[ { "id": 217105, "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": 313, "title": "CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843", "content_text": "\nI had at me lime & ranged in my own mind, for filling up the appointments of Cments at four of the five Ports to be opened to our Merchants in the following \n\nmanner \n\n→ \n\nAl Shanghai \n\n\" \n\nKingpo, \n\nCarlow \n\nwy \n\n\" \n\nFuchoufoo. Amaz \n\nCaptain Balfour \n\nMr. Them \n\nMr Gulglaff \n\nMr Day \n\nfor the fifth \n\nand Icalculated on finding one qualified \n\nIndividual in China for \n\nthe fifth Port, even as a temporary arrangement, but Mordable! has seen decided to be ineligible for the duty \n\nof Conent owing \n\nto his being an alien, and ! \n\nam not even certain that he will \n\nContinue to serve as one. If the. Soint \n\nof \n\na gree \n\nto \n\nInterpreters, whilst Mr Morrison's untionely \n\ndeath \n\ndeath will oblige me to keep M. Them near rusself to fill the arduous and responsible Situation of Chiren Seastary \n\nAJ \n\n\"To add to my difficulties, Mr. Novenam _ who came with me from Bombay Furgeon to the Mission, who has long acted with great zeal and efficiency, as my Decutary I who I have, since the exchange of the Matifications of the Healy named to Officials as deputy, clonial Secutary to the Baument \n\nA \n\nof Hongting _ has lately fallen into bad health, \n\nand it seems \n\nprobable that he will be obliged \n\nto take a varzage \n\nSome \n\nto Sea and that I shall thereby be deprived of his valuable and for lime; neither do I know at this instant, where I shall look for a temporary substitute for him, nor how Iam to fill up the sad blank which Mr. Momson's decase has caused in \n\nthe \n\nGovernment", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-002 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1843.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 242322, "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": "CO129-064 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [8-10]", "page_number": 208, "title": "CO129-064 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [8-10]", "content_text": "## THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.\n\n### VICTORIA, SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1857.\n\n**Chinese Calendar, Hà Moon, 5th Day: DIARY. MEMORANDA**\n\n| Day | Astronomical Data |\n| --- | --- |\n| Sunday,... | H❘ Sets 4. P.M. 5,37 634 |\n| Monday,... | 11.16! 1,01 |\n| Tuesday,... | 5.27 6.34 1: |\n| Wednesday,... | 1,564 632 2.5% 30$ |\n| Thursday,.. | 28 Ted |\n\n**VINE SERVICES SUNDAY**\n- St. John's Cathedral-6.45 and 11a, M. and Gr.\n- Union Chapel-63d 7? P. M.\n- Beamers Chapel--1 \n\n## SUPPLEMENTARY SHIPPING LIST\n\n### ARRIVALS AT HONGKONG\n\n- July 24, 11 M. Sir. Fury, Com. Leckie, from Canton\n- July 24, Fr. Gun-boat Drogenos, Co Berry, from Lantao.\n\n### DEPARTURES FROM HONGKONG\n\n- July 24, Nova, Porter, Shanghai.\n- July 24, Clipper (Hong). Marxen, East Coast\n- July 25, H. Mail, towed by the Coromandel for the river.\n\n### POSTAL OPPORTUNITIES.\n- For Macao: Monday, per Feina at Noon; Tuesday, per Willamette at Noon, and per Spark at Ten.\n- For Indian England: per Shanghai to-morrow at 8. Supplementary mail closes at 7.30.\n\nIn the Estate of HENRY DAVIS, of Victoria, Hongkong, Merchant, deceased,\nAre from ZIND SOZAMING and Natives \nA DREYER & Co. \nFreight and Back Vans, \nHongkong, 1st April, 1857.\n\n## FOR SALE.\n- CLARE CHAMPAGNE, BRANDY, and French PRESERVES.\n- VAUCHER FRERES. Hongkong, 6th April, 1857.\n\nFROM NEW YORK DIRECT Received per \"Iotspur,\" and for Sale by the undersigned,\n- 100 Boxes Family Soap,\n- 100 Boxes Scented Water Soap,\n- 50 Tins Corn Meal,\n- 50 Boxes Spero Candies,\n- Baker's Buns \n- 5 Cons Superior White Lead,\n- 20 Half barrels White Beans,\n- 20 do. Split Peas,\n- 50 do. Crushed Sugar,\n- 2600 lbs. Sill's Butter in 16 lbs. Kegs,\n- 50 feet Oakum,\n- 100 Tins Black Varnish,\n- Marlinspikes, Caulking Irons and Mallets,\n- Axes, large and small, Paint, Tar and White-wash Brushes,\n- 20 Entire American Cider Vinegar,\n- Pump and Harness Leather, Cotton Canvas,\n- And from Manila: 500 Coils Steam and Manila Rope,\n\nTHOMAS HUNT & Co \nHongkong, 1st July, 1857.\n\n## JUST RECEIVED\n- PATENT Water Cements,\n- Fresh Prunes in Gums, Fresh Raisins in and boxes.\n\nTUOS HUNT & Co. \nHongkong, 20th June, 1857.\n\n## FOR SALE\n- TWO Second-rate FIRE ENGINES complete, from London, ON VIEW NEAR MAG EWEN & Co.'s \nHongkong, 15th July, 1857.\n\n## NOTICE.\nAll Persons having Claims against, or being Indebted to, the late Estate, are requested to forward particulars of the same to the undersigned forthwith \nHENRY RUTTER Administrator.\n\nHongkong, 17th March, 1857.\n\nIn the matter of the Estate of the late MR JAMES SMITH of the Firm of Smith & BLAW, of Victoria, deceased.\n\nNOTICE-All Persons having Claims on the said Estate are requested to forward particulars of the same to M. JAMES W. BRIMELOW, But all Persons indebted to the said Estate, are requested to pay the respective amounts thereto to the said James W. Brimelow,\n\nD. LAPRAIK \nARD. S. DIXSON \nExecutors.\n\n承辦人得忌時麗 \n北力晏度路士吉德 \n士布林羅收入是荷 \n兩亦如嫩交還與未 \n人欠到達士銀 \n朱士布林羅處或各 \n各人債目祈送到 \n·士藏身故如有欠到 \n羅公司之未士朗時 \n廠者未士氏蹲布林 \n\n## NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.\n\n### NOTICE.\n\nQUOTATIONS. \nEXCHANGE AND BULLION. \nHongkong Bank Corporation on \nLondon, 4, 1, Truliai - Gold to Sycee, outis-Date Sycee, Nominal! Pres Laves 24 335.36 per Tael and at at 319 821 d. Canton...\n\nIt is now upwards of a month since we furnished the public with a report of the trial of Tan cute of Tarrant v. Ah Lum the poisoner. The Jury, a special one, awarded the Plaintiff $1,010, it will be remembered, subject to the Judge's decision on the low point raised by Defendant's Counsel; and our readers, no doubt, are desirous of knowing what has been the result of the matter, and how the disputed point has been arranged. But though, as we have remarked, it is upwards of a month since the trial was reported, from that day to the present we have not heard a word of the threatened kroviment;---so, as the time allowed for the mo time was for some time expired, the verdict of the Jury stands. So much for the verdict whether the award will be forthcoming, or whether we shall obtain even a refund of the costs out of pocket \"are problems the solution of which has yet to be told of \n\nThe Editor of the China Mail, in strictures exhibiting the most extraordinary feeling of sympathy for a suspicious character it has ever been our lot to read, has told the world that, owing to the unjust confinement to which Ah Lum has been subjected, being unable personally to look after his office--he, Ah Lum, is now declared to have become Bankrupt and will have to pass through the Insolvent Court\" and, adds the Editor with an evident hug of gratulation, there will possibly (the italics are ours) be some \"difficulty in recovering the amount of damages.\" Possibly there may--but, at all events, we are placed, by the verdict of one of the most respectable juries ever empanelled in this Colony, in a position to challenge the Insolvent's Balance sheet; and should it be, as we shall not be surprised to find, that Ah Lum's bankruptcy is due as much to his very proper stoppage at business here as to some astounding malversation in the shape of lawyer's fees, or payment of hireling scribes the facts will duly be made patent to the public, and, it will be hoped, produce a salutary effect that the Jury's award will not be altogether lost \n\nThe arrival of the mail prevented the intention of noticing in our last issue a very interesting letter in the Hongkong Register of Tuesday, signed a Catholic Missionary, and of which the intelligent Redacteur of that paper thus remarks.--- \n\nWe publish better from a Roman Catholic Missionary. in reply to some observations by a contemporary as to what ought to be the course of the French in China in his opinion. We don't of course agree with the remarks of our contemporary but we entirely agree with the letter which we publish. Neither the fact nor the spirit are in good taste, and an easy answer could be time to both were worth while which is not. \n\nWhether the letter in question is a reply to our observations--whether it is \"bad taste\" (as one reverend Father disclaims it)--or whether the subject is worth while to notice are all points on which we shall leave our readers to form their own opinions. Here is a translation of such parts of the letter necessary to an understanding of it, and appended is an extract from the speech of His Lordship the Bishop of Victoria, on the 5th of May last, the spirit of which, it rejoices us to find, is entirely in consonance with the honestionsa which May last, the spirit of which, it rejoices us to find, is not our contemporary does not think it worth while to notice. \n\nTranslation, \n\nReferring to the Anglo-French alliance on the China question--the author of the article accuses the French of a desire to impose their religion on Canton by means of bayonets, amusing it (religion) to serve their ambition.\"This alliance so surely desired by Great Britain rests, it is true, on different interests. Now, as well as in 1841, one noble neighbours are pressing the granting of their commerce. Now, as well as in 1841, France defends is the cause of humanity and \n\nas fafmontas nigha 50 - Fella 24 y. \n\nSHANGHA 15th July -On London 7, The-On Calcutta Theme dava sight Rs. per 1 Palnation, which is only possible on religious principles. de-Draft on Hongkong 29 porced sc. MANILA, 5th June - London, da iglu 4,3 -day sigur 4.9-On Hongkong and carest submit in this country to many obstacles--that Before 1841 the commerce of England had to premium golden Siang 50 pre eit pra \n\ndo-Spa isa and Mexican chopped dollars per \n\nOPIUM, \n\nRosatoma, 5th July, Palan 5520, New Para $590, New Bennes $575, Mal $515, \nMacao, 6th July New Itna $545. Old Patna $525, New Bars $575, \nGames-No Market. \n\nSHANGAR, 1 July--Malwa 400 Trots, New Patna, A Tacle \n\n### FREIGHTS AND TONNAGE.\n\n- CANTON-SHANGHAE, £3, the Tea, a £6.6 for Silk--To New York, 10 per ton of 40 cunt.\n- Also London, Sugar, £3,10, Hemp £4,10 To United States Arabia 23,,10 \n\n### HONGKONG-THE FIRE\n\nFour days after the Fireman's report of the conflagration on Wednesday last--it commenced a little before eight, in or outside the easternmost of Lane dare storici houses in a detached block between the Taipingshan Temple on Hollywood \n\nintroduction at some merchant like being altogether repelled by the Chinese authorities--the pino inspired by the English power has been, it is true, to cause of the war of 1841 The result of the treaty \n\ngive an entire sanction, at all events to make trade more free. is for the benefit of all nations, and to deliver trade from all obstacles, that England presses herself forward with such insisting force most noble is her project and ardently do we desire success to the undertaking, \n\nLong before 1841 your illustrious ancestors were halflence to the successor of Saint Peter--and Quitted to us in the same faith, and by a common wish with us they defended the Liberty of conscience of their brethren in the east against the ferocious despotism of musselmon persecutors, there were even then Catholics in China; and in alternate peace and persecution their numbers have successively multiplied. \n\nIn France profited by the fact of England's acting, though timidly, under similar circumstances \n\nEDWARD WEB has this day been admitted Partner in our Firm \nDENT, BEALE & Co. \nShanghai, 1st July, 1857.\n\nNo. 20 Rua Campo, Macao. \nSHAW'S HOTEL Board and Accommodation, Billiards. \nBy M Il saaw. \n\nThe lower part obtained was rendered inst by mason of the stone formations known as Bridges's folly. The lower part of the house loyally destroyed was a carpenter's shop, and it was from the large and valuable pute of China pine square in the yard adjoining the shop, that the flames were continued wall between nine and ten o'clock. How the fire originated, no one has yet discovered it is singular that it should have occurred within a few yards of the last fire, and in a carpenter's timber yard again. The value of the property destroyed will be about a thousand pounds sterling, and it is said an old man perished by suffocation in one of the \n\nFrom 1841 to the present time, imprisonment and torture have not ceased be the lot of Christians (in China) and area their blood has been spilt and it is for that blood France comes and demands reparation to prevent a repetition of past horrors, And the more extended freedom of conscience en-\n\nWe have heard doubts expressed of the truth of the story told of that gentleman's in miles. The tale, it is said, has never been properly authenticated. - F. C. \n\nThe writer of one of the letters to which we have referred says,--- \n\nand your gracious Queen and our beloved Emperor have thought to unite their endeavours in order to a \n\nI am told that the Chusan Mandarin which Sorira told greater chance of success to their (general) establishment a pier, has era on board his in in such loose con \n\nGarment figs (England, par U.M.O, epizm-France \n\nthe last faar mancha tha to snout naw 80 his font or legs\"--and he slit, antur at the 4:5, I saw the To impose cur religion, cramming). \n\nMantarım yestoniy, He says that Zaring los contoamgut religion by means of the bayonet is out of the or bord le ha 99 ext 20 men cited and focio question, and the honourable author of the article book about $7900 in Cash. Bu on occasion his fricade publ need not be alarmed. \n\nOn our side we Mal0 to have him released, bat Sostro took the money and \n\nLed.\" are far from being alarmed about the Missionaries \n\nof the religion founded by Fancy the eighth and In addition to their ambroglio with the Perin Elizabeth on the contrary, the zeal will exclleguese, the French have a sinal fate with tho ours. Perhaps, indeed, they will be the first ab noted Apak. appears, the nature of which har jects of our zeal perhaps they will become our over, we have yet to hear This is all the Herald brothers by the faith, as they are alresly by feel tel's of it: - ings of regard, respect, and charity.\" \n\nAt the 58th Anniversary Meeting of the Church Missionary Society, held in Exeter Hall on the Morning of Wednesday, the 5th of May 1857, the President, the Earl of Caichesser, in the Chair; the first Resolution having been moved by the Lord Bishop of London, and seconded by the Dean of Carlisle, the second Resolution was moved by the Lord Bishop of Victoria; and the Bishop spoke as follows- \n\n\"Now, My Lord, what is the reason that I have dwelt so much on these encouraging features of the \"Chesping ove ment? It is not, of course, that I wish the assembly to carry away with them the first notion that I look upon this body of men is, in any kind sense of the word, Christian. I know the vague screw, the wina jasjsącko, with which the term \"region\" Christianity\" apst be applied to see a system as I have been referring ( I have no confidence in the personal boaters eftlus rebellion; but I cannot help thinking that God, who in His providence has permitted a may want containing within it so many elements of exerbal truth, mus necs invenit to accomplish indinvely, by means of the The pin Rey lotion, so.he great and mercatene wis Sa China. Its act. \n\nA pak's finct of Wank roast hoals are lying off the sol zato, aqua the lacteria, blockade by 17. I. Corete La Ca pricieuse. They have taken several of their gate ashore, and threaten to take the city of Ningpo, and hadre French men of war attack them. 41 Montes, the Porteced Consul has demode) indemnity from the Chinese nothontie waved as the Intendat, Aigners, exco Portuganun, were 11-ing in parket \n\nThe Earl of Elgin and suite left this port in the Shannon on the 16th instant--the flarer Master reporting Calcutta as the vessel's destination. Quid meant General believes that the Shannon is gone to Peking, and gives as his reason for believing this, the fact of Mr Wade, Chinese Secretary Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, being ordered to be very diplomatic when embarking, and by no means to let it be known when he was bound to or when he would be back, Mr Wade is the gentleman sent by Sir John Bowring to Cochin-China in 1855 will be remembered, and who was left by the Raider without even a servant on the bank of the River below Hue, where he remained, recognized by the Cochin-Chinese government, until the Radler came back for him Should it really be that the Shannon has gone direct to the Pelbo, better selection for letter carrying in the Svenson's barge could not have been made, and we congratulate His Excellency the Ambassador on the possession of such an able instrument. Mr Wade's experience as a Chinese Custom house officer will not be lost in negotiations at the North. \n\nPROVINCIAL.\n\nThe great apesaluter Tuksen it is said is convonal in the Commissioner's enquiry.— Ibid. \n\n### PEKING.\n\nThe Peking Gazette have reached us up to June 15th, but contain nothing of special interest. The business of the Empire seems to go on as quietly and regularly as ever, but the state of the finances continues to be the absorbing topic at head quarters. Contributions are proposed on all hands, and in places where the accounts have been left in disorder by previous officials of 1855, a minute investigation is insisted on, and deficiencies are to be made up within a stated time. -- \n\nLord Canning has justified the belief which we have been induced to form of him. He lives in days which have more significance than years in the career of many of his predecessors and all his acts are momentous. Since he took the conduct of affairs into his own hands, criticism has been disarmed. All the resources of the country have been gathered up and made the most of, and every corner of the Empire within and without has been ransacked to furnish aid in India's great extremity. No means have been left untried to satisfy the hungry soldiery, and to keep the rebels without a shadow of \n\nThe 79 Native of hry presented an arze, praying that they might be permitted to march to the North West to shore in the lafore and Dulate the loyalty of the Europeans, and within a very few hours his Lordship made his appearance at Barrackpore harangued the troops drawn out to receive him, and did more good perhaps by the utterance of a few single phrases fresh from the heart, and clothed with the authority of his high station, than would have been expected from the reigation of a score of General Orders which but few read and lower still autoreland.. \n\nA Rent Fortune has kindly sent us a copy \nYau's organization of a squadron at Faishan, to of his new work' —Fortune's residence among the Chinese-inland, on the corest, and at sea, \n\nof the 18th instant\" We now learn that, under the being a narrative of scenes and giventures \n\nrenowned chief Le, the rebels gave battle to the \"during a third visit sa Cuius, from 1983 to \n\nImperialists under General Kwin nea: Sewking, * 1856--inclu hag wations of many untional and gained a complete victory--only three boats \n\nproductions and works of art, the callure of \n\nscoping to Canton to tell the result, of carrying Silk & with suggestions on the present \n\nLe's bravado challenge to Yah to come on again \n\n• war.” A book of 450 pages netava. —we have soon as it could get couly. Le's force is stid to not as yet had sufficient space time to give auber 100,000 fighting mon, and 1,000 war ves more than a cursory glance at its roulents; suf- seis, and His Excellency Le's bead quarters aro Betear, however, to enable us to ratify the trail-i now at the district city of Bet. The first class city \n\nof Secking is in very straitened eramstances. faless of the very able review of it in the Mone News at the 10di ult. To residents in Shanghae and Ningpo the work will be peculiarly and men, bae ked a hard batte with Imperialist necepeptable--most of the locities describd woops from Tw-chow, and having gained the vic being those which juries troat those places tory 11. E. e compelling the whole of the surround- are now been aing ordery occurrruos Eng cuantry people to sabm to his rule. Fearing and encompassing the use of car British alat men in colowing is an abstract of the country travelled for the provincial city itse, Yeh is calling in a the Tauschow men, and has stational a thousand of over by Mr Fortune during the perid of the \n\nthem in the South eastern suburbs. The lendore of story. \n\nthe Ninety six villages 150, base bed to send their Chapter I gives the voyage from Hongkong to Shanghae in the Steamer Ganges, -II, the quota of armed men--between two and three to Shanghae to Ningp by boat, and thence \n\nBanner-men, Manchus, and the Lieutenant Gover- to Yuhang on the eastern side of the Yang \n\nnor's guards, altogether about three thousand, ace woopad on the heights beyond the northern wolf. Kiang (the over skirting Ningpe) a distance \n\nThe Hak has of Ko ineng and Six other dis of Bome forty miles by boat and chair--back to Ningpo, and on to the old city ut Traken, tricts have united, and are burning and destroying abontwelve miles from Ningpo, on the branch wherever they go. Canton is the great point to escaps Lo, and there the poor starving wroches of the river conning to the northward. Horn-\n\nA Ningpo in his boat, in Casper VI. we \n\nThousands, wäinen and childen Temporary A letter in the Penang Gazette says - Almat Gad Mr Fortune at Teung, the celebrated \n\nrunt sheds have been erected for them at Chefing 1,000 to 1,500 Chicamen lure had their heads monastery ab at a dog in unites from the Yu. \n\non the south of the river, and them are daily take off by the Dynks who are in arms in all bang spoken of in Chauer Hero ur \n\ndalinge out of congee and rice, supplied by the directions. The Chinese had hald' possession of For was laid up with fever, and bad tɔ sự - aut \n\nauthorities, in gasathies just suficient to ward off the town for about two days, befare the mermer öü cure. to Chine-e medheal treatidens Dr \n\ndisentation. The City is divided into five grand Jantes Brooke arrived, and wern in the fires and Chapter Vils of a return to 8 g divisions, and those agin into sections, within about the town. The Bret shot from the wormerly which ehe bodied tour patrol night and day long 18 pounder cleared the fort, and in a short time. The fear of a rising within the walls to vary they were all swarning out of the town, the steam- great--each en draade his neighbour, ander at the time hard at work with gun such rifies, every ermutenanes is depressed. Few says which did considerable execution. Every day br the icporter can rentize their sad position with- loads of hatuls were arriving Sock, Drak \n\nout being in like predicament. On one hand they were flocking to in Qarsunds and eating the Chin \"feat the approach of the western barbarians name in all directions. They are all cleared not \"on the other the northern and western rebels and of the Sarawak territory, only 150 ne so en DỀ added to both is treachery at home\" Truly some 2,000 to 3,500 having recaped. All th \n\npursued this line of argueal; int I have dve up this foster because I view with considorable apprehension the fature corse of British and French diplomace, the Bast There are very resultar angers now environing the path \n\nnexion with Chan, In China, we who at a distanca e46- tarsly watched the progress of Live gerat European WAY İN which our counter bua been recently engagent, coad with a great degree of satisfaction of the Anglo-French allowe We porused with the keepest colorant the inteliigance luxught by mal anal of the rivalum nad lenda of a couturies being buries in the tombe of the heroes who fel at Alma and In- kermann; and I certainly would not now say one word in depreciation of the character of that able z in who sways the destinies and wichts the trapetisi sceptro of Prano. Baltas will any, test it in davio to my aan mini that the French have a large foot in the Bash; that thng baye no roumawiał interests to vota mer and fister in those masteroms, and that their time too often serval as a kind of rovarg s pred Musinnary phion over the broad waters of the Faci fic, iving en layout to at, at Tahiti, the dip.ad eba Kolla aastat ja redressing the inaainy grievances of the Jeans propagandists thoughout the west. And when I re- member that the Romish propagandi-ts in Chian have always viewed the Tae-ping Revolution via peraline slicka nad Me like-when i renninber that in the early stages af din renale lion linge native Reteruses, ju neging than iloitars, and not yet being skilled in tar den of making a disuneti n with- \n\n### FRENCH PORTUGUESE.\n\nThe Atten by the Portuguese orcha me at Nagpo monopoliza the boat traffic between that port and Shanghae, resulting in an armed collision with one Frenchoren, was told of in one of car numbers some two or three months ago, the 2qbble being referral to the high authorities of the respective nations at Macan. \n\nFrom the proceedings of the French War Ves- sele Marceau and La Capricesse since, it would now appear that the Governor of Marni hat nu thorized the seizure of certain vessels wherever found, and in porsaance of the resolve we ern freas the North-Chisa Herald of the 4th and ch instant that first the Schooner Aurora was taken, and then the Tarcbas 166 and 44. The Chinese portions of the crews of there vessels, with the usal humanity, were instantly handed over by the French to the tender arcles of the Sergh Menilarius,and were soon disposed of, of course. The Portuguese are still in eustody and will be brought to Mucas for trial in uil due time we suppose. \n\nby leters of a week's later date than the infantion reported in the Herald, we find that \n\non called Seiro, spoken of as a great deg peraio, gave himself up to the Freach on the 13th instant, and that thrun of his comrades, hid in the fee houses on the banks of the river, were also caught the sun day. Sonire it appears had been carrying 9 Mandarin about with hire that he had \n\n### Chapter XIII.\n- takes the reader from Tez-tsing to the village of Pururchse and on into the Quartz valley and Temple, 2000 teet alus tar level of the son, where, in the month of October, before the Hongkong summer is well over, the air is \"piercingly sild.\" The same chapior describes a boat voyage of some peril from Ning to Shanghae. \n\n### FOOCHOW.\n\nIt was rumored abroad somewhat extensively that he founded on the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor to Jeeva for the upper provinces, but Fes story had no foundation. The Goverant Gentral is now in his pe par place, and we hope that the may continue to fill and a loze it. \n\n### Friend of India Jane A \n\nit is vary sad. Oh, Sử Jaha Bowring--Sir Chinese women went over safe, about 200; and of all the bool they got in Sarawak, the pasere John Bowring--what an amount of misery ban tkou to answer for ' \n\nvery litla now,\" One of the rusas of trying to get quit of the Dyaks ws to throw money he g The The Chinese were macahing in body of about 2000, eluding 700 women and childies, and the Dyeks hovering stout them, nerasionally making a dash at a corner, det iching 40 a 50 from the main body, and whipping nineir heads with great seal. The Chinese have had t terte lesson En Satown. Their inawer of going ab eat it won to take held of a Chimwatan by his vel, nad whip off bis hand with great dexterity'; one blow suffired, I hardly expect the slaughter will scop here; the Dyaks, having their blood up and expecting the \n\nWe have been favoured with the perusal of a letter from this port dated 7h uirino, received per averiand courier. From it we learn that a man- darin of high rank has arrived there from Palting on his way to Canton where it is ranured he is to \n\nCe left the capital 2. be second in rank to Yeh. \n\nout a man is left.\"--Dady News, June; 10. \n\nQ \n\nor 3 months since, but had made a siren tous route in consequence of the troubled state of the country. Es proceeds in Arany on his way to the South. \n\nThe rebels have retired near to the borders of Chapter XIV. takes Me Fortune back to Tse-\n\nthe province. hey are reported to be quiet, attire to trave a deal of booty, parave them sill kee again, and narrates abe partientors of a jar. Suoma \n\nSmall supplies of Ton from distant dis ney from Ningpo to Sletoghar by the infultricts had arrived and to reso had gone up to par- \n\nThe Duren in Jaray —The nėščiai įvursal of te via Ya-yar, Noskalon, Tiyenin. chrce, but as the season i'r the first chep had pa99- \n\nthe Hague of the 5th casains a long tepat to ne aland that for the se oud was far advanced, few Kanpoo, Yedhow, Chapes and Ping-hoe. Shanghee in the Silk country, by Carim, \n\nChapter XVI. spus with journey for fine toux were expected and not a large younity of King Halland from Myer, Minister of Cole medium xds, the second crop being 1 sjured from is, and M. Gevers. Minister of Pareiga A Forte, zolucive to Japanese affairs, and his Majesty has Page, Nantsing and Houchowfoo. Lo Chup the fact of the first faves por having been gathered. ter XVIII, Mr (ortane runebes be greated From the ear districts ton hd cute in more free-approved of Annexed to the report are fee distance inland, viz the town of Marcoee,ly since the dispersion of the rebels. \n\nsome orty miles west fira Hoochosloo, and the same chapter gives his return to Shanghae, Chapter XXI contains the last of theur. neyings, was winding up business tour to Nings po, the valley of the Nine stones, and Tras Asing again--finally, a return to fonghong and voyage to Calcutio \n\nMexican dollars were a 10 per cent disconat There was nothin, doing la Opkom sture the tax of 20 per chest and brand-China Herald, July, 11. \n\nThe Cairngoras was to leave on the 4th instant,pa Rad to!load, concluded on the 30th of Jan \n\nary, 1896. Three articles, amongst other things, a futt ship, having 1,000 tons of new you on board. She would be the first away--two or thre, ather Slipmats that the Dutch shit be allowed to excreike their worship tronly, and that they shall no longer yeable ware wearly laden- \n\nRico centinued dear bat'the weather was favora- \nbe subjected to the impious cartas of trampling ble for crops. \n\nunder got the image of our Saviour on the croes, They aleo eunal that the Dutch shall be permitted to trade in the open ports, and to get to and parsip ee from Japanese traders. Also to take her wives and children to the wil perts The trucks funter. declare that the importation of foreign and the ex portation of Japanese money shall be allowed; that the Japanese government may levy madarité im. pon, Trungit, and export duties; and, betly, that The Dutch it Nangas ke any misintan free relations with foreigners, both on board veganf• and at Deco \n\nThe report adds, that the Japanese green en has declared asel\" resdy to raciale vrea tea with all foreign governments that may wish top them--Avid. \n\nSo innch for an answer 10 the question which will be added by Chua Residents of \"where dad Me Fortune go to when fast here ?\" In our j next paper we shal: furnish some illustrationsį of the notices\" mentioned on sho ate pagod \n\n(From our Overland Nlition of to day.) From the official announcement in our last that there would be no second Mail Seaner from China this month, Subscribers to tlus journal will not have expected their customary paper. Mr Wal ker the ... Co's. Superintendent, however, with a consideration for pulite interests deservist Gach commandation, promptly chartered the Grsi vanbie Steamer to bundthe Road jun away from the heaving down huik-which he has placa on the Shanghae ins; aking thence tho Shang Adi; mud that vasset, deep as she can swim with alk, now goes to Gaile with the muit. May cephyr smooth as be glossy cargo speed her way through tive most dangeroza period of the year in lue China Sea. We pray this under some nusideration for the interests of underwriters. \n\n## SHANGHAE\n\nAn Imperial Commnissioner named Warg, triv \nhers (Saanghae) on the 7th instans quite unex- pected by the dohorities. \n\nis said he has corng to examine into hn causes of the low state of the public trensary funds, and to tnvestigate certain disbursensule made en ac count of purchases of rice fur the govern went some moatas back, -ay well as to squeeze the marchana and the Toatai ton, to raise fimis to help the pa sing exigences of the looper al Government. We! hear 50,000 weis was demanded from each of tha \n\nmeharts doing the largest business, and that it will probably be compromised for The 5,000 \n\nIt is rumored that Ho Kweling, the fately ap pointed Govarour-general of the Two Keang, is the originator of the present enquiry, on proteaze of not being satisfied with the manner the prisent Intendant, B. E. Las, has been performing tha functions of his post. We have no doubt, Theres fore, that it wit be eney for the Emperial Commis elouer, if his instructions are to that eflist, to tay of sone hold weak poll in the multifarious trans risgrace. We should, however, regret much, sho actions of flis Excellency Lan to bring him into that be the result of the investigation, both for the \n\nThus the despatch of the last mail, military there appears reason für believing that balure we operations about Canton have bem and \n\nCatcmpt possesion of the walls, the rebels will \n\nhave concladed the business for 13. Our Prurin interests of foreign merchants end the Clainese. cial reporter's news it will be seen are alarming. i \n\nFu has been fourteen years a man-larin \n\n### THOUGHT.\n\nThere is a luxury in earnest thought The unthinkang kaka dream of floppy har Who, holding sweet cornuates will himseti, Roving the fèlie ofiscality, \n\nFees het sa labelincas, though ali stEYA, Ngreaves at etalless avai jinde of looke \n\nDoes has lotless med. The daisied eid, The garden of the wood, alike shall be Fer dina struly ; everything aro \n\nThe flower, the tree; the titing, the running brooks,— Aure to bin asterials for clight, AB curists a pure veliges to atm, \n\nYea, nevor fi ing pleasure. Grieť may ce Deal's cold echipe conceal his fail-erfed jar, Rickness may pale uus e vak, lone plach this pace, Be thought tall be fat luns on Ristie Tomas of earth's disygietrose a chara Te all the hatefulensing to sleep \n\nAnd lighten evʼn the heaviest (sail afilis. \n\nUpwards and Quinards. By & W. PARTRIDGE,", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-064 - Sir Bowring - 1857 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 363882, "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": "CO129-277 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [8-10]", "page_number": 76, "title": "CO129-277 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [8-10]", "content_text": "Fear\n\nAll rubbish! It's a great thing to scratch one's own back; some people like it when they are not interfered with, but in order to avoid this unpleasantness the motto of the day was \"Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.\"\n\nAfter I considered that the effects of the fracas had died away I addressed the Committee of the Chamber seeking them to suggest the amount of indemnity that I should claim from the Chinese Government for personal detention at Wuchow, inconvenience, and loss of business, and if they would give such claim their support. I received their answer through the Secretary about a fortnight later—they are business people and apparently an improvement on the Committee of three years before—informing me that the question of the amount of indemnity I claimed was out of their province to decide, &c. They had got all they wanted out of me and I was of no further use, and I was again left to continue to follow up my case single-handed and alone. The correspondence re the amount of my claim between Mr. Fraser and myself is of no importance to the subject, but to cut the matter short I received about $2,150 for what I asked considerably more for. This includes one item of $600 for loss of market, and when $1,500 was to pay for hire of houseboat, pay and keep of Chinese staff, postages, telegrams, for three months in the winter at Wuchow, it was understood that there was little left for my own pocket to compensate for the loss of business in Hong Kong. I have it on the best authority that had the Chamber of Commerce supported my claim at Peking I should not have received less than $5,000.\n\nAlthough I had proved that English piece goods sent up country under transit pass were alright, I felt there might still be some difficulty with other cargo, such as kerosene oil, from which a large proportion of an internal revenue they're trying to obtain, therefore, to complete my task of carrying the transit pass system through in all its branches in the two provinces, I embarked on another venture of 3,000 cases kerosene (Consigned for the old spot on the West River (Wuchow)), but before leaving Hong Kong I had a large obstacle to contend with, viz., the transport of kerosene from Hong Kong to Canton. I must point out that no transit pass can be obtained in Canton unless the cargo is imported by foreign ships. At that time there appeared to be an understanding among the shipping companies trading to Canton that no kerosene should be carried. I called and enquired at every shipping office in the trade to obtain freights for my oil, but was refused space at any price. Among them might be mentioned Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. I eventually procured an old South Sea Island schooner, had her registered so that she could carry a flag, got her towed up to Canton, where I obtained transit passes in equal quantities to the principal centres of trade in Kwangsi, viz., Kweilinfoo in the north, Luchowfoo in the west, and Namningfoo in the south. The schooner, which was named the Wuchong, returned to Hong Kong, where she was wrecked in the typhoon of 27th July last year, when the Captain (Jay) was drowned. However, I proceeded with my cargo up the West River, and, with the exception of a threatened attack from pirates, I arrived safely at Wuchow after a passage of nine days from Canton, and again trouble began. The kerosene oil farmer, who before this collected 30 cents per case on all kerosene which passed through Canton, despatched a steam-launch to Wuchow to warn all merchants not to buy my oil under threat of their being fined and their shops closed. I put myself at once into communication with Mr. Fraser, and through his representations with the officials the farmer's steam-launch was withdrawn and I was informed by the Prefect there would be no further trouble. However, confidence was not easily restored among the dealers. I despatched the three consignments into the interior, each in charge of one of my servants. But after ten days I could not get an offer for the portions retained for sale at Wuchow (about 1,000 cases). A new idea struck me. I had a large signboard printed in large Chinese characters meaning something in the following effect: \"John Andrew, foreign merchant, dealer in kerosene oil, single cases for sale.\" On the first day I sold five cases singly, and continued selling in small quantities for six weeks, the largest quantity at one time being 24 cases. By this time confidence was restored and the local dealers came forward and in a few days I was rid of the whole cargo, my detention on this occasion being about two months. My servants from Kweilin and Namning returned in due course with the proceeds of their consignments, having met with considerable obstruction and detention, but eventually, with Mr. Fraser's help again, they came back with the money. I felt pleased at the successful termination of my trip, although by no means a paying one, but I looked forward to obtaining a good market and speedy clearance on another cargo which I intended to bring up at once.\n\nIt was towards the end of August that I left Wuchow, and on the following morning one might imagine my surprise to meet five cargo boats deeply laden with kerosene oil, clearly adorned with the house flag of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co., and escorted by a Chinese junk in a bamboo boat. All my legs of coping with loss on the first venture were crushed: to place 3,000 cases on the top of what I had already sold meant about two months' supply on the then small market of Wuchow. I never felt so small in all my life, and although I had no reason to complain about other people taking advantage of work I had volunteered to do, I do most bitterly complain that I was not treated fairly. These 3,000 cases belonging to the above firm had been brought up to Canton by one of the Indo-China steamers and I naturally had a grievance at their accepting freight from others that they firmly and distinctly refused to me. Had I been granted the same privilege I would have saved the loss occasioned by the wreck of the Wuchong and the life of one European would have been spared.\n\nWith the market of Wuchow closed to me with kerosene I decided to try green beans and peas now and accordingly started up the North River with her cargo towards the end of the year. The first venture was 2,700 cases and although I met with considerable detention on this occasion, by avoiding obstruction at Lewchowfoo, to the north-east of the Kwangtung Province, I finally succeeded, with Mr. Fraser's aid, in getting the Prefect to issue proclamations allowing free sale of kerosene and other cargo arriving under transit pass. I also visited Luchow, in the north-west of Kwangtung, where I met with the same success. I then felt that my duty was done and returned well rewarded with the object attained. Had I not, however, received the substantial support, which I did, from H.M.'s Acting Consul at Canton, Mr. Pouser, my labours would have been wasted in vain. To him and his superiors in Peking I owe my sincerest gratitude.\n\nThe question of the inward transit pass system having been settled arrangements were also carried, under certain rules, for outward transit pass goods. This I had nothing to do with, but the one had to follow the other, so I cannot be blamed for taking credit for both, and there is not a merchant in Canton of any importance who does not take advantage of either one or the other or both. Take one or two German firms, for instance: they have traced my footsteps so fine that in under convoy kerosene oil from Hong Kong to Canton, and bought under transit pass, for places on the North River, have either for themselves or acting for Chinese, purchased Chinese junks and obtained a register under the British flag in order to secure cheap transport.\n\nMy explanation is almost done. The question which might naturally arise is, \"What about the opening of the West River?\" In answer to this I can merely say that I selected Wuchow on the West River as my base of operations over the transit pass case knowing that H.M.'s Government only wanted some excuse for insisting upon the Chinese opening the river to trade. I found the excuse and it might have been years before such another opportunity turned up. The Chamber of Commerce were good enough to mention in their last annual report that \"Mr. Andrew's claim against the Chinese Government had been settled satisfactorily.\" Where they got their information from I don't know, but if the case was settled no thanks are due to them. If under the heading of \"Opening of the West River\" in the same report they had expressed their thanks for the good work I had done it would have been more to the point. I am not, however, a member of the Chamber, but it might have been a proper thing on the part of the Committee to ask me to become one. I may almost say that I have met with more obstruction, opposition, and competition from the European mercantile community of Hong Kong in carrying out the transit pass system than I did from the Chinese officials. The weakest go to the wall and I suppose I must take a back seat among all the wealthy merchants who now make use of transit passes, but I have had my way and the arm raised for\n\nJustice and Mercy.\n\nJOHN ANDREW, Hong Kong, 27th August, 1897.\n\nPage 75", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-277 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1897 [8-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 367619, "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": "CO129-285 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [9-10]", "page_number": 25, "title": "CO129-285 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [9-10]", "content_text": "province if I assume the means wisdom of using every opportunity to advance British interests there and to counteract the influence of France. It seems to me therefore well in this regard to take a leaf out of her own book and not to discourage the formation of Companies with interests both in China and in Hongkong.\n\nIf due support is given to the Companies already registered, it is probable that most large Chinese commercial houses in Canton and Wuchowfu will follow suit and register in Hongkong. The effect of this in extending Great Britain's influence and in affording Great Britain an argument against the incursion of the French into Kwangsi and Kwangtung is a matter worthy of consideration.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-285 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [9-10].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 373291, "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": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "page_number": 21, "title": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "content_text": "Enclosure 1.\n\n18\n\nSecretary, Chamber of Commerce to Colonial Secretary:\n\n21st September 1899\n\nTHE CHAMBER TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.\n\nHongkong General Chamber of Commerce,\n\nHongkong, 21st September, 1899.\n\nSir,\n\nI am instructed to beg you will be good enough to lay before His Excellency the Governor a statement of the manner in which the privilege lately secured by Sir Claude MacDonald of the navigation by foreign steamers of the inland waters of South China has been practically nullified by the interpretation given to the Steam Navigation Inland Rules and Regulations by the Inspector-General of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nA lengthy correspondence on this subject has already passed between the representatives of the Steamboat Companies, the British Consul at Canton, H.B.M.'s Chargé d'Affaires, and Sir Robert Hart. The latter, referring to the Inland Rules and Regulations, lays it down that, owing to the hybrid character of the West River, being from one point of view a continuation of the sea and a highway leading to the two open ports of Samshui and Wuchowfu, and from another an inland water, there are two kinds of trade to be regulated, viz., inter-port and inland water trade, for which different sets of local circumstances have to be provided. Thus, the foreign steamers plying between Hongkong and Canton and Wuchow must be debarred from inland water privileges and those engaged in the inland trade could not be allowed to touch at the ports they pass en route.\n\nForeign steamers are also handicapped in competition with Chinese-owned launches, which can be used for the towage of lighters; the latter carrying the cargo, the former merely supplying the means of propulsion.\n\nAs Mr. Mansfield has clearly pointed out, in one of his despatches to Mr. Bax-Ironside, the ruling of the Inspector-General is in direct contravention of paragraph 1 of the Steam Navigation Inland Rules and Regulations, which runs as follows:-\n\n\"The inland waters of China are hereby opened to all such steamers, native or foreign, as are specially registered for that trade at the Treaty Ports. They may proceed to and fro at will under the following regulations, but they must confine their trade to the inland waters and must not proceed to places out of Chinese territory. The expression 'inland waters' is read with similar meaning to that given for places in the interior (nei ti) in the fourth article of the Chefoo Convention.\"\n\nMy Committee are of opinion that the British Minister, when negotiating for the opening of the inland waterways to foreign trade and navigation, had in view the unrestricted freedom of foreign steamboats to proceed from port to port along those waterways, and not for the navigation to be divided into separate classes, namely, interport and inland.\n\nThe Steamboat Companies have a further serious grievance in the fact that some little time after the concession was granted it was allowed to include the right of calling at way ports for passengers, but this privilege was, a few months ago, withdrawn without any reason being given, and the so-called opening of the Inland Waterways of South China has thus been narrowed down to a point which has rendered it a mere farce.\n\nIn consequence of this action of the Chinese Authorities, the Steamboat Companies, who had been induced by this supposed concession to construct boats specially adapted for the trade, now find themselves compelled to withdraw some of the vessels and, in effect, to retire from a trade which they had hoped to create by the provision of better facilities for more rapid communication.\n\nThe appeal of the Steamboat Companies to Her Majesty's Representative at Peking has been without effect, but the matter is one of such great importance to the trade of the Colony that they have now requested the Chamber to bring it to the attention of Her Majesty's Government through another channel. The Committee therefore trust that His Excellency the Governor will have the kindness to lay the question before the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who is known to take a lively interest in all that appertains to the progress of British trade.\n\nAs that progress has been checked and thwarted not alone by this open attempt to mis-construe the terms of an agreement but also by the effort to divert trade from foreign steamers by the grant of preferential duties on junk-borne cargo and by the grievous failure of the Kwang-tung Authorities to maintain order on the West River and in the district watered by it, no resource is left to the Chamber but to place the circumstances in the possession of the Government in the hope that Sir Claude MacDonald will on his return to Peking come armed with definite instructions to take the necessary steps to render this concession a real benefit instead of a hopeless sham.\n\nA copy of the memorandum on this question of inland waters navigation addressed by the Steamboat Companies to Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires is enclosed for the information of His Excellency the Governor-\n\nI have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient servant,\n\nW. CHATTERTON WILCOX.\n\nSecretary.\n\nH. Bax-Ironside, Esq.,\n\nH.M. Chargé d'Affaires, Peking.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 373300, "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": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "page_number": 30, "title": "CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12]", "content_text": "The Daily Press.\n\nHONGKONG, September 25th, 1899.\n\n* * *\n\nINLAND WATERS STEAM NAVIGATION.\n\nThe following is a continuation of the correspondence on Inland Waters Steam Navigation forwarded to us by the Chamber of Commerce:--\n\nTHE CONSUL TO THE SHIPPING COMPANIES.\n\nBritish Consulate, Canton, 6th May, 1899,\n\nGentlemen,-Referring to your letter of March 28th, forwarding a joint petition of British shipping firms to Her Majesty's Minister at Peking with reference to the working of the Inland Steam Navigation, I am directed to hand you the enclosed reply, and have to ask you to communicate it to the other British firms interested.-I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,\n\nR. W. MANSFIELD.\n\nMessrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Hongkong.\n\nH.B.M. CHARGE D'AFFAIRS TO THE SHIPPING COMPANIES.\n\nPeking, 27th April, 1899.\n\nTo Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nI beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 28th March with reference to the provisions of the Regulations and Rules for the Steam Navigation of the Inland Waters of China.\n\nThe various questions raised by you are receiving my close attention and I will communicate with you further on the subject.-I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,\n\nH. O. BAX IRONSIDE\n\nPeking, 17th May, 1899.\n\nGentlemen,-In continuation of my letter to you of 27th April, I beg to inform you that I have been in communication with the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs with reference to the observations on the Rules and Regulations for Inland Steam Navigation in China made by you in your letter to this Legation of 28th March.\n\nSir Robert Hart was entrusted by the Chinese Government with the task of drawing up these Rules and Regulations and his views on the subject are therefore of considerable importance. He has written to me a reply dated 12th instant, copy of which I enclose for your information.\n\nThe system is, of course, upon its trial and is being carefully watched and reported upon by Her Majesty's Consuls in all parts of China. It should be given due time to afford a fair test of its merits. Your remarks as to the West River trade will be borne in mind in case revision prove to be necessary,-I am, gentlemen, Your obedient servant,\n\nH. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.\n\nTo Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, Hongkong, Canton and Macao Steamboat Co., Limited.\n\nTHE INSPECTOR-GENERAL TO H. B. M. CHARGE D'AFFAIRES,\n\nInspector-General of Customs Peking, 12th May, 1899.\n\nSir,\n\nI have the honour to acknowledge your communication of the 27th April concerning Steam Navigation Inland.\n\n2. When the Ministers of the Yamen originally decided to memorialize for authority to open the inland waters to steam the idea was simply to permit steamers to do what junks and boats do subject to the same inland charges, but when the privilege was extended to include foreign flag steamers some modifications were introduced in the rules first drafted. While the object of these modifications was to secure for the foreigners concerned the benefit of certain treaty stimulations therewith connected, their effect has been to create difficulty for the revenue generally, for, whereas the original plan was to apply inland local regulations in all their integrity to steamers as well as junks, and, by thus protecting the revenue, insure the support of the provincial officials, the introduction of the treaty element necessitates an exceptional procedure which interferes with former practice, makes taxation more difficult, tempts Chinese owners to buy foreign flags, and alarms and alienates both the inland authorities responsible for, and inland administration dependent on, inland revenue. The very sanctioning of the modification referred to created a necessity for strictness in interpreting the other parts of the inland steam privilege, and accordingly, in order both to protect and keep separate the Imperial Maritime and the Provincial Inland revenues, the opening of the inland waters to steam has had to be defined as forbidding licensed vessels to quit Chinese waters and as excluding vessels that trade between treaty ports.\n\n3. What precedes will suffice without further detail to suggest explanations of, and reasons for, the restrictions foreign merchants now complain about, but in point of fact there is no differential treatment; whatever licensed Chinese steamers can do inland, foreign flag licensed steamers can do also, and whatever inter-port foreign steamers cannot do inland, inter-port Chinese steamers are likewise forbidden to do, but, just as Chinese waters and foreign waters are two different things, so interport trading and inland trading are also two different things, and, belonging to two different fiscal systems, the Imperial and the Provincial, must be differently treated. The hybrid character of the West River has of course its inconveniences; from one point of view it is a continuation of the sea and a highway leading to the two open ports of Samshui and Wuchowfoo while from another it is an inland water; to one set of eyes it is, notwithstanding its double character, one and the same thing, while to another it possesses, while one and the same thing, a double entity, the interport owner wonders why his interport steamer cannot do what he sees done by inland steamers passed here and there, while the responsible revenue officials require the two trades and the two vessels to be kept separate; while the apparent anomaly of two treatments existing side by side on the same stream is a puzzle to one party, there is the further fact that at its mouth are the foreign waters and the foreign colonies of Hongkong and Macao, and for the other party-the revenue officials-this fact opens up possibilities which render it all the more necessary to distinguish between the two trades and act accordingly. Treaties, conventions and rules being what they are on the one side, and the fiscal responsibilities being what they are on the other, the principle of the present treatment-distinction between inland and interport trades-seems both logical and necessary and any revision which ignores that distinction will be but a one-sided and therefore unpalatable remedy. It is not for a moment to be supposed that the inland steam navigation concession was intended to either abolish provincial taxation or kill native trade, and it is not unreasonable to ask for a recognition of provincial conditions and assent to provincial requirements. The expectations that heralded the opening of the West River were somewhat sanguine, but, even granted they could ever be realised, it is not the distinction between inland and interport trade that is either postponing or impeding that realisation. The concession was launched without sufficient consideration or preparation, and as it now is, it does not satisfy either side. The foreign trader fears that the restrictions which provincial officials call for will thwart development, and the provincial official fears that the development which the foreigner aims at will destroy revenue; but both one and the other are alarmed, and perhaps unnecessarily, before the event, and plead from fear rather than from facts. If steam navigation inland is to work quietly and be a benefit, it will ...\n\nPage 30\n\nPage 31", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 374608, "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": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "page_number": 681, "title": "CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899", "content_text": "677\n\n6\n\n2. The rescinding of the Inspector-General's decision that inter-Treaty port steamers shall not also be registered for inland navigation.\n\nThis decision does not appear to have any raison d'être as far as these waters are concerned. The steamers plying between here and Wuchou had been so registered hitherto, and no abuses had occurred. I understand that no demand for the abrogation of the privilege had been made by the local authorities here, and I see nothing in the Regulations debarring inter-Treaty port steamers from it. I would very strongly urge that the Inspector-General's decision should be reconsidered in so far at any rate as Canton is concerned. I think the petitioners have an undoubted grievance here.\n\n\"3. The strict enforcement of clause 5 of the Supplementary Rules must be insisted on.\"\n\nThis Rule places cargo in boats towed by steamers on the same footing as steamer cargo. Obviously the only way to secure this is to provide that all such cargo should be dealt with, as regards duties, by the Imperial Maritime Customs. The present system, under which the steamer comes under the maritime customs, while its tows are under the native customs, is cumbrous and bound to lead to abuses.\n\nThat the working of the Inland Navigation Regulations as they stand at present is altogether unsatisfactory is apparent from the fact that hardly any cargo is carried under them, such traffic as there is being confined to passengers.\n\nGentlemen,\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nR. W. MANSFIELD.\n\nInclosure 8 in No. 1.\n\nMr. Bax-Ironside to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co. and others.\n\nPeking, May 17, 1899. In continuation of my letter to you of the 27th April, I beg to inform you that I have been in communication with the Inspector-General of Maritime Customs with reference to the observations on the Rules and Regulations for inland steam navigation in China, made by you in your letter to this Legation of the 28th March.\n\nSir Robert Hart was entrusted by the Chinese Government with the task of drawing up these Rules and Regulations, and his views on the subject are, therefore, of considerable importance. He has written to me a reply dated the 12th instant, copy of which I inclose for your information.\n\nThe system is, of course, upon its trial, and is being watched carefully and reported upon by Her Majesty's Consuls in all parts of China. It should be given due time to afford a fair test of its merits.\n\nYour remarks as to the West River trade will be borne in mind in case revision prove to be necessary.\n\nSir,\n\nI am, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nH. O. BAX-IRONSIDE.\n\nInclosure 9 in No. 1.\n\nSir R. Hart to Mr. Bax-Ironside,\n\nInspectorate-General of Customs, Peking, May 12, 1899.\n\nI HAVE the honour to acknowledge your communication of the 27th April concerning steam navigation inland.\n\n2. When the Ministers of the Yamén originally decided to memorialize for authority to open the inland waters to steam, the idea was simply to permit steamers to do what junks and boats do subject to the same inland charges, but when the privilege was extended to include foreign flag steamers some modifications were introduced in the Rules first drafted; while the object of these modifications was to secure for the foreigners concerned the benefit of certain Treaty stipulations therewith connected, their effect has been to create difficulty for the scheme generally, for, whereas, the original plan was to apply inland local Regulations in all their integrity to steamers as well as junks, and, by thus protecting the revenue, insure the support of the provincial officials, the introduction of the Treaty element necessitates an exceptional procedure which interferes with former practice, makes taxation more difficult, tempts Chinese owners to buy foreign flags, and alarms and alienates both the inland authorities responsible for, and the inland administration dependent on, inland revenue. The very sanctioning of the modification referred to created a necessity for strictness in interpreting the other parts of the inland steam privilege, and accordingly, in order both to protect and keep separate the Imperial Maritime and the Provincial Inland Revenues, the opening of the inland waters to steam, has had to be defined as forbidding licensed vessels to quit Chinese waters, and as excluding vessels that trade between Treaty ports.\n\n7\n\n3. What precedes will suffice without further detail to suggest explanations of, and reasons for, the restrictions foreign merchants now complain about, but in point of fact there is no differential treatment; whatever licensed Chinese steamers can do inland, foreign flag licensed steamers can do also, and whatever interport foreign steamers cannot do inland, interport Chinese steamers are likewise forbidden to do; but, just as Chinese waters and foreign waters are two different things, so interport trading and inland trading are also two different things, and belonging to two different fiscal systems, the Imperial and the Provincial, must be differently treated. The hybrid character of the West River has, of course, its inconveniences; from one point of view it is a continuation of the sea and a highway leading to the two open ports of Samshui and Wuchowfoo, while from another it is an inland water; to one set of eyes it is, notwithstanding its double character, one and the same thing, while to another it possesses, while one and the same thing, a double entity; the interport owner wonders why his interport steamer cannot do what he sees done by inland steamers passed here and there, while the responsible revenue officials require the two trades and the two vessels to be kept separate; while the apparent anomaly of two treatments existing side by side on the same stream is a puzzle to one party, there is the further fact that at its mouth are the foreign waters and the foreign Colonies of Hong Kong and Macao, and for the other party—the revenue officials—this fact opens up possibilities which render it all the more necessary to distinguish between the two trades and act accordingly. Treaties, Conventions, and Rules being what they are on one side, and fiscal responsibilities being what they are on the other, the principle of the present treatment—distinction between inland and interport trader—seems both logical and necessary, and any revision which ignores that distinction will be but a one-sided and, therefore, unpalatable remedy. It is not for a moment to be supposed that the Inland Steam Navigation Concession was intended to either abolish provincial taxation or kill native trade, and it is not unreasonable to ask for a recognition of provincial conditions and assent to provincial requirements; the expectations that heralded the opening of the West River were somewhat sanguine, but, even granting they could ever be realized, it is not the distinction between inland and interport trade that is either postponing or impeding that realization. The Concession was launched without sufficient consideration or preparation, and, as it now is, it does not satisfy either side.\n\nThe foreign trader fears that the restrictions which provincial officials call for will thwart development, and the provincial official fears that the development which the foreigner aims at will destroy revenue; but both the one and the other are alarmed, and perhaps unnecessarily before the event, and plead from fears rather than from facts. If steam navigation inland is to work quietly and be a benefit, it will be necessary to legislate locally at many different points and in accordance with many different sets of circumstances, conditions, and requirements; it will only be when that is done that regulations and procedure will be suitable, and also contain in the eyes of both sides the proper proportion of support and control.\n\n4. As regards the Rules and Regulations promised in Rule 7 of the Regulations, and clause 8 of the Supplementary Rules, there has been much consultation and much passing and repassing of draft rules for consideration, but up to the present none have been issued for publication; and as for the appointment of the Provincial Officers referred to in clause 9 of the Rules, such appointments are to follow publication and have not yet been announced.\n\nIt is hardly likely that this delay has caused either inconvenience or damage, seeing that it has not taken from or interfered with the enjoyment of any existing rights, and that foreign capital is neither known nor expected to be invested—at least to any considerable extent—in the petty craft to which the depth and width of inland water channels necessarily confine the steam navigation privilege, and this privilege itself, whether rightly or wrongly thought valuable, will require years of patient nursing before it can possibly answer any expectations.\n\nI have, &c.\n\n(Signed)\n\nROBERT HART, Inspector-General of Customs.", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-295 - Public Offices - 1899.txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 }, { "id": 376044, "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": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]", "page_number": 246, "title": "CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4]", "content_text": "# Correspondence regarding 13320 Passenger Traffic\n\n## THE CHAMBER TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY\n\nHongkong General Chamber of Commerce, \nHongkong, 1st September, 1899.\n\nSir,\n\nI am instructed to beg you will be good enough to lay before His Excellency the Governor a statement of the manner in which the privilege lately secured by Sir Claude MacDonald of the navigation by foreign steamers of the inland waters of South China has been practically nullified by the interpretation given to the Steam Navigation Inland Rules and Regulations by the Inspector-General of the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.\n\nA lengthy correspondence on this subject has already passed between the representatives of the Steamboat Companies, the British Consul at Canton, H.B.M.'s Chargé d'Affaires, and Sir Robert Hart. The latter, referring to the Inland Rules and Regulations, lays it down that, owing to the hybrid character of the West River, being from one point of view a continuation of the sea and a highway leading to the two open ports of Samshui and Wuchowfu, and from another an inland water, there are two kinds of trade to be regulated, viz., inter-port and inland water trade, for which different sets of local circumstances have to be provided. Thus, the foreign steamers plying between Hongkong and Canton and Wuchow must be debarred from inland water privileges and those engaged in the inland trade could not be allowed to touch at the ports they pass en route. Foreign steamers are also handicapped in competition with Chinese-owned launches, which can be used for the towage of lighters; the latter carrying the cargo, the former merely applying the means of propulsion.\n\nAs Mr. Mausfeld has clearly pointed out, in one of his despatches to Mr. Bax-Ironside, the ruling of the Inspector-General is in direct contravention of paragraph 1 of the Steam Navigation Inland Rules and Regulations, which runs as follows:- \n\"The inland waters of China are hereby opened to all such steamers, native or foreign, as are specially registered for that trade at the Treaty Ports. They may proceed to and fro at will under the following regulations, but they must confine their trade to the inland waters and must not proceed to places out of Chinese territory. The expression 'inland waters' is read with similar meaning to that given for places in the interior (nei) in the fourth article of the Chefoo Convention.\"\n\nMy Committee are of opinion that the British Minister, when negotiating for the opening of the inland waterways to foreign trade and navigation, had in view the unrestricted freedom of foreign steamboats to proceed from port to port along those waterways, and not for the navigation to be divided into separate classes, namely, interport and inland.\n\nThe Steamboat Companies have a further serious grievance in the fact that some little time after the concession was granted it was allowed to include the right of calling at way ports for passengers, but this privilege was, a few months ago, withdrawn without any reason being given, and the so-called opening of the Inland Waterways of South China has thus been narrowed down to a point which has rendered it a mere farce.\n\nIn consequence of this action of the Chinese Authorities, the Steamboat Companies, who had been induced by this supposed concession to construct boats specially adapted for the trade, now find themselves compelled to withdraw some of the vessels and, in effect, to retire from a trade which they had hoped to create by the provision of better facilities for more rapid communication.\n\nThe appeal of the Steamboat Companies to Her Majesty's Representative at Peking has been without effect, but the matter is one of such great importance to the trade of the Colony that they have now requested the Chamber to bring it to the attention of Her Majesty's Government through another channel. The Committee therefore trust that His Excellency the Governor will have the kindness to lay the question before the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who is known to take a lively interest in all that appertains to the progress of British trade.\n\nAs that progress has been checked and thwarted not alone by this open attempt to mis-construe the terms of an agreement but also by the effort to divert trade from foreign steamers by the grant of preferential duties on junk-borne cargo and by the grievous failure of the Kwangtung Authorities to maintain order on the West River and in the district watered by it, no resource is left to the Chamber but to place the circumstances in the possession of the Government in the hope that Sir Claude MacDonald will on his return to Peking come armed with definite instructions to take the necessary steps to render this concession a real benefit instead of a hopeless sham.\n\nA copy of the memorandum on this question of inland waters navigation addressed by the Steamboat Companies to Her Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires is enclosed for the information of His Excellency the Governor.\n\nI have the honour to be, Sir, \nYour most obedient servant, \nR. CHATTERTON WILCOX. \nSecretary\n\nThe Hon. Colonial Secretary.\n\nPage 245", "txt_file_path": "txt/2diw2n4r2/CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4].txt", "external_url": "", "rank": 0 } ]