Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 367

350

Journal of Occurrences.

JUNE,

The four hong merchants who contributed $70,000 each, at first refused to give more than $20,000, saying that as Howqua had most at stake he should bear the burden, and that they had little to fear for themselves; for the loss of the cotton and other foreign merchandize, if destroyed, would fall on the foreign owners or importers. Besides Howqua's contribution, he has lost more than $750,000 by the burning of two packhouses in Shameen.

Indemnity for the Bilbaino and for the demolished factories has been promised, and some part of it has been paid.

義兵。

4. The people commenced arming for their own defense, in the neighboring villages soon after the British landed above Canton. On the 1st instant, this had extended to 113 villages, each numbering from 15 to 100 fighting men, including the whole male population, between the ages of sixteen and fifty years. They called themselves eping, i. e. 'soldiers of righteousness,' and have these two words written on their banners. We have been told that it was with great reluctance that these soldiers of righteousness' yielded to the commands of the native authorities, who, at the instance of sir Hugh Gough, went out on the 31st to require them to cease from their attacks. Their leaders have published several manifestoes, some of which have appeared in the papers of the day; and they have got into circulation some very bad and exaggerated stories regarding the conduct of the fanqui.

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5. Yihshan and Lungwan took their departure from Canton on the 6th, having received a visit from captain Warren of the Hyacinth as they proceeded on their way. Nearly all the troops from the other pro- vinces had at that date left the city, and the people were beginning to resume their usual avocations and in their usual manner. On the 16th it was rumored that Yihshan had returned to the city incog. It has been said also that levies of troops, as recruits, are still being made in this province.

6. All the British forces had withdrawn on the 1st, from the heights, and all have since left the river. Twelve merchant vessels were at Whampoa, on the 15th, and among the number were two opium vessels.

7. Hongkong has been declared a free port, by the British autho- rities. The following has been made public.

羞羞

By Charles Elliot,, &c. &c., &c. A proclamation.

"It is hereby declared to the merchants and traders of Canton and all parts of the empire, that they and their ships have free permission to resort to and trade at the port of Hongkong, where they will receive full protection from the high officers of the British nation: and. Hongkong being on the shores of the Chinese empire, neither will there be any charges on imports and exports payable to the British government. And it is further clearly declared, that there will be an immediate embargo upon the port of Canton and all the large ports a£the empire, if there be the least obstruction to the freedom of Hongkong. Persons bringing information to the British officers which shall lead to the detection of pirates will be liberally rewarded; and the pirates will be taken and delivered over to the officers of the Chinese government for punishment. At Macao, this 7th day of June, 1841.”

8. The first sale of land, with a view to permanent settlement has been made, of which the following account is extracted from the Hongkong Gazette.