Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 20

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Review of Public Occurrences During the

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JAN.

"Many appropriate toasts were given. On the health of lord William Ben tinck' being proposed, the president took occasion to expatiate on the deep obli. gation which his lordship had conferred on the community by making it known to the Chinese authorities, that he will interpose with the weight of his authority t› shield his Britannic majesty's subjects from wrong, and that he will never allow them to be oppressed.

"Then followed 'sù Edward Owen;' 'sir Charles Malcolm and the Indian Navy captains Freemantle and Hamley R. N.' then present; 'general Darling (whose indisposition unfortunately prevented his attendance,) and the colony late- ly under his command;' 'commodore Hine, and his brother commanders of the Indiamen ; &c.

"In proposing the British merchants of Canton, Mr. Marjoribanks took the op- portunity (the last that might probably be afforded him) of paying thein a very handsome and feeling tribute of respect, complimenting them on the honorable and liberal system he had ever observed in their commercial intercourse, and thanking thein for the assistance and communications which they had, on all oc- casions, so readily afforded him.

"Mr. Dent returned thanks on the part of the British merchants, and subse. quently, in proposing the health of Mr. Marjoribanks, he, in a very handsome man- ner, eulogised the moasures of the committee; at the same time, expressing the deep sense of obligation entertained by the mercantile community for the uniform attention and support which they had always received from the committee, and the members of the British factory, in their public capacity; and for the friendly feelings displayed in their private intercourse.

“Our friendly relations with Francc and America were not forgotten; and, in the speeches of Mr. Davis and Mr. Marjoribanks, very good feeling on the sub. ject was expressed.

"Mr. Latimer made some very happy observations, illustrative of the origin and progress of the United States. The prosperity of the American govern

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ment, and the extension of civilization,' was drank with much enthusiasm.

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"Mr. Lindsay proposed the emperor of China,' and avowed his conviction that the period was not far distant when our communication with the government and people, would assume the same freedom as prevails in civilized states.

"The greatest harmony prevailed throughout the evening, and the party sepa rated at an early hour."

An almost uninterrupted quarrel was kept up between the Chinese and the British factory from the time of its establishment till it was abolished: sometimes it was partially suspended; sometimes it was carried on without noise or display; while again it seemed about to involve the parties in open war. At the commencement of this

year (1832), the quarrel was being conducted with a good deal of blus- tering. A wall and quay had been demolished, and the lieutenant- governor had turned his back towards a picture of the king; and these things had been reported to the governor-general of India, who wrote the following letter, dated Simla, 27th August, 1831.

“To his excellency the governor of Canton.—It has been represented to me that, in your cxcellency's absence, measures of an mimical and insulting character have