Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 145

1842

Last Ten Yours from 1832 60 1511

127

th. A R. Johnston, esq., secretary and treasurer to II. B.¡M Commission, issued a public notice, intimating that-in conformity with the provisions of an Act of Parliament, 6 GEO. IV., cap. 87,- James Matheson, esq., had been duly authorized to convene a meet- ing of all British subjects in Canton, for the purpose of instituting a British hospital at Whampoa, or elsewhere, for the reception of Brit- ish subjects, needing medical care and relief

14th. Mr. Matheson, by public notice, requested a meeting for the aforesaid purpose, to be convened on the 23d.

The law above referred to provides, that where voluntary contri- butions towards erecting churches, hospitals, or providing burial- grounds, in any place where consuls are resident, such consuls are authorized to advance sums of money equal to the amount of such contributions. Can. Reg., Feb. 17th.

13th. The British residents in Canton were convened for the pur- pose of adopting measures in order to secure the erection of a monu- ment in honor of Lord Napier: it was proposed to raise a sum not exceeding £500; and the design of the monument was to be left to the judgment of J. F. Davis, and James Matheson, esqs. The remainder of the subscriptions, should they exceed £500, were to be employed in the foundation of some benevolent and useful institution in China, connected with the name of Napier. The sum of $2200 was immediately subscribed, and a monument bearing the following epitaph ordered from England.

To the memory of

The right honorable WILLIAM-JOHN, LORD NAPIER,

of Merchistuon,

Captain in the Royal Navy,

His Majesty's Chief Superintendent of the British trade in China; who died at Macao, October 11th, 1834. Aged 48 years.

As a Naval Officer, he was able and distinguished.

In Parliament, his conduct was liberal and decided. Attached to the pursuit of science, and the duties of religion, He was

Faithful, Charitable, Affectionate and Kind.

He was the First Public Functionary chosen by our Sovereign, On the Opening of the Trade in China to British enterprise; And his valuable life

Was sacrificed to the zeal with which he endeavored to discharge The arduous duties of the Situation.

This monument is erected by the British Community in China, 23. The magistrates of Canton, in company with his honor, the prefect, went to the military parade ground on the east of the city, and there witnessed the burning of several tens of chests of opium, that had hcen scized and taken from the smugglers Vol III, p. 188.

›