Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 494

1841.

Journal of Occurrences.

477

it is amongst other things enacted, that it shall and may be lawful for Us, by any commission or commissions, warrant or warrants, under our royal sign-manual to appoint not exceeding three of our subjects to be superintendents of the trade of our subjects to and from the dominions of the emperor of China, for the purpose of protecting and promoting such trade, and by any such commission or warrant as aforesaid, to settle such gradation and subordination among the said superin- tendents (one of whom shall be styled the chief superintendent, and to appoint such officers to assist them in the execution of their duties, and to grant such sa- laries to such superintendents and officers, as we shall from time to time deem expedient. And whereas, by a commission or warrant bearing date the tenth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three, our said late royal predecessor, king William the fourth did, in the exercise of the powers conferred by the said act of parliament, appoint William-John, lord Napier, William Hen- ry Chicheley Plowden, esquire, and John Francis Davis, esquire, to be such superintendents as aforesaid:-and whereas, in consequence of the death of the said William-John, lord Napier, who by the said commission or warrant was appointed the chief superintendent, and of the resignation or removal of the other persons, who have from time to time been provisionally appointed to fill the office of chief superintendent, a vacancy has arisen in the said office.-Now know ye, that we, reposing especial trust and confidence in the loyalty, integri- ty, and skill of our trusty and well-beloved sir Henry Pottinger, a baronet of our United Kingdom, and a colonel in the service of the East India Company, do by these presents, in pursuance and exercise of the authority in us vested by the said act of parliament, appoint him the said sir Henry Pottinger, baronet, to be chief superintendent of the trade of our subjects to and from the dominions of the em- peror of China, for the purpose of protecting and promoting such trade. And we do declare and direct, that the office of him, the said sir Henry Pottinger, baronet, as such chief superintendent aforesaid, shall be holden during the plea- sure of Us, our heirs, and successors:—and we do hereby strictly charge and require him, the said sir Henry Pottinger, baronet, in the execution of this our commission, to conform to and observe all such rules and regulations, as are or shall be given to him for his guidance, either under our royal sign-manual, or in such instructions as shall from time to time be given to him in our privy council, or by us through one of our principal secretaries of state.

Given at our court at Buckingham palace, the fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-one, in the fourth year of our reign.

(Signed)

By her majesty's command. Sir Henry Pottinger, baronet, commission.

True copy.

PALMERSTON.

G. A. MALCOLM.

Secretary to her majesty's special mission to China.

NOTIFICATION.

In taking charge of the offices of her majesty's sole plenipotentiary, minister extraordinary, and chief superintendent of British trade in China, sir Henry Pot- tinger deems it requisite and proper to publicly notify, that he enters on his im- portant functions, with the most anxious desire to consult the wishes, and to promote the prosperity and well-being, as well as to provide for and secure the safety, of all her majesty's subjects, and other foreigners (so far as the concerns of the latter can be affected by his proceedings), at this moment residing in any part of the dominions of the emperor of China; and that he will be ready and happy, at all times and under all circumstances, to give his best attention to any questions that may be submitted to him. At the same time, it becomes his first duty to distinctly intimate, for general and individual information, that it is his intention to devote his undivided energies and thoughts to the primary object of securing a speedy and satisfactory close of the war, and that he therefore can allow no consideration connected with mercantile pursuits, and other interests. to interfere with the strong measures which he may find it necessary to authorize and adopt, towards the government and subjects of China, with a view to com, pelling an honorable and lasting peace.