[ { "id": 224588, "series_id": 27, "series_slug": "histsyn-co129-engine", "series_title": "CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案", "series_use_hku_proxy": false, "document_key": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "page_number": 494, "title": "CO129-018 - Others - 1846", "content_text": "487\n\n47\n\n46\n\n# REPORT ON\n\ndry fish, of salt, and of samshu,— an ardent spirit distilled from rice, millet, or other grains. There was also a considerable entrepôt trade between the northern and southern coasts of China. Now a foreign trade has commenced, which will probably increase to a very large extent if we retain the island. In two articles of British manufacture, the sales at Chusan during the past year amounted to 1,000,000 dollars, viz.:\n\nDollars.\n\nCotton goods to the amount of 750,000\n\nWoollen ditto 250,000\n\n—1,000,000\n\n[We omitted at the treaty of Nankin, to get a free trade between Chusan and other parts of China, at least during our occupation of the island.]\n\nIn July 1843, Captain Cleverly, of the \"William Hughes,\" sold in four days in Chusan harbour, woollen goods to the amount of 85,000 dollars. There was not so much merchandize sold at the Consular ports of Shanghai and Ningpo in nine months, as was sold at Chusan in the earlier months of 1843. The Chinese prefer purchasing goods at Chusan, as there is no monopoly, and as they have no China custom house mark on them; and they are thus more readily saleable at the different ports along the coast, as they can be transmitted into the interior of the country, without being subject to the transit duties which are levied on British manufactures, even after they have paid the custom-house duties at the Consular ports. The possession of Chusan, as a trading emporium, is the more necessary, by reason of the state of four of the Consular ports, which, excepting Shanghai, have not in any degree realized the expectations entertained. There is little British trade at Amoy.\n\n\"In Asia the observance of treaties does not arise from any conviction that they are an obligation binding on both parties, but it springs from sheer necessity; and the moment this powerful law is not in operation, all engagements are null and void. The best guarantee for the maintenance of our treaty, will be the British occupation of Chusan. Its possession by England will render the mandarins more conscientious and willing in executing the behests of their sovereign, and the great monarch more desirous of conciliation, than our fleets and armies stationed at the other extremity of the empire. Chusan will prove the bridle for restraining the wild and ungovernable passions of Mulichangah's party, and for keeping England free from all interference in the political affairs of China. In case of an European war, Chusan would prove a very valuable post for the protection of our shipping, and the expulsion of any enemy from those seas; and without such a station the northern trade, which ere long will be larger than the southern, would be exposed to imminent dangers.\n\n\"We would look upon Chusan as another Malta, not in point of natural strength, but of political importance, for the maintenance and undisturbed enjoyment of a commerce which, after the opening of Japan and Korea, and the access to Mantchouria, will certainly rival the whole of our Mediterranean trade.\n\n\"With a fourth of the money spent on the ungrateful soil of Hong Kong, Chusan would have exhibited a larger and more beautiful city than we shall ever behold on the straggling hills of this colony.\n\n\"If changes occur—if difficulties in the performance of the treaty arise—if China resumes its perfidious conduct—if other foreign powers strive to obtain the mastery in its councils—if the country is agitated, and trade must seek a safe asylum, then the permanent occupation of Chusan will become the most salutary measure that could be adopted for preserving British ascendancy and influence in Eastern Asia.\"—[Dr. Gutzlaff's report, written in November, 1844, two months after mine on Chusan.]\n\n44\n\n# CHUSAN\n\ntrade at Amoy. The \"Erin\" and the \"Mary Anne Webb\" were at Amoy during the present month (August, 1844), and could not sell a bale of cotton goods, or of anything, although there was no stock on hand. At Ningpo, there is no resident British merchant. Goods have been lying at Ningpo for the last six months unsaleable. The Ningpo authorities are ever throwing impediments in the way of trade: they forbid the introduction of foreign goods in native vessels from Chusan. I may mention the following fact: in July, 1844, the \"Cornwall,\" an English vessel of 300 tons, arrived at Ningpo from Singapore, with a cargo of \"Straits' produce,\" and some British manufactures. The \"Cornwall\" was chartered by a Chinaman, who is a merchant residing at Singapore; he was born at Malacca, and his ancestors for three generations have been British subjects. There was a Chinaman from Singapore placed on board as supercargo by the Malacca-Chinese merchant; but the captain of the ship and his crew were English. On the arrival of the \"Cornwall\" at Ningpo, the mandarins resolved on confiscating the ship and cargo, and it was only by the urgent representations of the Consul that she was saved. The \"Cornwall\" then left Ningpo for Shanghai, and was totally lost on one of the banks in the Yang-tze-kiang river, when proceeding thither.\n\nThe general policy of the Chinese Government is obviously directed to the greatest possible concentration of the foreign trade, thus rendering it subject to a more rigid system of supervision, and more available for exactions. The Tartar Government dread the extension of our trade in the northern ports, and would gladly drive it all back to Canton.*\n\n* The following information was collected for Lord Aberdeen by the Chinese Secretary to Government during the past year:-\n\n\"Keshen, a Mantchoo Tartar, who, for a considerable period swayed the Cabinet of Pekin, was considered a great reformer in everything, and was supposed to be the fittest person to curb the Western Barbarians. He augmented vast wealth from bribes, peculations, confiscations, exorbitant interest on capital lent, presents, rewards, speculations in salt trade, proceeds from pawnbroker's shops, &c.\n\nAs a diplomatist Keshen had great tact—had perfect command of his temper —great politeness—always talked the fairest words—protracted discussions—never gave offence—never made any close connection—was ready with small concessions but always avoided granting anything of importance. He realized most fully the sentiment attributed to Talleyrand, that language was bestowed on man for the concealment of his thoughts.\n\n\"When Captain Elliot and our ships appeared off the Peiho river there was not a single obstacle to oppose our capture of Pekin; Keshen was sent to negotiate with Captain Elliot and prepared a pretended letter from the British Minister to the Court of Pekin containing a sufficiency of truth to give a slight colouring to a great mass of falsehood intended to deceive the Emperor. To Captain Elliot he promised, that on due investigation at Canton some indemnification for the opium might perhaps be awarded. When our fleet left the Peiho river there were great rejoicings at Pekin, and an edict was issued by the Emperor declaring that the English barbarians were respectfully obedient and yielding (to this moment the great mass of the people at Canton believe, as they have been told, that the English paid a large sum of money to be permitted to quit the walls of Canton). On Keshen's arrival at Canton he pretended great friendship for Captain Elliot, at the very time when he was planning to surprise that brave, humane, but too confiding officer.\n\nKeshen wrote to the Emperor that the English only wanted an anchorage or careening place at Hong Kong. But as soon as it became apparent that Keshen had failed in his boasted annihilation of the Western Barbarians, there was no...", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-018 - Others - 1846.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 308494, "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": 484, "title": "CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4]", "content_text": "to such lengths there can be no palliation, no excuse. It was, in the words of TALLEYRAND, \"worse than a crime, it was a blunder.\" The matter has now arrived at a point where a public apology is due from either of the parties to the other; no doubt the Head of the Executive will know how to deal with the facts.\n\nTurning from the official to the man, it is a reflection truly painful to entertain that a life spent in long and arduous labour in an ungenial climate should towards its close be surrounded by such disturbing influences and tumultuous scenes as that referred to. The picture more pleasing to the contemplation is that of the venerable Judge, full of honours and of years, his duty bravely done, peacefully awaiting the closing of the day, amid the love, reverence, and esteem of his fellow men.\n\nPage 250\n\nIn view of the remarks made by His Lordship the Chief Justice yesterday morning in the Supreme Court, we think it is only right to state that Mr. Gibbons, the Registrar of that Court, has never had any communication with this Office, either directly or indirectly, except on matters of business connected with advertising. We should be sorry indeed to allow the public to think that the Registrar had in any way inspired any remarks in these columns on the business of the Court, as that would unquestionably be conduct eminently unbefitting a servant of the Government. No doubt the Chief Justice was quite right when he so kindly recommended Mr. GIBBONS to steer clear of the Press, but that gentleman certainly stood in no need of the warning.\n\nRAFT.\n\nHong Kong\n\n62\n\nTo His Excellency Sir J. Pope Hennessy.\n\nMINUTE.\n\nDowning Street, 3 June 1881.\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 32 of the 9th of April reporting that you had granted four months' vacation leave, with two months' leave on half salary, to the Chief Justice, Sir John Smale, who was proceeding to England with a view to...\n\nPage ...\n\nThe original text ends abruptly. The following names and numbers appear to be part of a routing or filing list:\n\nMr. Wingfield.\n\nMr. Bramston.\n\nMr. Meade\n\nMr. Herbert,\n\nMr. Grant Duff.\n\nLord Kimberley.\n\n8625, Hong Kong,\n\nSov...\n\n473\n\n3 June\n\n3\n\nXCR(85)72 or similar reference is not present, however, \"8625, Hong Kong,\" could be a file reference.\n\n \n&\n\n3", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-192 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [1-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 326719, "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": "CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12]", "page_number": 183, "title": "CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12]", "content_text": "## RESTRICTED\nC.O. `639`\nJAN(85)\n\nGovernment Home Department\nDecember 62 18.844\n180\n\nI have the honour to transmit a memorandum from the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Marsh), in which he states the grounds on which he thinks himself entitled to draw the half-pay of the Governor, during such time as he (the Governor) may be absent from the Colony for more than six weeks in the year.\n\n2. I annex the opinion of the Attorney General.\n\nThe Right Honourable\nThe Earl of Derby, M.G.\n\natemps 6-part mir in Jason of the hulle now. \n→ Reconstructed text for this section:\nAttempts to act as mediator in Jason's case are now...\n\nThe machine \nPraky in that be with her phonth against \nto \nacting as here with its half flags & still \nTalle allowance \nand Jan 15 \nInjece with ku de Robeck & would \n→ Reconstructed text for this section:\nThe machinery in that case is acting against her proposal to act as mediator here with its half measures still in place. Talleyrand allowance was made on Jan 15, and an injection was made with de Robeck & would...\n\nHowever, a more plausible reconstruction based on the subsequent text is:\nate... (unreadable/ missing text)\n\n**Express** concurrent opinion with the Attorney General in the specifics that the charges were richly incurred to the sum claimed, and observe that he has had exceptional advantages in supervising the temporary administration of the Jesuit settlement and that Sir S. Brown showed great liberality in scaling the amount without demur.\n\nI agree.\nD. Jan. 16.\n\nRutt Jan 15\n\nMosure by to March\ne los ure\n\n2\\. My Lord.\n\nA more plausible reconstruction of the initial jumbled text based on the subsequent content is:\nThe Attorney General expressed a concurrent opinion with the specifics that the charges were richly incurred to the sum claimed...\n\n## Reconstructed Version\n\n### RESTRICTED\nC.O. `639`\nJAN(85)\n\nGovernment Home Department\nDecember 62, 18.844\n180\n\nI have the honour to transmit a memorandum from the Colonial Secretary (Mr. Marsh), in which he states the grounds on which he thinks himself entitled to draw the half-pay of the Governor, during such time as he (the Governor) may be absent from the Colony for more than six weeks in the year.\n\n2\\. I annex the opinion of the Attorney General.\n\nThe Right Honourable\nThe Earl of Derby, M.G.\n\nExpress concurrent opinion with the Attorney General in the specifics that the charges were richly incurred to the sum claimed, and observe that he has had exceptional advantages in supervising the temporary administration of the Jesuit settlement and that Sir S. Brown showed great liberality in scaling the amount without demur.\n\nI agree.\nD. Jan. 16.\n\nRutt Jan 15\n\nMeasure by 1st March\ne loss ure\n\n2\\. My Lord.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-218 - Administrator Marsh Governor Sir Bowen & Others - 1884 [11-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 513491, "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": "CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928", "page_number": 11, "title": "CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928", "content_text": "5.5.28 \"Jean\"? \n\nSee memo.\n\nAction proposed\n\nOn 76 nu 52711/28 HK.\n\n5.6.28\n\nDraft of letter to FO, with enclosure\n\nof Sep. 15th, $45. I placed on 115 paper\n\ncor 37 to FO\n\nTalleyrand/Buck\n\n13/7\n\n1/8/28 (on 52711/28HK)", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-508-4 Cases of attacks by pirates 6-11-1927 - 23-11-1928.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]