxation to the extent which we would have represented ourselves as imagining these measures will do. We may be told that the taxes, which could not be levied upon goods protected by foreign convoy, might still, in another shape, be wrung by Mandarin exaction from the Chinese themselves. If so, it would become the duty of Her Majesty's Ministers to devise means for, at least, the correction of this mischief, the probable development of which we, with much pain, confess; but there would be no need for them to be discouraged thereby, the evil might prove great, but from a national point of view certainly not so great as that of which we are complaining; and after all it would be an evil which those who have read thoughtfully the past well know must pale and fade away before the irrepressible advance of knowledge and civilization.\n\n## 8 \nThe better, more equitable, and certain accordance of Justice by Chinese Courts to foreign plaintiffs, next urgently claims attention. By articles XVII, XXII, and XXIII of the Treaty of Tientsin, the adjudication of all grievances experienced by British subjects at the hands of Chinese subjects, was vested in the Consuls and the native Officials, an appeal naturally lying to the High Authorities at Pekin. This system has not worked satisfactorily at any of the ports; but save as hereinafter described, we are not prepared to suggest any amelioration of its practice, except at Shanghai. Shanghai is, we do not need to say, the most considerable seat of foreign commerce in China, and consequently from its dealings have arisen the great majority of English complaints against Chinese. To meet this demand for Justice no sufficient provision was made by the native Authorities, and at length the difficulty of obtaining even so much as an appearance of action from these functionaries, led in connection with the question of the good government of the settlement of Shanghai, to the establishment of what was, and is still, denominated the \"Mixed Court\" that is, a Court wherein sit as Co-Judges, some \"Mandarin\" on the part of the Chinese, and some member of the Consulate on the part of the British. Designed at first to take cognizance particularly of Police cases, the Mixed Court became, from the convenience arising from it, and because of the utter want of confidence attaching to the decisions enunciated by the Native authorities in their City \"Yamen,\" a tribunal of general resort whenever plaints were laid by British against Chinese subjects. For such jurisdiction, however, the construction of the Mixed Court has shown itself essentially faulty, and it is not to be denied that when actions-at-law have been brought before it, Englishmen have failed to obtain redress, whereas on the other hand, Chinese rights and pretensions have been supported to the uttermost farthing. The Chinese possess a code of Moral, but none of Civil, law; all disputes concerning property or commercial obligations, are decided by them according to crude, puerile, notions of equity; and their Officials are rarely free from, at least, the suspicion of bribery. As though to make this worse, the office of British Co-Judge has hitherto been filled by individuals totally untrained to legal pursuits, of but moderate rank in the public service, and in receipt of salaries utterly inadequate to the grave responsibilities with which they have been charged. So constituted, the Mixed Court has proved a failure, but an improvement, nevertheless, upon the procedure that previously existed; while without doubt, it contains the germs of a system of judicature well calculated to meet the international requirements of both countries. The Mixed Court, however, has never gained, and until reorganized, never will gain the confidence of British subjects. It behoves us, therefore, to cast about for a remedy; and this remedy we would hope to find in the complete removal, as far as can be from time to time expediently effected, of all legal jurisdiction from under Consular control, and in the immediate erection and international recognition of a Mixed Court at Shanghai whereof the Co-Judges should hold well-paid, permanent, appointments, and be Magistrates of such high rank and status as that each should command attention and respect, not only from his own, but from the other's Government as well. It is not for us, as we have in a previous paragraph hinted, to suggest detail; that is the province of those to whom shall be entrusted the revision of the Treaty; but we believe that the object aimed at would be achieved, were there to the Chinese Co-Judgeship permanently appointed an Official, with the rank, it might be, of Taoutai, enjoying credit and reputation amongst his own people, and to the British Judicial post a lawyer of attainments and position so good, as to cause the enforcement of his enunciations and decisions to be incumbent upon the Chief Diplomatic authority at Pekin. An additional Assistant Judge of the Supreme Court of China and Japan might well likewise occupy the post of British Co-Judge; but, be this as it may, for the future let British Co-Judges be legal gentlemen of standing so important that neglect of their dicta by the Chinese the British Minister neither would nor could ignore. Then, and then only, will Englishmen in China place faith in the jurisdiction of Mixed Courts; while the benefits to accrue to civilization might, in the end, prove well worthy of Great Britain. As we have said, the Chinese possess a code of Moral, but none of Civil, law; is it not, therefore, the more necessary that the British conduct of Mixed Courts should be confided to trained jurists, from whose native colleagues' and their own concerted decisions might in time arise a definite system of international jurisprudence? Let police matters and civil causes of trivial amount be decided by subordinates; but let all important suits against Chinese be heard before such a Court as we have endeavoured to portray. We have already stated that we would prefer to see all legal jurisdiction of a civil character eliminated from amongst the duties of Consuls, whose functions and powers would then become of only an executive and criminal nature; but we are well aware that except at Shanghai the time has not yet come for the establishment of Mixed Courts. Nevertheless, one essential feature of the system might be followed at Foochow and the other ports with the greatest advantage; we mean the permanent appointment of a native Co-Judge to sit with the Consul upon all important occasions. From such a measure would flow certain mitigation, at least, of the delays and bad faith persistently manifested by the native Provincial Officials, as well as accession of dignity and authority to the Consular judicial position, because the decisions of the Consular Courts would acquire consistency and weight with the Chinese. Another subject now calls for discussion, and we proceed to it, begging Your Excellency to bear in mind that the observations just made are put forward suggestively, and not as the opinions of men claiming acquaintance with juridical questions.\n\n## 8 \nThe rightful application of Tonnage dues is a duty which has hitherto been grievously evaded by the Imperial authorities, and it is necessary that the fulfillment of Article XXXII of the Treaty be made compulsory upon the Chinese; as well as the powers conferred under it upon British Consuls be greatly extended. These Tonnage dues now annually aggregate a very large amount indeed; much more than is at all requisite for the purposes to which alone such dues should be applied; and we are, therefore, of opinion that their reduction may very equitably be insisted upon.\n\n## 9 \nWe have now arrived at the last portion of our subject; namely, the Revision of the Tariff. Upon this head it will not be necessary for us to address Your Excellency in any detail, as, regarded in a large and general sense, the present Tariff is a just and liberal one. The articles upon which it presses unfairly are few, of minor importance, and have already been brought by others very prominently to the notice of Her Majesty's Government. We would rather advert here to five measures of general policy, which we esteem to be desirable. The first of these is the abrogation of duty upon all Coal, native or foreign, a proceeding which would prove a boon of great value to the widely extending system of Steam Navigation in China. If the Imperial Government seek to derive revenue from the Coal-mines within their territories, let them do so by means of Rents or Royalties, but let the distribution of the fuel be freed from all impost whatever. The unrestrained re-exportation of foreign Rice may, we think, be most justly demanded by the British Government. But permission to import Salt is a privilege the...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-126 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 284413, "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": "CO129-149 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [1-4]", "page_number": 308, "title": "CO129-149 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [1-4]", "content_text": "# Extract from Despatch No. 3 of the 26th December, 1885, from The Right Honorable Edward Cardwell, M.P.\n\n## 5th Point\nThere has been no complaint, information or communication by any officer of the Chinese Government made or forwarded to the Committing Magistrate or to his Court desiring the arrest of any Person being a Chinese subject and alleging, &c., &c., to give the Magistrate Jurisdiction under Section 1 of Ordinance 2 of 1850, and no Warrant or Order from the Governor to the Magistrate under Section IV.\n\nThe Prisoner was already in custody upon a charge then under Investigation. Section I of Ordinance 2 of 1850 therefore applies and no Warrant from the Governor under Section IV was required.\n\nThe letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Magistrate informing him of the Demand for Extradition is annexed to the depositions. The practice in England is similar. (See Report of Select Committee on Extradition page 18.)\n\nEvidence of Sir Thomas Henry.\n\n| Question | Answer |\n| --- | --- |\n| 319.-Do you get all the London Cases? | The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs examines the papers, and if he sees that the offence is one of those named in the Treaty, he sends the papers on to Home Secretary. The papers are examined at the Home Office again, and if the Home Secretary is satisfied that it is a Case within the Treaty, he then sends to the Chief Magistrate at Bow-street a letter, signifying that requisition has been made in the proper manner by the Ambassador or the Minister of the Foreign Country to have the accused delivered up. |\n| 320.-That letter sets you in motion? | That sets me in motion. |\n\nThe Practice to be followed in Hongkong is prescribed in a Despatch from the Secretary of State, of which the following is an extract:\n\n\"Questions have been raised both as to the forms in which the extradition shall be demanded and to the cases to which it shall apply, on both of which I am desirous that you should be fully informed of the views of Her Majesty's Government.\n\n\"On the first head I am to instruct you that the Consular or other Diplomatic Officer is in all cases the recognized Channel of communication between Chinese and British functionaries. That all ordinary communications should be carried on through that Officer and that without his concurrence direct communications should not take place between Colonial Officers and the Chinese Government. Requisitions for the delivery of Criminals should therefore be conveyed to the Colonial Government through the Consular or Diplomatic Officer or with his authority.\"\n\nUnder `6 & 7 Vic. cc. 75 & 76`, the Statutes passed to carry out the Treaties with France and the United States, the communication to the Magistrate must be by Warrant under Seal. Under Ordinance No. 2 of 1850, it is not even required to be in writing. The Writ of Habeas Corpus in this case is a Writ at Common Law and the Return cannot be traversed (3 Chitty's Stat. 3d. Ed. p. 69 note).\n\n## 6th Point\nThere is no evidence whatever before the Court, nor was there before the Magistrate to show that the offence charged against the Prisoner is an offence against the Laws of China. The alleged offence having been committed on board a French ship on the high seas, the presumption is the Chinese Courts have no jurisdiction, and the evidence shows that Chinese Mandarins having the opportunity to arrest and try the Coolies from the \"Nouvelle Penelope,\" took no steps to punish them, (Phil. 377, 413) and no right to claim Extradition.\n\nThere is nothing in the Treaty of Tientsin or in Ordinance No. 2 of 1850 which imposes upon the Magistrate the duty of ascertaining that the crime charged is a crime against the Laws of China;-but in any Case the Court will assume that Murder being a crime malum in se as distinguished from malum prohibitum, is a crime against the Laws of all civilized nations.\n\nIf the Description of Crimes for which Chinese may be surrendered under the Treaty of Tientsin is to be limited at all, it is submitted that it should be limited to such crimes as by our Statute or Common Law would, if committed by a British subject, be justiciable by the Courts of this Colony. This Rule was adopted in the Ashburton Treaty. (See In re Windsor, 10, Cox C. C.), and is also adopted in the Imperial Extradition Act of 1870, in which the following heading to the Schedule of Crimes is prefixed:\n\n\"The following List of Crimes is to be construed according to the Law existing in England, or in a British Possession (as the case may be) at the date of the alleged crime, whether by Common Law or by Statute made before or after the passing of this Act.\"\n\nIf the Murder charged in this Case had been committed by a British subject, it would have been justiciable by the Courts of this Colony. (`Reg. v. Azzopardi. 2 Moody, C. C. 288.`)\n\n## 7th Point\nThe depositions disclose no offence whatever. The conduct of the Coolies in getting possession of the ship being justifiable, they being illegally restrained of their liberty and there being no excess. Unless the acts charged against the Prisoner are such as English Laws attach criminal responsibility to, the Extradition Treaty does not apply.\n\nThe depositions disclose the Murder of nine persons.\n\nAll homicide is prima facie Murder subject to be reduced to justifiable homicide by the particular facts proved in defence. (1 Russell on Crimes, p. 668.) The Prisoner is identified as being one who actually took part in the Murder of the Captain and was an accomplice in the general massacre of the other victims. There is no evidence of his having been illegally coerced and much less of his having been reduced to slavery by the Master of the ship, Captain Le Vigoureux, whom he murdered, or by any one connected with the ship. In Anderson's case (that of the fugitive slave) it was admitted that the case was one of Slavery. (See Wheaton's Int. Law, 8th Edition, Note 75.) Here the question whether the homicide was Murder or excusable homicide on the plea of self defence is not raised on behalf of the Prisoner in the depositions. One of the witnesses states that he was kidnapped by a Barber, Chea Afook, but nevertheless that he told the Macao Authorities he was willing to go and did contract to go to Peru. He likewise says that he heard others say they had been kidnapped. But he does not accuse the Master of the ship or any of the crew of the kidnapping but on the contrary describes their conduct to have been most kind.\n\nThe \"proof of guilt\" required to justify the Surrender under the Treaty of Tientsin is thus stated in a Despatch of the Duke of Newcastle:\n\n\"It is at the same time quite clear in the letter of the Tientsin Treaty that it is only on proof of their guilt that Chinese Criminals can be demanded by Chinese Officers and the proof intended can of course be no other than proof satisfying the minds of those,--the British Officers--who have to determine the question at this preliminary stage. On this head I have to instruct you that as a general rule reasonable evidence ought to be accepted as sufficient, such for example as would lead a Grand Jury, in this Country to find a true bill where the evidence is ex parte only, or such as with evidence on both sides, would induce a Magistrate to commit for Trial.\"\n\nThe Expression \"Proof of Guilt\" in the Treaty of Tientsin has had legislative interpretation, so far as our Courts are concerned, by Section III of Ordinance No. 2 of 1850, which directs the Magistrate to commit on \"probable cause of guilt.\" There is abundant \"probable cause\" within the meaning of Section III of Ordinance No. 2 of 1850, to warrant the Committal. (Wheaton's International Law, Section CXVII, Note 75, by Professor Dana, 8th Edition.)\n\nTernan's case. 9 Cox, C. C.\n\nTernan's Case shows that a Court or a Judge, upon such a Proceeding as the present, is not to weigh the effect of the evidence; that is a matter for the Magistrate. The Court can only consider whether there is enough evidence to justify a Committal, and it is unnecessary to add that in the present case no Magistrate could hesitate to commit the Prisoner for Trial if the case were cognizable by the Supreme Court.\n\nIt has been doubted in the United States whether evidence of Justification of killing can be received at all under the Extradition Treaty with Great Britain. (See In re John Bennett, Southern District Court of New York, reported in 11 Law Times N. S. page 488.)\n\nThe King v. Marks (3 East) shows that if there be a corpus delicti on the depositions, the Prisoner must be remanded, and the cases collected by Mr. Forsyth at page 451 of his work on Constitutional Law show that the Return (if necessary) may be amended. Finally it is again submitted that all Decisions upon other Extradition Treaties are inapplicable so far as the nature of the crime charged is concerned, inasmuch as the Treaty of Tientsin embraces all crimes. The facts alleged in the Return cannot be traversed. [The Writ of Habeas Corpus taken out in this case is a Writ at common Law. As to contradicting the Return...]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-149 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 307102, "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": "CO129-190 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [10-12]", "page_number": 220, "title": "CO129-190 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [10-12]", "content_text": "218\n\n(14)\n\n2. ALL CIVIL SERVANTS REQUIRED TO STUDY CHINESE. 1855.\n\nIt so happened in the very next year (1855) that Mr. CALDWELL also resigned, though but temporarily, and forthwith the complaints regarding the want of competent interpretation became extremely loud and gave rise to new schemes to supply the deficiency. Sir GEORGE GREY, then Secretary of State for the Colonies, considered the subject of such importance that he laid down the rule that no application for an increase of salary in the Civil Service of Hongkong was to be made for any person who did not know Chinese. It happened in this wise. Sir JOHN BOWRING applied for an augmentation of the salary of a General Interpreter. In reply to this application, Sir GEORGE GREY (Despatch No. 8 of 28th April 1855) writes as follows:--\n\n'Independently of other reasons, sufficient in themselves to compel me to refuse the sanction of Her Majesty's Government to the desired augmentation of Mr. .......'s salary, the inability of that gentleman to translate the Chinese language freely renders it impossible for me to comply with his request, this being a qualification which ought to be regarded as indispensable for an Interpreter. \"But I consider, the knowledge of this language as essential generally for the Civil Service at Hong-kong, and have to lay it down for your guidance as a rule, subject only to such very special exceptions as you may deem necessary, that no application for increase of salary in that service is to be made for any person who has not learnt Chinese.\"\n\nIn the Hongkong Government Gazette of 7th July 1855, there appeared accordingly a Notification stating that Her Majesty's Government attached great importance to the acquirement of the Chinese language by all functionaries in the public service in this Colony, and adding that \"His Excellency is instructed to state that in claims for promotion a knowledge of Chinese will be considered as a recommendation to the favourable consideration of the Authorities.\" Here we have then another important point to note, viz., that, apart from interpretation in the Courts and departmental offices, it is highly desirable that in a Colony like this, where more than 95 per cent. of the people speak Chinese and Chinese only, all the functionaries in the public service in the Colony should learn Chinese, at least until the Chinese population of Hongkong can be made to learn English.\n\n3. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CAINE AND SIR JOHN BOWRING. NEW SCHEMES. 1855.\n\nBut as, of course, this scheme of inducing all European officers to learn Chinese would, even if successful, not affect the Interpretation in the Courts, further measures had to be devised. Accordingly, Lieutenant Governor Caine (Despatch No. 86 of 18th June 1855), whose long residence in Hongkong (since 1841) and varied experience lend weight to his views, urged upon the attention of the Home Government \"the necessity of establishing a Corps of Interpreters,\" without, however, explaining how the Corps was to be established. His idea seems to have been the same as that which has since then repeatedly forced itself into prominence, viz., to establish a separate Interpretation Department. Nothing was done, however, in that direction, as Sir JOHN BOWRING, during whose absence in Siam Colonel Caine had taken up the Interpretation question, started, immediately upon his return to Hongkong within three days after Colonel Caine's Despatch was written, a different scheme. Sir JOHN BOWRING suggested (Despatch No. 91 of 21st June 1855) that St. Paul's College be utilized for the purpose of training Interpreters for the use of the Government, and that, with that end in view, \"a Colonial grant for the education of Interpreters be substituted for the Parliamentary vote of £250 hitherto paid to St. Paul's College.\" This led to a lengthy correspondence, ending in the decision that St. Paul's College should not be interfered with, but Colonel Caine's plan was forgotten meanwhile, and nothing was actually done towards a solution of the Interpretation problem until the arrival of Sir HERCULES ROBINSON, four years later (September, 1859).\n\n4. SIR HERCULES ROBINSON. 1859-1865.\n\n(a.) Teachers' Allowances and Cadetship Scheme.\n\nSir HERCULES ROBINSON took up the interpretation question at once. He looked about for educated Chinese Interpreters, established several new Interpreterships in the Courts and in different Departments, appointed a number of Chinese as Interpreters, and obtained the sanction of the Secretary of State, the Duke of NEWCASTLE, to the appointment of Mr. now the Honourable NG ACHOY \"as Clerk and Student Interpreter\" (Secretary of State's Despatch No. 3 of 2nd January 1862). Sir HERCULES ROBINSON also allowed payment of a Chinese teacher's salary to every European officer who was willing to learn Chinese. He had been informed by the Secretary of State (Despatch No. 98 of 2nd November 1860) that \"Her Majesty's Government would be ready to consider favourably any proposal he might make on the subject of improving the system of interpretation in the Colony, although involving some outlay of public funds.\" Meanwhile Mr. CALDWELL'S resignation increased the inconvenience generally felt from the want of competent and experienced Interpreters. Mr. CALDWELL had some years before been confirmed (Despatch No. 32 of 18th March 1857) by the Secretary of State in the important appointment of \"Registrar General and Protector of Chinese,\" had entered into questionable relations with certain designing and unscrupulous characters, who most likely made a tool of him, and he resigned on 1st February 1861, whilst the investigation into his conduct, which led to his subsequent dismissal, was still going on. The resignation of Mr. CALDWELL, who, though imperfectly acquainted with the written Chinese language, was then the only satisfactory Interpreter in the Colony, brought matters to a climax. Sir HERCULES ROBINSON now prepared his well-known Scheme of Cadetships \"to supply the Civil Service in Hongkong with an efficient staff of Interpreters.\"\n\nIn recommending this Scheme to the Secretary of State (the Duke of NEWCASTLE), Sir HERCULES ROBINSON (Despatch No. 39 of 23rd March 1861) explains that great inconvenience is felt from the scarcity of trustworthy Interpreters to communicate with the bulk of the population, that no Government officer in Hongkong understands Chinese except the Interpreters, and that the latter \"are either Chinese or Portuguese, persons of no position, and who have neither education nor sufficient knowledge of the English language to qualify them for their important and most responsible duties.\" Sir HERCULES ROBINSON further states, that to abate this evil he determined at first to allow each officer a Chinese teacher, but finds now that little good can be effected by the measure, and that he therefore prepared a scheme for Cadetships differing from the Foreign Office scheme in but two points, viz., that the study of Chinese shall not commence until after the arrival of the Cadet in China, and that the Cadetships be not confined to King's College, London, but competed for by students of three or more colleges.\n\n(b.) Defects of the Cadetship Scheme of 1861.\n\nWithout going into a detailed description of this Cadetship Scheme, a copy of which I append, I venture to offer a few criticisms of its salient practical features. The first objection I would raise to Sir HERCULES ROBINSON's scheme refers to the misleading analogy between the Consular Service and the Hongkong Civil Service, on which he had been advised to base his interpretation scheme. A Consular Student Interpreter has but one fixed local dialect to acquire, the dialect of Pekin City, which is spoken or supposed to be spoken by all Mandarins in every part of the Empire. And as regards the written language also, he is required to study but one fixed style, the official documentary style. A Hongkong Interpreter, knowing but one local dialect, could practically do next to nothing. Even that one dialect principally spoken here, Cantonese, is in our Courts scarcely ever heard in its purity but almost invariably in a form representing an intermixture of different local variations of Cantonese (Tung-kún, San-ning, San-úi, &c.) with Hakka and Hoklo dialects, all widely varying from each other. And as to documentary translation, the documents which have to be translated for use of our Courts or for the purposes of the various Departments and especially the Survey Department, or for the purposes of the Executive and the Government Gazette, comprise such a variety of different styles of the Chinese language, that any comparison with the requirements of Consular Interpretation becomes absolutely misleading. It was this false analogy which subsequently led even Sir THOMAS WADE, after examining the first few Cadets, ten months after their arrival in Hongkong, to express his surprise at their seeming backwardness and to advise, in opposition to Dr. LEGGE'S counsels, their discontinuing the study of the classical style (see Governor's Despatch No. 146 of 8th August 1863 and enclosure).\n\nSir HERCULES ROBINSON'S scheme starts, accordingly, with a radical error, in requiring the holders of these Cadetships to devote themselves only \"for a certain time\" after their arrival in the Colony to\n\n(15)\n\nDec.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-190 - Governor Hennessy - 1880 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 308486, "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": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "page_number": 476, "title": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "content_text": "Of the various sections of enlightened organised society, none more deservedly holds the high position it occupies than the department of the Law. Being the science which governs the actions of men when collected in communities, directing their conduct towards each other in their various relations arising out of the circumstances of private and public economy, encouraging their industry, supporting their rights, and throwing its strong protecting arm around their property, liberties, and lives, the Law is naturally looked up to with love, reverence, and awe. The high ministers of the Law, as being the exponents of that grand science, are accordingly clothed with power as their position necessitates, and as a rule the nature of their lofty calling makes itself seen in the erudition, impartiality, self-control, self-respect, conscientiousness, and dignity of these Titans of a noble profession. Indeed, happily for the reputation of British law, these attributes have been exemplified so long, so faithfully, and so consistently by its officers that in our times to speak of an English Judge is at once suggestive of an embodiment of the qualities spoken of. Occasionally, however, it happens that the unsophisticated mind receives a shock upon witnessing the descent of a justice from the pedestal to which by association public opinion has exalted him. An ebullition of temper, a cruel cut, an unseemly action, and the ideal calm dignity of the judge becomes lost in contemplation of the ordinary mortal's infirmities.\n\nSome such shock must have been received by those who were so unfortunate as to suffer from, or be witness of, the extraordinarily hostile attitude assumed by Sir JOHN SMALE, Chief Justice of Hongkong, yesterday. A report of the circumstances will be found in another column. The case for hearing on the occasion in question was that of Kway Hor CHUNE and Others v. Foxa Sur FUNG and Others. The Attorney-General and barristers who represented the parties were in attendance, and twelve special jurors were present in answer to their summonses. Amongst the spectators were some English-speaking Chinese. As will be seen from the report, the case was not heard, the Court collapsing in consequence of the querulousness and impatience of the Chief Justice. His Lordship was evidently in one of the worst of his occasional ill humours, and, so far from taking pains to conceal it, he gave it a free rein and permitted it to trample bar, officers, and jurors alike under foot.\n\nIt is unnecessary to dilate upon the lamentable facts (for lamentable it must always be to witness conduct so opposed to the usual preconceived notions of judicial propriety); they speak for themselves to all lovers of common courtesy, civility, and order; and the only conclusion to be drawn is that the Chief Justice permitted himself to carry matters further than he intended; we charitably hope so. Even allowing this, the fact remains that everyone in the Court was insulted, the Attorney-General was flouted and denied a hearing, much in the same manner as some mothers refuse an application for pudding on the ground that the child had previously stated they required none. This sort of nursery ethics is scarcely strong enough when Judges and Attorneys-General are concerned. When individuals, although high legal functionaries, become advanced in years perhaps some excuse may, in charity, be made for petulance of the kind, but we know not what can justify the slight offered to those gentlemen who attended as Special Jurors; what had they done that they should have been left without a word? Scant ceremony, too, did the Registrar and Usher receive; indeed, unlike Phillis, everyone \"failed to please.\"\n\nIn spite of numerous judgments reversed on appeal, it is our pleasure to say that Sir JOHN SMALE has been a most worthy and creditable occupant of the Bench. In the Criminal Court, he has shone as a lecturer of the first water; it is to be hoped that for yesterday's performance he will call himself to task and rate himself as he so well knows how to rate others. His Lordship should know that in making the solemn business of the law a matter for laughter and derision, he has not been slightly at fault.\n\nWe say this with profound regret, not less so for His Lordship himself than for the British law as a grand and stately institution. It may be that the ebullition referred to was induced by his Lordship's ill health, and if that be so he has the sincere sympathy of all. That circumstance would, however, point to the necessity for his early retirement from official life. A judge should not only be able to perform his duties, but to do so well; and we affirm that to give rein to the temper, whether arising from indisposition or not, incapacitates a judge from the due performance of his duties, wherein so much of calm consideration, keen penetration, and searching analysis are demanded. Should, however, the loss of temper be attributable to causes other than indisposition we can only say tant pis. Fortunately, it is seldom that a member of the British judiciary leaves the bench followed by derisive laughter from bar and jurors; it is therefore to be hoped that the unpleasant sound may long linger in His Lordship's ears, reminding him of what a departure from customary judicial composure is capable of evoking, and warn him of a repetition of it in future. Quantum mutatus ab illo!\n\n468", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 310839, "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": "CO129-196 - Public Offices & Others - 1881", "page_number": 419, "title": "CO129-196 - Public Offices & Others - 1881", "content_text": "of vegetation. Their impoverished soil demands this by them and they scavenge their cities for this human product less on sanitary grounds than for agricultural purposes.\n\nHouse sewage and all other forms of refuse and garbage are left to putrefy in the streets and back-yards, eventually to be washed away by the rains or to be converted into dust by a tropical sun.\n\nTurning from the vile city to the Colony of Hong Kong, we find a different state of things. English ideas as against Chinese ideas have here prevailed until recently. English Governors have for thirty-seven years been endeavouring to induce the 100,000 Chinese who live under the protection of the British flag to set aside their filthy habits and conform to the hygienic rules of Western life. These Governors have only partially succeeded, but the result notwithstanding is a marked difference between the English City of Victoria and the Chinese towns on the mainland.\n\nIn Hong Kong, the filth and garbage of each house are not allowed to be thrown out into the streets for the pigs to wallow in, and left there to accumulate until the thoroughfares become impassable. There is an elaborate scavenging contract under the terms of which, the Public Works Department is able to remove from the town every night the whole of the refuse of the previous day.\n\nAs in India, the night-soil of every house is removed before daylight by carriers. Dustbins are dotted about the town and are scavenged daily. The purity of the water supply is jealously guarded. There is a Sanitary Police and a Government Inspector of Nuisances under most able officers willing to perform their duties, if their hands were not restrained.\n\nUntil the departure of Sir Arthur Kennedy in 1877, there appears to have been a steady and constant improvement in the condition of the town, and in all other sanitary branches, and the Colony was gradually losing that very unenviable reputation it acquired in 1866 when the excessive mortality of the garrison in Hong Kong attracted the attention of Parliament and led to an enquiry of the House of Commons into the subject.\n\nBut since the advent of the present Governor, there has been a complete reversal of the wise policy of his predecessors in sanitary matters. To the no small consternation of the English community, Sir John Hennessy has adopted Chinese views in this as in other questions of public interest, although it was considered that he would espouse English ideas, at least in health matters.\n\nThis, however, has not been the case, for His Excellency has derived his inspirations from ignorant Chinese traders and trading guilds composed of unscientific natives utterly incompetent to advise on the points submitted to them; and what is equally to be regretted, he has paralyzed the hands of English functionaries of the Government Sanitary staff. The Surgeon-General having protested against the further spread of fever dens in the shape of...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-196 - Public Offices & Others - 1881.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 321125, "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": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "page_number": 504, "title": "CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3]", "content_text": "The building of an educational establishment for ... irrevocably bequeathed to ... in trust deed for that purpose. It would not be to the advantage of ... property unless the amount obtained from the government is based on reasonable quotations, laid before the ... Buildings Grant to be deemed adequate. I hope that this scheme, as outlined by the Secretary of that committee, that when approaching the maximum permitted by their ... may regret the loss of ... action ... ids freedom of ... would be too much ... \n\nMy Mission must, however, be supported by the Government's support for the school and school building, for the cause of education and that institution ... when we consider that in the Colony we have done good ... \n\nThe Cor... \"im all ... B Amend address made by ... for many years ... Ang years from the government ... CAM wordly easily be seen by the ... was the resin eco Regis of prizes at St. Joseph's College ... \n\nIn its balance sheet having left the Colony, Acting Inspector of Schools, in reply to an opinion that a grant for the building should be ... Mr. Us. B. Wright expressed his views in our last letter. We ... Mr. Price the ... sathing forth masszony. Although we inspect the building as directed by ... Wright and the site and building ... This breelance ... The Administrator as well as Mr. ... former with love and his report about ... letter his comments ... \n\n... ma Sheet Invited annese hard ... двортія view aalance sheet on Mr. Tried's ... for ... те ... ཅཨ-ཉཱཏྟསཝཏྟཾ ... \n\nYour Lordships will take petition in a ... པོའརྒུ༽ སྙཝང་་འ ... have the honor to be ... ཨཱརཨཱཙཱིཏིཙ༦ ཋཱཀྑུམཱ ཝིང༦༤ཏཾ པཱཛཾ ཨཱདིཙ ... E. Kaimendi ... f ... C.O. 6 920 RECO REGE 24.APP. \n\nThe condition attached to the prize a boy getting it should remain at least one year longer in the school. May I add that next year Mr. Belillos has promised to give to St. Joseph's College two Scholarships. The extreme kindness of him will, no doubt, induce others to follow his good example. (Applause). \n\nWith regard to the Christian Brothers, I think there is no need of speaking of their ability in educating the young. I will only say that last year when I was in America, though I have always appreciated the Christian Brothers, I did not let the occasion pass without watching their works, and I must say I was astonished when I saw the immense amount of good which had been done by them in America. In all the principal cities of the United States, I was shown their magnificent schools, colleges, and academies in which they are authorized by the government to confer degrees to their pupils, where I heard them praised not only by Catholics but by all lovers of America. I met the Christian Brothers at Guayaquil in Ecuador and in Chili, they are doing wonders. While they are thoroughly able to impart solid education, you must not think that the lighter and serious subjects are neglected by them. They teach music and declamation, and today we shall have specimens of the boys' ability in that direction. If you look at the programme, you will find that we are to have music, declamation, and a little farce. I hope these things will amaze you and compensate you in some degree for the time I have taken up, again thanking you for your presence. \n\nTHE CATHOLIC REGISTER. The prizes were then distributed to the fortunate scholars, after which the following programme was put through with credit to all concerned. My Mother.....Master E. Figueriedo, CLASS VI. The Cockatoo ............ Master J. Alves. CLASS V. The Child's First Grief ( Masters H. and F. Figueiredo. CLASS IV. The Vision of Baltassar Master M. Danenberg, CLASS III, Brutus to the Romans......Master I. Leon. Mark Antony.........Master C. Danenberg. CLASS II. The Cork Leg...........Master A. Adams, CLASS I. A FARCE, The Prince of Oresca.....Master G. Jorge Gusman (his Valet) Master M. Danenberg. Master Barago (Chimney Sweep) { A. Adams. Prince's Secretary) Don Cæsar Domingo (Don Diego's Valet) Petitequese (French Dentist) Master L. Cuatro. Master V. Fraire. Master F. Jesus. GOD SAVE THE Queen. \n\nWe are informed on good authority that the Japanese Government has appointed a Minister to the Court of St. James with legation in Lisbon. \n\nEXCELLENT the ADMINISTRATOR -My Lord Bishop, ladies, and gentlemen--In the first place, I must thank his Lordship Bishop Raimondi, and also Brother Cyprian for inviting me to be present at this ceremony-the annual distribution of prizes of St. Joseph's College. To the pupils, I have no doubt that this is the principal event of the year, and I have no doubt the parents of the boys look forward to it with equal anxiety, as it is an occasion which gives them an insight into the progress which their sons have made during the year, and what prizes they have won. I have listened with great interest to the description given by his Lordship, Bishop Raimondi, of the progress which has been made by the boys under the care of the Christian Brothers during the past year under great difficulties, as the school was being transferred from one building to another. I have also listened with much interest to the history I have heard of the great amount of good which has been done in this colony by the Christian Brothers, and I am sure their services are appreciated (applause). To Brother Cyprian and his assistants, who have during the past year done so much, I am sure that the praise which has been bestowed by the Bishop must have been very gratifying. It is sometimes a thankless task to impart education to the young, as boys do not always appreciate education, though they will repent not having done so in after years (applause). This is one of the two principal educational establishments of the colony, and therefore the Government takes great interest in its progress. Now that it is removed to this large building, I have no doubt that its sphere of usefulness will be considerably extended. There is, I see, a long programme to be gone through, and therefore I will not take up your time any longer, as I have no doubt it will be much more interesting to the audience than any remarks I could make.\n\nPage 501\n\nThe Macao Government have approved the project for the erection of a Church and College at the Island of Taipa. We are glad indeed to see that the Portuguese Government have at last returned to their old policy of civilizing the heathen, which made Portugal great in former centuries. \n\nA curious conflict has broken out between the Roumanian Church and the Greek Patriarch of Constantinople. The latter accuses the Metropolitan of Roumania and his flock of falling away from the \"orthodox\" belief and inclining to the Church of Rome. Among other reasons alleged are the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar, and the neglect of the custom of procuring the Holy Oil from the Patriarch. The Metropolitan and people are therefore threatened with anathema. Should the excommunication be fulminated, we shall be curious to see what course the Roumanians will adopt. \n\nWith your Lordship's permission, we will now proceed to the distribution of prizes. \n\nThe Independente of Macao, in its last issue, criticised at great length a small paragraph which appeared in our last number, sent by the Independente of the Macao press. We must confess that the Independente utterly failed in its criticism, which has done nothing less than confirm us in our belief that the mention of the Colonial Secretary in connection with the emigration affair has been avoided in order not to give offense in some quarters. We would simply ask if it is a fair sample of our Macao contemporary's independence, the virulent manner with which it has attacked the Colonial Secretary in almost all its issues, simply because De Corte-Real happens to be in strained relations with some public functionaries in Macao. We admit that the Colonial Secretary has a host of political enemies, as it is always the case when a man in power pursues a vigorous policy, but this is no reason for the Independente to attack that gentleman in such an unjustifiable way. We think every right-minded man will concur with us in supposing that the Independente is simply the mouthpiece of the disaffected public functionaries, and, as we are credibly informed, that paper has been resuscitated by them with the object of attacking ... \n\nUnder these circumstances, we must decline entering into any controversy whatever, and the question, as far as we are concerned, must therefore be dropped. \n\nWe learn that the Jesuit Fathers of St. Louis, Missouri, are to begin in the spring the erection of a magnificent new church and college in that city. The plans have been sent to Rome for approval, and it is expected that the church is to be on the plan of the great cathedral of Milan. College and church are to cost more than a million dollars --£250,000. \n\nAccording to the Bombay Gazette, the coffee plant is threatened with an enemy, just as the potato and the grape are. This enemy is a small and very rapidly growing fungus, which has already done great havoc among the coffee-plants of Ceylon, Java, and elsewhere. In the latter, the local Government has intervened, bought up the infected plantations, and burnt all the plants. \n\nThe great robbery of the treasure of the Church of St. Denis, in which the sacred vessels given by Francis I. and Louis XIV. and his successors, the crowns of Louis XVI. and Marie Antoinette, and--worst of all--a great relic of the True Cross, were carried off, turns out to have been committed by a wandering tribe of Bohemians or gipsies from Germany, called Rantocheills. It will probably not be difficult to trace such peculiar criminals, but we are sorry to see nothing about the recovery of the treasure. \n\nTHE Rt. Rev. Dom Antonio Joaquim de Medeiros, Bishop Elect of Thermopylae, and Coadjutor to His Grace the Archbishop of Goa, arrived in Bombay by the Australian Mail Steamer, Sultany, last Saturday morning. Shortly after the steamer dropped anchor, the Rev. Fathers J. L. Monteiro and N. Clarke, S. J., deputed respectively by the Archbishop of Goa and the Vicar-Apostolic of Bombay, with the Very Rev. the Portuguese Vicar General, the Vicar of Bandora, and the Vicar of Cavel went on board to receive His Lordship and accompany him to the residence of Bishop Morais, whose guest he has been during the week. At 5 o'clock yesterday evening, he embarked for Goa on board the Portuguese troopship India, which is to sail for that port early this morning. The date of His Lordship's consecration has not yet been definitively settled, but we believe the ceremony will take place at Goa soon after Easter. \n\nWe now have an authentic declaration that Mr. Darwin, whose praises have been sung by Bishops of the Church of England, and whose funeral was conducted as a religious ceremony, considered that he had no more a soul than a pig has. \"The controversy as to the exact nature of Darwin's religious belief, which has arisen from the publication of a reply sent by him to a German student, has brought forward Dr. Robert Lewins, who, writing to the Journal of Science, says: \"Before concluding, I may, without violation of any confidence, mention that, both viva voce and in writing, Mr. Darwin was much less reticent to myself than in his letter to Jona. For, in answer to the direct question I felt myself justified, some years since, in addressing to that immortal expert in biology as to the bearing of his researches on the existence of an anima or soul in man, he distinctly stated that, in his opinion, a vital or 'spiritual' principle, apart from inherent somatic energy, had no more locus standi in the human than in the other races of the animal kingdom--a conclusion that seems a mere corollary of, or indeed a position tantamount with, his essential doctrine of human and bestial identity of nature and genesis.\" Those are now the prophets of Israel--we have reached the lowest form of degradation. \n\nEdward Strauss has lately given a telephonic concert in Vienna. The satire orchestra of the Director of State Balls played in a room at a distance of 14 and 30 German miles (or some 60 and 130 English miles) respectively from the audiences. Four microphones were employed, and the music was heard quite clearly; even the tones of the flutes and stringed instruments being perfectly pure. \n\nChristmas at the Vatican has been unusually cheerful. The Pope has received a large number of letters from Sovereigns and great personages in various countries, couched in specially affectionate and cordial terms. An extraordinarily large number of presents has also reached the Vatican--money, articles of value, and vast quantities of eatables of all imaginable sorts. All the eatables were at once distributed among poor nuns, friars, and needy families. \n\nAs an example of the mutability of Anglicanism, scarcely any Anglican now remembers that, about thirty years ago, the Eastern Church was the grand ideal of High Churchmen. Cardinal Newman has just edited a book by Mr. Palmer, or rather, has written a preface to the book, in which he calls to mind the passionate yearning for communion which used to agitate High Churchmen towards Greek Churchmen. Poor Mr. Palmer is not alive; yet he devoted many years in trying to unite modern Anglicanism with that most effete of all schisms, the Greek Church. \"When I was a boy, the Holy Eastern Church was always spoken of as the oasis of Christendom; as that one only ideal in which primitive orthodoxy was united with modern freedom and National Churchism. Nobody now hears of the Greek Church! And the Greek Church hears as little of Anglicanism. I remember meeting Mr. Palmer in Rome, shortly after he entered the Catholic Church, and asking him whether he thought that the Holy Eastern Church had any yearning for communion with Anglicanism. He replied that the great difficulty which he had met with, in the days when he used to try to bring about the union, was that scarcely a member of the Greek Church knew what Anglicanism was, or had so much as heard of the Archbishop of Canterbury. \n\nA case of special interest to Catholics has recently been decided in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. A professing Catholic, named Denis Copper, had bought ground for a grave in the Catholic cemetery of Calvary. Subsequently, he became a Freemason, and died without being reconciled to the Church. The ecclesiastical authorities, therefore, took no part in the funeral, and refused to admit the body to the cemetery, on the ground that the deceased, by his own act, had separated himself from the Church, and had consequently lost all right to a Catholic burial. His heirs or representatives thereupon summoned the priest before the district Court, and pleaded the purchase of the ground, and the Court gave judgment in their favour, and ordered that the interment should take place. But, on appeal to the Supreme Court of the State, this judgment was reversed, and the Court confirmed the right of the authorities of the Church to enforce its discipline against those who had voluntarily submitted to it. Those, said Judge Barrett, who voluntarily quit it, or are expelled from it, lose all the rights conditional on belonging to it; that is a consequence which they must have foreseen when they entered the Church. And the essential rule of the Catholic Church is the submission of the faithful to their spiritual superiors. The Bien Public of Ghent, which records this case, contrasts the action of the American Court with that of the Belgian authorities in analogous cases, and remarks on the difference between the two.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-207 - Acting Governor Marsh - 1883 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 321602, "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": "CO129-209 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [5]", "page_number": 15, "title": "CO129-209 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [5]", "content_text": "20\n\n14\n\n2/\n\nconveyed in the\n\ndefinite instructions conveyed Earl of Kimberley's despatch W:191 of - the 5th September ultimo; with which forwarded the decision of Earl\n\nwas\n\nGranville\n\nville on\n\nthe same.\n\nwill, of course,\n\nbe\n\nout\n\nloyally\n\nsubjest. It\n\nmy duty to carry\n\nin this, as in all other\n\nmatters, the instructions of Her\n\nabbajesty's Government.\n\nIn conclusion, I may\n\nbe permitted to mention that, apart\n\nfrom the immediate and official\n\nobjects of my\n\nvisit,\n\nmy brief stay\n\nin Canton was most interesting and\n\ninstructive\n\nFo. 15399\n\n-\n\ninstructive _ I was the guest of our\n\nConsul at the \"English Yamun -\n\n#\n\nor\n\nValace, in the heart of the vast city,\n\nwhich was\n\nformerly the official residence of one of the highest\n\nwith\n\nFunctionaries of the Empire, but was ceded to England after the\n\ntermination of the last war with China. I exchanged the customary formal visits with the Governor of the Province, and with the General Commanding the garrison of Manchu Tartars, the race which conquered\n\nChina in the 17th century, but which\n\nhas", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-209 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [5].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 322135, "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": "CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7]", "page_number": 7, "title": "CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7]", "content_text": "## C 0. 6\n\n120\n\nSome points, the English difficulties at Randlema four years ago. In both cases the troops from Europe appear to have fallen into an ambuscade; and, in both cases, to have overmuch \"despised the enemy\". Reinforcements both naval and Military, have been despatched from France to Inguin. I annex a translation of the Proclamation issued on the 25th ultimo by the French Governor of Cochin China :-\n\n**République Française**\n\nThe Governor of Cochin-China to the Functionaries, Officers, and inhabitants of the Colony-Painful news has reached us from Tonquin. After having repulsed with success during two days the investing troops massed around Hanoi, and having inflicted on them serious losses, Commandant Rivière, at the head of a detachment of 400 men belonging to the marine infantry and the landing parties of the Victorieuse and Villars, attempted, on the morning of the 19th May, another sortie. Surprised in an ambuscade held by the Black Flags, and borne down by numbers, Commandant Rivière ordered a retreat, and was killed while himself engaged in drawing off the artillery, which was on the point of falling into the hands of the enemy. At his side there were mortally wounded Captain Jacquio, Lieut. de Brisés, and Midshipman Moulin. The Chef de Bataillon Berthe de Vilars was seriously wounded; seven other officers were wounded, and seventy men placed hors de combat. The troops re-entered Hanoi, where they are entrenched. Energetic measures have been taken to keep our positions and repel any attack. Eight days ago two companies were dispatched from Saigon to Tonquin. More important reinforcements will be embarked to-night. In presence of those events, which have so strongly impressed the entire colony, the Governor appeals to the patriotism of his fellow-citizens, and recommends to them calm and confidence. In the name of France, in the name of Cochin-China, he hereby renders solemn homage to the memory of our brave officers, soldiers, and marines who have fallen on the field of honour, and to the memory of their Chief, who is mourned by all.\n\nVive la France ! Vive la République !\n\nSaigon, 25th May, 1883.\n\nThe Governor, CHARLES THOMSON.\n\n## 4. The \"Black Flags\" against whom the French are fighting appear to be an organized and formidable confederacy of banditti, recalling the Mahratta and Pindaree with whom the English long contended in India.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 322406, "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": "CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7]", "page_number": 278, "title": "CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7]", "content_text": "practically of the Corps.\n\nH. retained the supervision\n\nOn the other hand, the Executive Council, (including the Attorney-General), and the Judges of the Supreme Court, strongly advised me in favour of the appointment, at the present time, and with regard to the position and state of the Police Force, of a Military Officer, who, like Captain Dempster, has already proved in this Colony his special capacity for Civil employment of this nature. My own opinion entirely concurs with that of the experienced Functionaries referred to, but even if this had been otherwise, I should have been inclined to distrust my own judgment if opposed to theirs in a matter of this kind.\n\nI desire it to be understood that nothing can be further from my wish or intention than to invest a Civil Police Corps with too Military a character. But seeing that the English and Sikh portion of the Police Force at Hongkong is regularly armed with rifles and sword-bayonets,\n\nPage 269", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-210 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [6-7].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 322776, "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": "CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9]", "page_number": 133, "title": "CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9]", "content_text": "by Governors in Canada and Australasia; which countries are, in comparison, rarely visited by Foreigners of personal or official distinction. On the other hand, \n\nHongkong, owing to its geographical position, is the central and principal harbour of the China coast, constantly visited by Admirals and Squadrons; by Ambassadors, Ministers and other High Functionaries of the chief Foreign Powers; and by a flow of distinguished travellers of all nations. There are frequently at anchor in this port for weeks together three or four Admirals and squadrons, I myself have already entertained seven (7) Admirals and Ministers during the brief period that I have held this Government. Indeed, the Governor is expected to keep (as it were) open house for the Naval and Diplomatic Representatives of Foreign Powers, as well as for the English Fleet and Garrison, and for the leaders of the resident European community; and it is important,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-211 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [8-9].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 323312, "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": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "page_number": 120, "title": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "content_text": "118\n\nthem\n\nthat this is the case from seeing together. Sir Henry Parkes further thinks that my hearty support is useful to him in many ways; and that in particular, I have facilitated his proceedings by maintaining a cordial understanding (very different from the relations sometimes existing between English and French Functionaries elsewhere) with the French Minister and Admiral in China.\n\nAgain, Sir Harry Parkes, and all competent judges consider that\n\nthe\n\nthe sullen isolation - almost like that of Chinese Mandarins of the old school, - maintained by certain former English Functionaries at Hongkong,\n\nwas\n\nand\n\nwho generally knew as little of China as the English at Gibraltar generally know of Spain, prejudicial in many ways, that I have materially promoted British interests by establishing friendly personal relations with Li-Hung-Chang, the Viceroy of\n\n--\n\nChina, (as he is called,) with the Viceroy of Canton, and with the\n\nother\n\nPage 120\n\nPage 121", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 323351, "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": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "page_number": 159, "title": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "content_text": "6\n\n157\n\nchief Representatives of England in this quarter of the globe, namely,\n\nthe Governor of Hongkong and Her Majesty's Minister in China, should be on the most friendly terms, personally and officially; and,\n\nthat the Chinese Authorities should know that this is the case, the Governor should make a point of seeing them together; - as the quest of the Minister at Peking, and the Minister as the quest of the Governor at Hongkong. It is further thought useful to the English Legation in many ways; and that, in particular, I have facilitated its proceedings by establishing a cordial understanding (very different from the relations sometimes existing between English and French Functionaries elsewhere), with the French Minister and Admiral in China. Again, Sir Harry Parkes and all other competent judges, consider that the sort of sullen isolation, almost like that of Chinese Mandarins of the old school, maintained by certain ...\n\nformer ...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 323352, "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": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "page_number": 160, "title": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "content_text": "1589\n\nformer English Functionaries at Hong Kong, was, directly and indirectly, prejudicial; and that I have materially promoted British interests by establishing friendly personal relations with Li-Hung Chang, \"the Bismarck of China\" (as he is generally called); with the Viceroy of the great neighbouring Province of Canton; and with other leading Chinese Statesmen. The reigning Emperor of China is a minor; and has never yet been seen by any foreigner.\n\nBut I was presented by Sir Harry Parkes at the Tsungli-Yamên Taungli-Yamên Foreign Office to the Ministers and other officers of State, who form the Cabinet and Board of Regency, which practically governs the Empire. They all received me with great courtesy and distinction, while Prince Kung, the uncle of the Emperor, and President of the Council of Ministers, conferred on me a special mark of respect. Li Hung Chang also gave a banquet in my honour, to which the", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 323353, "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": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "page_number": 161, "title": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "content_text": "Ministers of England and France, and several high Chinese Functionaries were invited.\n\nF. C With regard to that momentous question - \"Will there be war between France and China?” I had, during my recent visit to Shanghai and Peking, much interesting conversation upon it with the members of the English and of other Legations; with English and other Consuls; with leading Chinese Functionaries, and with leading European and American Merchants. Dir Harry Varhes, and the other most experienced observers of all nationalities, confirm the views on this subject which I have shadowed forth in several previous despatches. China has throughout been playing a waiting game. Her leading statesmen, fearing, perhaps, a renewal of internal rebellion, (like that of the Taiping?), even more than external attack, - generally desire peace; but they are energetically preparing for war, if it should finally prove inevitable", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 323517, "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": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "page_number": 325, "title": "CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11]", "content_text": "320\n\n4.\n\nA\n\nonly $960 a year, should not be specified as conferring a seat in that Council\"\n\nRespecting this statement & would ask permission to offer the subjoined remark on\n\n{\n\n(1) a observations on\n\nIt would appear that my this point have been overlooked. For I entirely agree that an Executive Council of seven members (including the Governor), would be \"unnecessarily large\" for this Colony, if there were or even any certainty, or probability;\n\nMesh: We 62, para 7\n\nof the constant attendance of those members. But I have already shown that \"At Hong Kong it is necessary at all times & absolutely necessary\n\n#\n\nfor the preservation of the vigour, often for the preservation of the \"lives, of the English Officials, that they should be allowed periodical leave of absense. Consequently; it is\n\nX\n\nThree of the principal Functionaries of this Government have died within the last twelve months; and, according to the best medical opinions, the lives of two, at least, (Mr Justice Snowden and Mr. ... that he was ...), might have been saved by their proceeding to Europe on leave.\n\n... certami havha Extender the hap caffed but he chove to go, thinking the voyage to China might do him good. He died", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-212 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1883 [10-11].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325533, "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": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 122, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "Page 127\n\n121\n\nsuffered to reside at the Port of Canton. In former years, Foreign merchants paid to the Hoppo for his good, assiduous Court for will, and for the safety of their lives and property; just as in the early days of European settlement in India, the Foreign merchants paid court, with similar objects, to the somewhat analogous officer, called the \"Dewan\", of the Mogul Emperors. The relative positions of English and native Functionaries in the East have mightily changed.\n\nStill it is practically important in the interests of Peace and Commerce, that the Governor of Hong Kong should maintain a cordial understanding with the Viceroy and Haikwan of Canton, such as I have established with these and with other high Functionaries of the Chinese Empire.\n\nI have the honour to be\n\nMy Lord,\n\nYour Lordship's Most Obedient Humble Servant,\n\nSMBowen\n\n凡", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 325716, "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": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "page_number": 305, "title": "CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6]", "content_text": "## Enclosure 2.\n\n**The Daily Press.**\n\nHong Kong, May 27th, 1884.\n\nAs we imagined would prove to be the case, the French version of the Convention of Tientsin, signed on the 11th inst., varies considerably from the translation given from the Chinese text. There are more or less unimportant differences in each article, but the versions of Article IV show the widest discrepancy, as will be seen from the comparison hereunder:\n\n| FROM CHINESE TEXT | FROM FRENCH TEXT |\n| --- | --- |\n| France agrees that in future, in making or altering any treaty with Annam, she will in no case insert expressions derogatory to the prestige or dignity of China, and she will annul all her existing treaties with Annam which injuriously affect Tonquin. | The French Government undertakes not to employ any expression which might impugn the prestige of the Celestial Empire in drawing up the definitive treaty which it is about to contract with Annam, which will abrogate the previous treaties relative to Tonquin. |\n\nAs the French text is to be considered the correct one, it thus appears that France has undertaken to make a new treaty with Annam which is to abrogate all existing treaties relative to Tonquin, and as a concession to Chinese self-love, she will refrain from using any expressions derogatory to the ancient suzerain of Annam, which means, probably, that no reference at all to China will be made in the new Annamite Treaty. There is not the slightest reference to China in the two treaties concluded in 1874 by France with Annam; but the Chinese Government are aware of the fact that in the treaty with Annam concluded at Hué on the 25th August last the French required a distinct renunciation of all allegiance to China by the King of that country, and this was secured in the following terms:\n\nARTICLE - Annam recognises and accepts the protectorate of France with the consequences which, according to European international law, attend this relationship, that is to say, France shall control the relations of all powers, including China, with the Annamite Government, which may communicate with the said powers only through the intermediation of France.\n\nChina probably regarded this special mention of her name as derogatory, and the French have had consideration for her feelings on this point, but the effect of the Hué treaty will remain unimpaired in fact by the alteration, as China will be included in the term \"all foreign powers.\" The great point in Article IV of the Tientsin Convention is, in our opinion, the clause which states that France is about to draw up a definitive treaty with Annam which will abrogate part of the Treaty of the 15th March, 1874, the Treaty of the 31st August, 1874 (which is a treaty of commerce relating chiefly to Tonquin), and the unratified Hué Treaty. M. PATENOTRE is now on his way to Hué in order to negotiate this definitive treaty, and it will be interesting to note its provisions and see whether it will provide for the cession of the whole or part of Tonquin or for the establishment of a French Protectorate merely. In either case, the administration of the country will be directed by the French, and the Customs controlled by them. Possibly some other ports may be opened to foreign trade.\n\nThe French will not be likely to loosen their hold upon the country, however much they may be inclined to make it appear that they only intend to restore order and show the Annamite mandarins how to govern. In the Hué treaty the scheme provided for was the government of the country by native mandarins, under the supervision of French Residents, the system being pretty much the same as that adopted with regard to the native states in the Malayan Peninsula under English protection. The Residents were to abstain from interference with the interior administration of the provinces, but were to exercise control over the native functionaries, whose removal they might in certain events demand, to administer justice as between Europeans and natives, to control the police and to supervise the collection of the impost service, while the Customs were to be entirely confided to French administration.\n\nIt is worthy of remark that Article V of the new Convention fixes the time when the Plenipotentiaries of France and China are to meet for the purpose of elaborating a definitive treaty, which is within three months, from which it will be seen the French do not intend to allow the grass to grow under their feet before the difficulty is finally settled. The delay in coming to any agreement at all was prolonged enough, and the parties to the settlement are now as eager to see the matter brought to a termination as they were at one time willing to let it drift. Having swallowed the unpleasant draught, China is now only anxious to have the difficulty satisfactorily arranged. She has tried very hard to secure \"peace with honour,\" how far she has succeeded is sufficiently problematical. One thing, however, is certain: she has got off very cheaply from the payment of a heavy indemnity that would have crippled her resources for some years.\n\nThe concessions she has made with regard to French trade over the Tonquin frontier with the provinces of Yunnan, Kwangsi, and Kwangtung will cost her nothing, and at the same time they are likely to lead to an important development of commerce which will not fail to cause increment to the revenue. It has ever been thus with China. The concessions to foreign countries which have, from time to time, been unwillingly wrung from her, have all conduced greatly to her ultimate advantage. A great deal of pity has been very needlessly wasted upon China by the humanitarian party in England. China is very weak, and never has she shown her impotence more than during this dispute re Tonquin; but her Government have a valuable fund upon which they can draw in making agreements with Western States in the shape of commercial concessions, and the jealousies of the Powers will serve to prevent any single one among them from demanding any concession that is either unreasonable or beyond the ability of China to grant.\n\nPage 304", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 327315, "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": "CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884", "page_number": 103, "title": "CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884", "content_text": "# ARTICLE V\n\n4 officially communicated by the Corean authorities to the British Consul at the port concerned, but shall not remain longer in force than is absolutely necessary.\n\n7. All British ships shall pay tonnage dues at the rate of 30 cents (Mexican) per register ton. One such payment will entitle a vessel to visit any or all of the open ports in Corea during a period of four months without further charge. All tonnage dues shall be appropriated for the purposes of erecting lighthouses and beacons, and placing buoys on the Corean coast, more especially at the approaches to the open ports, and in deepening or otherwise improving the anchorages. No tonnage dues shall be charged on boats employed at the open ports in landing or shipping cargo.\n\n8. In order to carry into effect and secure the observance of the provisions of this Treaty, it is hereby agreed that the Tariff and Trade Regulations hereto annexed shall come into operation simultaneously with this Treaty. The competent authorities of the two countries may, from time to time, revise the said Regulations with a view to the insertion therein, by mutual consent, of such modifications or additions as experience shall prove to be expedient.\n\n## ARTICLE VI\n\nAny British subject who smuggles, or attempts to smuggle, goods into any Corean port or place not open to foreign trade shall forfeit twice the value of such goods, and the goods shall be confiscated. The Corean local authorities may seize such goods, and may arrest any British subject concerned in such smuggling or attempt to smuggle. They shall immediately forward any person so arrested to the nearest British Consul for trial by the proper British judicial authority, and may detain such goods until the case shall have been finally adjudicated.\n\n## ARTICLE VII\n\n1. If a British ship be wrecked or stranded on the coast of Corea, the local authorities shall immediately take such steps to protect the ship and her cargo from plunder, and all the persons belonging to her from ill-treatment, and to render such other assistance as may be required. They shall at once inform the nearest British Consul of the occurrence, and shall furnish the shipwrecked persons, if necessary, means of conveyance to the nearest open port.\n\n2. All expenses incurred by the Government of Corea for the rescue, clothing, maintenance, and travelling of shipwrecked British subjects, for the recovery of the bodies of the drowned, for the medical treatment of the sick and injured, and for the burial of the dead, shall be repaid by the British Government to that of Corea.\n\n3. The British Government shall not be responsible for the repayment of the expenses incurred in the recovery or preservation of a wrecked vessel, or the property belonging to her. All such expenses shall be a charge upon the property saved, and shall be paid by the parties interested therein upon receiving delivery of the same.\n\n4. No charge shall be made by the Government of Corea for the expenses of the Government officers, local functionaries, or police who shall proceed to the wreck, for the travelling expenses of officers escorting the shipwrecked men, nor for the expenses of official correspondence. Such expenses shall be borne by the Corean Government.\n\n5. Any British merchant-ship compelled by stress of weather or by want of fuel or provisions to enter an unopened port in Corea shall be allowed to execute repairs, and to obtain necessary supplies. All such expenses shall be defrayed by the master of the vessel.\n\n## ARTICLE VIII\n\n1. The ships of war of each country shall be at liberty to visit all the ports of the other. They shall enjoy every facility for procuring supplies of all kinds, or for making repairs, and shall not be subject to trade or harbour regulations, nor be liable to the payment of duties or port charges of any kind.\n\n2. When British ships of war visit unopened ports in Corea, the officers and men may land, but shall not proceed into the interior unless they are provided with passports.\n\n3. Supplies of all kinds for the use of the British navy may be landed at the open ports of Corea, and stored in the custody of a British officer, without the payment of any duty. But if any such supplies are sold, the purchaser shall pay the proper duty to the Corean authorities.\n\n4. The Corean Government will afford all the facilities in their power to ships belonging to the British Government which may be engaged in making surveys in Corean waters.\n\n## ARTICLE IX\n\n1. The British authorities and British subjects in Corea shall be allowed to employ Corean subjects as teachers, interpreters, servants, or in any other lawful capacity, without any restriction on the part of the Corean authorities; and, in like manner, no restrictions shall be placed upon the employment of British subjects by Corean authorities and subjects in any lawful capacity.\n\n2. Subjects of either nationality who may proceed to the country of the other to study its language, literature, laws, arts, or industries, or for the purpose of scientific research, shall be afforded every reasonable facility for doing so.\n\n## ARTICLE X\n\nIt is hereby stipulated that the Government, public officers, and subjects of Her Britannic Majesty shall, from the day on which this Treaty comes into operation, participate in all privileges, immunities, and advantages, especially in relation to import or export duties on goods and manufactures, which shall then have been granted or may thereafter be granted by His Majesty the King of Corea to the Government, public officers, or subjects of any other Power.\n\n## ARTICLE XI\n\nTen years from the date on which this Treaty shall come into operation, either of the High Contracting Parties may, on giving one year's previous notice to the other, demand a revision of the Treaty or of the Tariff annexed thereto, with a view to the insertion therein, by mutual consent, of such modifications as experience shall prove to be desirable.\n\n## ARTICLE XII\n\n1. This Treaty is drawn up in the English and Chinese languages, both of which versions have the same meaning, but it is hereby agreed that any difference which may arise as to interpretation shall be determined by reference to the English text.\n\n2. For the present all official communications addressed by the British authorities to those of Corea shall be accompanied by a translation into Chinese.\n\n## ARTICLE XIII\n\nThe present Treaty shall be ratified by Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, and by His Majesty the King of Corea, under their hands and seals; the ratifications shall be exchanged at Hanyang (Soul) as soon as possible, or at latest within one year from the date of signature, and the Treaty, which shall be published by both Governments, shall come into operation on the day on which the ratifications are exchanged.\n\nIn witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries above named have signed the present Treaty, and have thereto affixed their seals.\n\nDone in triplicate at Hanyang, this twenty-sixth day of November, in the year eighteen hundred and eighty-three, corresponding to the twenty-seventh day of the tenth month of the four hundred and ninety-second year of the Corean era, being the ninth year of the Chinese reign Kuang Hsü.\n\n(L.S.) (L.S.)\n\n**HARRY S. PARKES**\n\nSignature in Chinese of MIN YÖNG-MOK, the Corean Plenipotentiary.\n\n## Regulations under which British Trade is to be conducted in Corea\n\n## I-Entrance and Clearance of Vessels\n\n1. Within forty-eight hours (exclusive of Sundays and holidays) after the arrival of a British ship in a Corean port, the master shall deliver to the Corean Customs authorities the receipt of the British Consul showing that he has deposited the ship's papers at the British Consulate, and he shall then make an entry of his ship by handing \n\n[107] \n\nPage 102", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-219 Foreign Office 1884.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 327948, "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": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "page_number": 326, "title": "CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3]", "content_text": "324\n\nhere. Toueral Chang Shion, (a Manchu Mandarin of high rank, and said to be allied to the reigning dynasty of China;) who has for many years past commanded the Chinese army in the Southern Provinces of the Empire, of which Canton is the capital: He has been summoned to Peking to consult with the Imperial Authorities on the present aspect of affairs, and passed two days at Hongkong, awaiting the next trip northwards of the Mail-Steamer of the Peninsular and Oriental Company.\n\nSeveral Chinese officials came officially to visit me at the Government House with a numerous suite and retinue, and I received him (like all other Chinese Functionaries,) with exactly the same military and other honours as I give to the English, French, and other European and American Officers of the same rank. During my visit to Canton, he had shown me much hospitable courtesy, and full honour; among other entertainments, I took him to see the English horse-races, which happened to be going on this week, and which his Tartar blood evidently made him enjoy. I also made him acquainted with our retinue.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-220 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [1-3].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 328717, "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": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "page_number": 492, "title": "CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6]", "content_text": "## 430\n\n5 \n\nposition, and I consider that you have shown great tact and ability in steering so successful a course. I have enjoyed the advantage of personal acquaintance with the leading actors in the political drama that has lately been played in this part of the globe, which contains one fourth of the human race, and which must yet fill a great place in the history of the world. While enforcing impartially the laws of neutrality against both Belligerents, I have been so fortunate as to retain the respect and good will of the Officers and Agents of both. And I would repeat that from the beginning of my administration here, I have made the Government House a neutral ground on which English, French, German, Russian, Italian, American, Chinese, and Japanese Ministers, Admirals, Generals, and other high Functionaries frequently meet, and", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-221 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1885 [4-6].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 347643, "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": "CO129-253 - Public Offices & Others - 1891", "page_number": 85, "title": "CO129-253 - Public Offices & Others - 1891", "content_text": "29 \n\nYour servant at once proceeded, on receipt of the above instructions, to address a despatch to the British Foreign Office, quoting the rule of international law, and the established practice of all nations, and stating that China was at liberty to appoint Consuls to reside at different places in the British dominions under those rules, and that as soon as preliminary arrangements should have been made with the Foreign Office your servant would communicate with the Tsung-li Yamên with a view to making satisfactory dispositions, &c.\n\nIn your servant's humble opinion, Consuls are very important functionaries, whilst on the other hand the number of Chinese in the various islands of the South Seas is very great.\n\nUnless a comprehensive view of the whole bearings be taken, it is impossible to be certain what is our true interest in any particular point; and, unless arrangements are made with each country, it is impossible to know what takes place in this or that corner of the world. Your servant therefore begs to lay the whole subject from beginning to end before his august Master.\n\nAs a rule, most foreign States hold commerce to be a foundation of strength and wealth, and they always appoint Consuls at the ports open to trade in each other's countries, in order to protect the merchant. Whenever there are any harassing laws, these remonstrate from time to time in such wise that merchants ply their vocation in comfort, and trade goes on flourishing. At the same time officers travelling for information, and artisans of all kinds, find a home wherever they go.\n\nThe power of Consuls sent by the different European States to China is, however, greater than in other cases, the reason being that, at first, China was ignorant of foreign affairs, and consented to their jurisdiction over their nationals in China, just as though they were local executive officials. In all cases in which foreigners are concerned, such as homicide, claims for debt, &c., it is always the Consul who deals with the case himself, and this often thwarts the action of our own local authorities; the frequent disputes which used to arise in the different Chinese ports were often at bottom owing to this arrangement. Yet even the Consuls in other countries, who have no executive power, and are only there, nominally at least, for the protection of trade, even these officers are looked upon as very important by the different States; and whenever any international interest calls for it, arrangements are made to appoint one, for, the more far-reaching the branches, the stronger the trunk; the wider the sources of information, the more effectual the springs of action; the happier the people, the wider a country's influence. All this goes without saying.\n\nOf the Chinese Consuls abroad, as regards England, there is the Singapore Consul; as regards America, there is the Consul-General at San Francisco, and the Consul at New York; in Spain there is the Consul-General for Cuba, and the Consul at Matanzas; in Peru there is the Consul at Callao; in Japan there are the Consuls at Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Kobé, with a Vice-Consul at Hakodadi; the Tsung-li Yamên having from time to time arranged with the Envoys abroad so that the appointments in North and South America and in Japan are tolerably numerous.\n\nBut, as regards the islands in the Southern Seas, scattered about in every direction, these are of still closer importance to China. The number of Chinese who have gone thither to reside, to trade, to act as coolies, to cultivate the soil, or to engage in mining, reaches a total of 3,000,000 or more.\n\nComparing the results of his own experience with the language of Chang Chi-tung's Memorial, your servant thinks that, of the places where Chinese have congregated most thickly, there are four spots in the Dutch and Spanish Colonies to which Consuls should be appointed, to wit: Deli, in Sumatra; Samarang, and the ports near it, Batavia, and Manila. In the English and French Colonies there are five places, to wit: Saigon, Tonquin, Hong Kong, Australia, and Rangoon, in Burmah. As regards such other places as Penang, &c., there will be plenty of time to devise means according to opportunity, either to make the nearest Consul act for these places too, or to select well-to-do merchants or gentlemen, giving them the title of Vice-Consul, and a small allowance, and placing them under the nearest Consul; and this accordingly as needs are or are not pressing, and as means suggest themselves. In any case, the expense will not be very great. In the islands of the South Seas, for instance, only a dozen or so of Consuls are required for the complete establishment of the higher grade, and, even after lesser additions shall have been made from time to time, the total expense ought not to exceed £20,000 a-year.\n\nYour servant understands that 15 per cent. of the Foreign Customs collection is appropriated annually to the cost of Missions abroad—about £300,000;* but of late years the total cost of all Missions, including the expense of the peripatetic inquiry officers, has only amounted to about £120,000 a-year. The Tsung-li Yamên's proposal was to reserve the balance for future requirements of the same nature in other countries; but, in the humble opinion of your servant, Envoys having already been appointed to all the first class Great Powers, whilst Powers of the second and third rank are attended to by the nearest Envoy in addition to his original duties, there will be no necessity for the present to make further appointments. If, on the other hand, these dozen or so of Consular appointments are gradually made, commerce will improve, the people will grow richer, and a responsive sympathy will beat in the internal administration at home. Besides, popular aspirations abroad will be gratified, and the Chinese will no longer entertain feelings of disappointed hope. Incalculable advantage, not appearing on the surface, will be reaped, and foreigners will not be furnished with ground for ridiculing us; the benefits resulting from this will be ten times greater than the expense incurred.\n\n30 \n\nLooking over the Returns of Trade of the different States, and the Comparative Tables of Exports and Imports, your servant observes that from £2,000,000 to £4,000,000 in silver leaves China every year for foreign countries. He also observes that the amounts remitted annually from California by Chinese resident there have for several years past reached the total of about £2,000,000 a-year. Though the rate of wages there is comparatively high, yet the number of Chinese is not so very large; so that it may be guessed what sums are remitted from Cuba and Peru, and the same thing may be said of the islands in the south. Now, the balance of trade is very much against China, but some alleviation arises, it thus appears, from the earnings of Chinese abroad, which go to redress the balance in some degree. If this source of income should be closed once more, silver in China will become scarcer than ever, and the poverty of the people being extreme, untoward events are to be dreaded.\n\nTo take Singapore as a single instance: our Consul there has been established for thirteen years, and the total expenditure has not amounted to £25,000, whilst the amounts received as subscriptions towards the various famines and towards the coast defences have reached double that sum: 140,000 or 150,000 merchants and labourers would probably send to China from £2,000,000 to £4,000,000.\n\nThough Consuls appointed to places abroad have no powers of jurisdiction over Chinese, yet it is certainly their business to protect Chinese subjects. In the event of the Treaties being revised, there must be a provision that our Consuls shall be able to discuss any matter that may come before them with the authority of the place. The foreign officials will thus be able to gain information through the Consul, and the people of the place will be chary about treating Chinese vexatiously or tyrannically. Nay, more, our Envoys abroad, when they may see fit to argue any question with the Foreign Offices, will also have to depend upon what the Consuls report to support their contentions. In this way the foreign officials will be more careful how they act towards Chinese. These are the reasons why the appointment of Consuls is indispensable; while, as regards places where there already are Consuls, unquestionably advantages such as those indicated have already accrued.\n\nThe benefits gained by Chinese emigrants abroad are even now somewhat less than they used to be; but, if it were possible to appoint Consuls to all the ports in the Southern Seas, it would not be too late to right things again, and to open up a decided source of advantage. The reason why this advice comes so late, and has not been much acted upon so far, is that, when the Treaties with the different countries were made, China did not know much about foreign places, nor was she aware that there were so many Chinese abroad. Consequently, we gave them the power to appoint Consuls in China, but inserted no provision about our having Consuls abroad. Again, the great marts which the different States have created out of unoccupied islands have owed almost all their prosperity to Chinese immigration, whilst the number of Europeans there is really very small. As soon as ever we begin to talk about appointing Consuls they are certain to set up a howl about our supplanting their rights, and standing in the way of their tyrannical taxation and schemes of conquest. For this reason they are certain to refuse our demands outright at first, and procrastinate as much as possible afterwards. The Foreign Office will pretend that it must consult the \n*The revenue from this source is from £2,500,000 to £3,000,000, but is usually divided into (1) the 1% fund, and (2) the ... fund. Possibly the ... fund means × \n\n[559]", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-253 - Public Offices & Others - 1891.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397809, "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": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 299, "title": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## DOMESTIC\n\n### ARTICLE XVII\n\nThe present Treaty shall remain in force for a period of ten years beginning with the date of the exchange of ratifications, and until a revision is effected as hereinafter provided.\n\nIt is further agreed that either of the two High Contracting Parties may demand revision of the Tariff and the Articles of this Treaty six months before the end of ten years from the date of the exchange of ratifications thereof. If no revision is demanded before the end of the first term of ten years, then these Articles in their present form shall remain in full force for a further term of ten years reckoned from the end of the first term and so on for a successive period of ten years.\n\n### ARTICLE XVIII\n\nIn order to prevent in the future any discussion, this Treaty is written in Portuguese, Chinese, and English, and signed in six copies, two in each language. All these versions have the same sense and meaning, but if there should happen to be any divergence in the interpretation of the Portuguese and Chinese versions, the English text will be made use of to resolve the doubts that may have arisen.\n\n### ARTICLE XIX\n\nThe present Treaty shall be ratified by His Most Faithful Majesty the King of Portugal and Algarves, and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China. The exchange of the ratifications shall be made within the shortest possible time, and the Treaty will be printed and published in order that the functionaries and subjects of the respective countries may have full knowledge of its stipulations and may fulfil them.\n\nIn faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and have affixed their seals thereto.\n\n| Office or Individual | Foreign | 1905 |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n\nLast previous Paper, `Admy 1243`\n\nMONG KONG 12/22\n\nbigarette sendo cases\n\n(Subject.) `PECD C.O. 2122 Prd 2 JA.. 05`\n\nDis l·l. Atkinson for ry Bell\n\nrenewed from Russian Chargé d'affaires, recognition of services rendered by them to Russians wounded at Chemulpo,\n\nFor Mens\n\n(Minutes.)\n\nCares in dept.\n\n1 O EL (735000-14-4\n\nteabsequent Paper.\n\n? My 5 For $ for requesting\n\nhi the to there lin g 20.\n\nчерез caway fficers AN All 23", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 397907, "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": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "page_number": 397, "title": "CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905", "content_text": "## ARTICLE XVII \n\nThe Portuguese Government, in the name of the Roman Catholic Prelate, the head of its Catholic Missions in Chinese territory, agrees to join in a Commission to investigate this question and, if possible, to devise means for securing permanent peace between converts and non-converts. On this Commission China and the Treaty Powers interested shall be represented.\n\nNo person, whether Portuguese subject or Chinese convert, who according to the tenets of Christianity, peaceably teaches or practices the principles of that religion which aims at teaching men to do good, shall be persecuted or harassed on account of his faith. But converts and non-converts, being alike subjects of China, shall conform to her laws, and shall pay due respect to those in authority, living together in peace and friendship; and the fact of his being a convert shall protect no one from the consequence of any offence he may have committed before or may commit after his conversion to Christianity or exempt him from paying legal taxes on Chinese subjects generally except taxes and contributions levied for the support of religious customs and practices contrary to his faith. Missionaries shall not interfere with the exercise by the native authorities of their jurisdiction over Chinese subjects; nor shall the native authorities make any distinction between converts and non-converts but shall administer the law without partiality so that both classes may live together in peace.\n\nPortuguese Missions shall be permitted to rent and lease in perpetuity, as the property of the Mission, buildings or lands in all parts of the Empire for Mission purposes and, after the title-deeds have been found in order and duly stamped by the local authorities, to erect such suitable buildings as may be required for carrying out their religion.\n\n## ARTICLE XVIII \n\nThe present Treaty shall remain in force for a period of ten years beginning with the date of the exchange of ratifications, and until a revision is effected as hereinafter provided.\n\n## Inclosure 2 in No. 1 \n## Page 390 \n**Regulations for the Execution of Articles III and V of the Treaty of Commerce between Portugal and China of 1904, arranged by the two High Contracting Parties.**\n\n**(Translation)**\n\nFOR the execution of Article III of the Treaty of Commerce between Portugal and China of 1904, the two High Contracting Parties agree as follows:\n\n| Clause | Description |\n| --- | --- |\n| (a) | The Superintendent of the Opium Depôt at Macao shall daily send to the Commissioner of Customs of Kung-Pei-Kuan a detailed statement of all the opium stored or withdrawn from the depot on that day, specifying the destination of the opium withdrawn—i.e., whether it is for local consumption, for export to China, or to other foreign ports, and giving the places to which it is to be exported. On the first day of every month stock shall be taken of the opium in the depot, for which purpose the Commissioner of Customs at Kung-Pei-Kuan shall be requested to attend either in person or by representative in order to avoid any discrepancy in the accounts kept by the two Departments. |\n| (b) | Whenever a shipment of opium is made to a foreign port, the Superintendent of the Opium Depôt shall send to the Commissioner of Customs of Kung-Pei-Kuan one of the bills of lading for the cargo duly signed by the captain or master of the ship on board of which the shipment has been made, and the latter shall indorse on the said bills of lading the weight of the opium taken on board. |\n| (c) | No opium shall leave the depôt for China without the production of documentary proof of the payment of the duties due to China. |\n| (d) | All opium clandestinely landed at Macao without being entered at the Government depôt shall be seized by the authorities of Macao, who shall impose the penalties provided by the Portuguese laws to be put in force for this purpose. Opium smuggled directly into Chinese territory by any vessel shall be seized and the fraudulent act shall be dealt with by the Chinese Customs authorities. |\n| (e) | Any additional rules which may be deemed necessary may be made by common agreement between the Government of Macao and the Commissioner of Customs of Kung-Pei-Kuan. |\n\nIt is further agreed that either of the two High Contracting Parties may demand revision of the Tariff and the Articles of this Treaty six months before the end of ten years from the date of the exchange of ratifications thereof. If no revision is demanded before the end of the first term of ten years, then these Articles in their present form shall remain in full force for a further term of ten years reckoned from the end of the first term and so on for a successive period of ten years.\n\n## ARTICLE XIX \n\nIn order to prevent in the future any discussion, this Treaty is written in Portuguese, Chinese, and English, and signed in six copies, two in each language. All these versions have the same sense and meaning, but if there should happen to be any divergence in the interpretation of the Portuguese and Chinese versions, the English text will be made use of to resolve the doubts that may have arisen.\n\n## ARTICLE XX \n\nThe present Treaty shall be ratified by His Most Faithful Majesty the King of Portugal and Algarves, and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China. The exchange of the ratifications at Peking shall be made within the shortest possible time, and the Treaty will be printed and published in order that the functionaries and subjects of the respective countries may have full knowledge of its stipulations and may fulfil them.\n\nIn faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present Treaty and have affixed their seals thereto.\n\nFor the execution of Article V of the Treaty of Commerce between Portugal and China of 1904, the two High Contracting Parties agree as follows:\n\n1. A hulk shall be kept in the inner harbour at Macao in order to facilitate the clearance of merchandize arriving from or intended for \n (a) West River ports;\n (b) Closed ports in the Department of Kuang-Chau-Fu.\n\nAll arrangements regarding the acquisition, maintenance, and repair of the hulk, shall be dealt with by common agreement between the Government of Macao and the Custom-house of Kung-Pei-Kuan.\n\nA sergeant, and a certain number of police-guards of the port of Macao, shall be told off every month for service on board the hulk. Their pay shall continue to be paid by the Government of Macao; any gratuities for special service may, however, be paid to them by the Custom-house of Kung-Pei-Kuan by previous agreement between the Government of the Colony and that Custom-house.\n\n## (A.) Navigation between Macao and the West River Ports.\n\n2. Vessels intending to make regular voyages between Macao and the ports of the West River mentioned in the special Article of the Burmah Convention of 1897, and in Article X of the British Treaty of Commerce of 1902, shall deposit their papers with the Representative of their country, who shall inform the Custom-house at Kung-Pei-Kuan of the intention of the master of the vessel to ply regularly on that river, and in the absence of a Consular Representative, the documents shall be deposited at the said Custom-house on board the hulk, and, on production of the certificate of their deposit, the Custom-house shall issue to the ship a river pass, which shall be valid for the whole of that year.\n\n3. Should a vessel, instead of regular voyages, intend to make only one voyage...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 416714, "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": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "page_number": 41, "title": "CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908", "content_text": "provided that when an Archbishop or Bishop asks for an interview with a Governor-General, Governor, Treasurer, Judge, Taotai, Prefect, Sub-Prefect, Department or District Magistrate, the Chinese official of any of the ranks above mentioned shall return the courtesy in accordance with the rank of the missionary.\n\nThe object of the Tsung-li Yamên in arranging definite rules for the relations between territorial officials and missionaries was to facilitate the settlement of missionary questions. As, however, it cannot be claimed that Bishops and others who are doing missionary work in China have in reality any official position they cannot be regarded as being of equal rank with Governor-Generals, Governors, or other officials. The attitude adopted by territorial officials towards missionaries in recent times has, too, been of quite a different character to that existing at the time when these Regulations were laid down. Furthermore, since these Regulations were promulgated there have been cases where missionaries have arrogated to themselves the use of the official insignia of territorial officials, and have thereby given rise to misconceptions in the minds of the ignorant populace. This was certainly not contemplated when the Regulations were issued, and the time is now opportune for introducing such modifications as will make them entirely satisfactory.\n\nThe Board request, therefore, that Imperial instructions be issued for the annulment of the provisions contained in the Tsung-li Yamên's Memorial regulating the official intercourse between territorial officials and missionaries in accordance with the rank of the missionaries, and that in future it shall only be necessary that the relations between territorial officials and missionaries shall, in accordance with Treaty provisions, be conducted with courtesy. On receipt of Imperial instructions to this effect the Board will at once issue the necessary directions to the provincial authorities for transmission to their subordinates.\n\nOn the 10th April the following Imperial Rescript was received:--\n\nApproved.\n\n<<\n\nInclosure 2 in No. 1.\n\nMemorandum by Dr. Morrison,\n\nDURING recent years opportunity has been given me to travel in many provinces of China and to discuss, with all manner of men, every conceivable subject dealing with the Empire and its foreign relations. In all this time nothing has impressed me more deeply than the unanimity with which all disinterested observers have condemned Chinese procedure in connection with the Catholic question. Condemnation has indeed gone to the extent of affirming that, probably never in the history of any country has there been a more astonishing surrender of national dignity than when, on the 15th March, 1899 (4th day, 2nd moon, 25th year Kuang Hsü), Imperial assent was given to the Memorial of the Tsung-li Yamên granting Chinese official rank to Catholic missionaries, proclaiming throughout the Empire that a Catholic Bishop was entitled to the rank and dignity of a Viceroy, commanding that even the simplest priest should be accorded honour to that of a Prefect, and decreeing that Catholic functionaries should have the right to arrange affairs locally with the Chinese authorities. Now, in the great majority of cases the Bishop and the priests are of higher rank than the local authorities, for there are few Viceroys--at that time eight in all, now nine--while there are no less than forty-six Catholic Bishops equal in rank to Viceroys. There are 1,100 Catholic missionaries, a number far in excess of local authorities of equal rank, so that in many large areas the Catholic priest has the highest official rank in the whole district. What is the effect of this? If the Bishop and priest are conceded this authority by Imperial Decree, will they not use it? Will not Chinese of bad character join their Church in order to obtain the support of such high functionaries? It is a well-established fact that the exercise of authority and assumption of rank, voluntarily given by China in the Rescript above referred to, are a source of a large proportion of the trouble with which the authorities are confronted in the internal administration of the Empire.\n\nThis Rescript ought to be cancelled forthwith. No excuse, no apology. It is purely a question of internal administration. The Rescript was in reply to a Memorial of the Tsung-li Yamên. No explanation need be given; the Rescript has been a failure, circumstances have materially changed since that date. Fair trial has been given. The Rescript should now be withdrawn.\n\nI draw your attention to certain considerations:--\n\nThe\n\n1. In the Memorial the words \"France\" and \"French\" do not occur. The Memorial was in the interests of the Catholic religion. It was drawn up by Yu K'eng and by Bishop Favier, the latter negotiating not as a Frenchman, but as a Catholic.\n\n2. The Rescript has been adversely criticized by the best Frenchmen. No name stands higher in France than that of Henri Cordier, who is undoubtedly the leading French authority on China. In his work, \"Histoire des Relations de la Chine avec les Puissances Occidentales,\" vol. III, p. 468, M. Cordier, speaking of this Decree, says: “Jamais la France n'eut dû laisser commettre cette faute\" (Never ought France to have allowed this blunder to have been committed). He stigmatizes the Decree as no insignificant factor in the many causes which led to the anti-foreign outbreak of 1900. And he declares that \"ce Décret intempestif et impolitique doit être rapporté le plus tôt possible\" (this untimely and impolitic Decree ought to be withdrawn as soon as possible). When you have a French authority himself urging the repeal of the Decree you cannot lightly disregard his advice, especially as his words were written before those events in France which have led to the expulsion of the very Congregations whom France is protecting in China.\n\n3. Moreover, the Rescript is, I am certain, condemned by the present French Foreign Minister, M. Pichon. When M. Pichon was in Peking it was no secret that, personally, he condemned the Protectorate as disadvantageous to France, because it led to constant embroilment with the Chinese authorities, in cases in which Frenchmen, as such, had no interest. With M. Clemenceau, the Premier, sympathetic, and M. Pichon more than sympathetic, the time could not be better chosen for annulling the Decree. No true French interests would be assailed. On the contrary, there is not a French official in China who has not experienced the anomaly of his position in relation to the Catholic mission, he, the Representative of France, ranking and holding direct intercourse with the Taotai only, while his subject, the French Bishop, or his protégé, the Dutch or Belgian Bishop, have access on an equal footing to the Viceroy.\n\nYou seized the opportunity of the presence of Mr. John Morley in the India Office to undertake the task of opium suppression. You have the same, or even more favourable, opportunity with M. Pichon at the French Foreign Office to take in hand the Catholic question, and annul the Rescript which has been so subversive of the authority and dignity of your officials throughout the interior.\n\n4. When that Rescript was issued conditions in China were widely different. How could the Nanchang case have occurred if the Decree of the 15th March, 1899, had not been in existence? Moreover, it is the duty of every Chinese to encourage the national ambition, and to press forward the development of the consciousness of nationality, and how could greater help be given than by repealing a Decree which exalts a foreign missionary Bishop of no standing in his own country to the level of a Viceroy in the country in which he is a stranger? Have you ever seen the progress of a Bishop in the interior? He travels with the state of a Viceroy, with the paraphernalia of a Viceroy, and exacts the honours of a Viceroy. It is worth going to Ningpo--to speak of a port easily accessible--to see Mgr. Reynaud in procession, in order to realize how destructive of the national dignity has been that unfortunate Decree of the 15th March, 1899.\n\n5. Repeal of the Decree, without giving any reasons, or excuse, or apology, further than that the conditions have changed, would meet with the support of the entire English, American, and Japanese press, to cite only the three countries where the press is most powerful. Its repeal would be welcomed in Russia, in Germany--whose Throne is Protestant--and I am convinced it would be received without demur by the immense mass of public opinion in France.\n\n6. The Rescript having been repealed, China could then come into direct relations with the Pope. France at one time exercised the undisputed Catholic protectorate in China. Every Catholic missionary, no matter what his nationality, obtained his passport through the French Legation or through the French Consul. China even now recognizes the validity of such passports, although they are in many cases direct misrepresentations of the truth.\n\nA Dutchman, or Belgian, or Spaniard, or Portuguese, being a Catholic missionary, can claim a passport from the French authorities. That passport speaks of the bearer as \"our countryman\"—that is, declares him to be a Frenchman--and affirms that the bearer \"enjoys a good reputation in our country\"—that is, in France, though he may never have been in France. Why should China not dispute these passports? Why should China accept a Minister as \"Plenipotentiary\" when he is unable to issue a passport to his own Catholic missionary?\n\n7. As you know, Germany has renounced this protectorate. In 1882 the German Ambassador in Paris informed the French Government that in future his country would\n\n39", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-352 - Public Offices - 1908.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]