Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 103

£0

Letter from B. J. Bettelheim.

FER.

“A prepared petition. Shing Tingchú, the prime-minister (or regent) of the department of Chungshán in Lewchew, hereby replies, bringing proofs for the truth of his words.

"A few days ago, I respectfully received your excellency's dis- patch, in which it is said, 'Your government has treated ine very kindly in sending water to my vessel, and giving me fresh provisions, for which I am greatly obliged and thank you; I beg you to set the price for them, and I will accordingly send the money, &c.' Our little kingdom, like a caunon-ball for bigness, can furuish but few productions; yet since your excellency has personally come here from afar, we have managed to send you water and a few vegetables; for this trifling token of hospitality, we beg you not to think of paying.

"You also remark, 'The captain of a British man of war lately in here bought several articles, for which he requested Bettelheim to pay those who sold them; but your government prohibited their re- ceiving the money, and kept them away, by which conduct the good name of the captain of a British man of war is greatly disgraced.' The fact is, in regard to the articles purchased by this captain, the inoney had already been disbursed from the public treasury, and paid over to the sellers, so that they could suffer no loss; and as we of- ficers always wish to act towards visitors with proper hospitality, I begged him not pay for them. I fear, therefore you have been mis- informed as to the sellers having been driven away, and not receiving their money.

"You further say, 'Bettelheim has written me a letter, in which he mentions two instances when he was disgraced, and many other cases of oppression and wrong done him.' This government has ever behaved towards Bettelheim with propriety, and never in the least degree caused him to be disgraced, nor has it wrongfully oppressed him. And you say he adds, 'When I go out and in, there are per- sons who affright the common people, and cry out with a loud voice, A Hollander! A Hollander! Shut your doors! Shut your doors!' Now we here commonly call all who come from the West, Holland-

* The truth is, that as the authorities thought I was going to leave in the Mariner, they afforded us great facilities, and a bill was made out in prescnce of Capt. Matheson of all the things we bought. But the upshot altered matters. When I resorted to the market where the earthenware was bought, the over- seer, who had inade out the bills, and all purchasers and sellers, were driven off I wrote repeatedly to the government, but in vain; and at last took the money and threw it down on the spot where the purchase had been made. I could not learn, however, whether the money ever came into the hands of the seller.