728469-1842-19-May-1842 — Page 2

THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

OF CHIN IRTEND

AND HONGKON & GAZETTE,

HONGKONG, THURSDAY, MAY 19TH.-1842.

Sir T. Cochrane, appointed the new naval comman der-in-chief in the East Indios is to hoist his flag in the Hastings. 74. Captain W. H. Bruce. Sir Thomas was to have sailed immediately in the Vindichte. 50, Captain S. Nicholas, but this vessel having got on shore on Dean Bank during the late burricane making up to Spithead will proceed to China with the Implacable 74, recently returned from the Mediteranean. The 'ol-

doubt, imitate his example. Sure we are,

ging, they will act wisely.

ON dit. General Burrel C. B. is to be appoin- ted Governor of our Island. We believe this re- port has obtained currency by letters having been received, which were so addressed by the Home Authorities. It is obvious that at present the occu- pation of HongKong is also viewed in England, as a part of the naval and military operations now directed against the Chinese Empire. The impor- tant commercial advantages which would accrue _from_its permanent possession are well under,

stood, and will not be lost sight of. If the Port of Canton had, been blockaded, if all our efforts had been singly applied to the rigorous prosecution bellig- of the War (as has been our wont would

erent in previous times) the whole now fully appreciate the value of HongKong, as a mercantile and also as military Position. We sayit is one of the very first order.

of Runjeet Singh. Surely Mr. Clerk cart sufficiently prove to the satisfaction of Lord Ellenborough the connivance of Shere Singh with the Afghan outbreak? He is a poor Political and will disgrace his Indian teach- In our last we gave a digest of and coming, if he cannot accomplish this trifle. At

ANET mentary on the news brought by the the Board of Control it was some time since Overland Feby, mail. The arrival of the said Mr. Clerk would earn a Peerage. The Auckland Steamer at our port from Bom- time has now arrived when he may plant a bay enables us to give intelligence from coronet on his brow, save the effusion of London to the 4th March, from Bombay blood; the waste of treasure, and at the to the 14th and Singapore to the 29th April same time heal the wounded honor of his The Corn Law question absorbed almost country. Never will he again have, so auspi- entirely the public attention at home. Its cious an opportunity of accomplishing this importance on the future destinies of our brilliant destiny. Empire cannot be exaggerated. Sir Ro- bert Peel may pass his present bili into a law, but it will be wholly inoperative, as a means of contentment for the people, or a settlement of the Question. Sir Robert before he was in office was pleased to liken himself to a physician; the pompous an nouncements in the Queen's Speech and the poverty of his performances, constrains us to believe he his after all but a homeopathic

The above extract has led several of our friends professor and will attempt curing the chro-

to imagine, that the Supercession of Admiral Par.pointment should be made, when H. E, the Ple- nic, maladies, of the people, by administer- ker, was consequent on the change of Ministry at nipotentiary leaves for the North. We speak the ing infinitesimally small doses of political home. This is not the fact, Sir Thomas Cochranes sentiments of those most interested in the prospe improvement. In so doing he will miserably appointment is in strict conformity with official eti rity of HongKong, when we say, during such ab- fail-although a conqueror in the House ofquette and naval precedent. Our naval station al- sence, they confidently rely on all matters relating Commons, he dare not adopt the language which, on the destinies of a large portion of the hu- red, as heretofore, to the Deputy Superintendent

though it is the scene of hostilition (the effect of to the Civil Government of the Island being refer of Victory; already he has been constrain-

man race, none dare yet prognosticate) is still held of Britishi Trade: to whose unremitting exertions ed to admit that further relaxations of the

to be as heretofore a Bear, not a Vice Admiral's and earnest devotedness the present prosperity of Provision Laws will take place. Our rea- Station. Hence the promotion of Admiral Parker our Colony is main ly owing. In our existing ders may expect the next accounts from according to usage vacates his present command.

halcyon state, we must not forget to whom such a England will record a continuance and

gratifying condition is largely referrible, Certain augmentation of the Corn Law agitation.

we are our early Settlers will never forget the obli gations they are under to the Deputy Superinten- dent and the Chief Magistrate when the success of this Island was very dubious.

We extract from the Eastern Star an intimation of the intended departure of the new Governor General, on a progress through the provinces. It is believed he is desirous of being nearer the seat of war; the better to direct the "retribution to be exacted from the "treacherous Affghans." We deplore this necessity (if it be deemed such.) and are sorry Lord Ellenborough should think himself compelled to carry

verine. 14. Commander Johnson, is to sail in a few days

to Chinal

We certainly counted on the interests of the service and our national honor overriding such "red tape" policy. We did think the Tories would waive, and properly so, this rule in deference to the exigences of the service,

..

A perfect fatuity seems destined to preside over our relations with China. Here we have a gallant officer of great experience, perfect habits of busi ness, and having now learned enaugh of the very peculiar porple he is in contact to guarantee the hearty cooperation (not only of his own) but the truly united services, Thus on the threshold of victory he is superseded by a novus homo who, not obtaining a seat in the Admiralty, as he expected, has yet sufficient influence to obtain his present ap

doubt will benefit much by fully man, of considerable sagacity, and wel have no predecessors, plans. It was at the urgent request carrying out his of influential friends that Admiral Parke consented

!

WITHOUT affecting in this instance to be offici ally informed, or at all knowing the intentions of Government, we vet should not be surprised at the appointment of a Commandant of the Island, or Military Governor. A position which of course could only be filled by the Senior Officer on the Station. Looking to what has occurred, good rea- sons may

perhaps be adduced, why such an ap-

W

In our number Seven, we had only time to draw the attention of our Readers to the Magistrates Varrants, therein officially published. It is certain that much patient inquiry and investigation, must have taken place, previously to their announce ment and we have no doubt due consideration has been given to the peculiar circumstances of our cases of breach of Contract, (which are perpe Colony,We would, however venture to suggest tually occurring) should be remitted to the magis

out a wretched policy, which originally, he pointment, Sir Thomas Cochrane is held to be a trate, as is done in claims for debts. That mani

in the first instance to take the Command of this

Station.

THIS

so energetically denounced. We nauseate the talk of vengeance, retribution, condign punishment, base and treacherous Affghans &c. &e. Putting aside the conduct of our friend the puppet Shah Soojah the Aff- ghans as a people have only adopted theed (in consideration of our position as belligerents) Sir Since the foregoing was setup, wehbelligerents) Sir policy which was pursued by the Spaniards Thomas Cochrane has very wisely been appointed towards the French, during the peninsular second in command to Admiral Parker, war which by us was designated" most

HONGKONG MARKET PLACE. magnanimous, "devotedly patriotic and "touchingly heroic"!!Frightful has been the

convenient building so much re- waste of treasure and blood during this un-quired was opened on Monday last. We just war. The progress of India has been were much pleased with the Show made on checked, the misery of its wretched inhab the occasion. The crowd of buyers and sel- itants much increased, and according to lers which thronged its spacious area, the late Sir Alexander Burnes, the interests afforded a convincing proof of the necessity of Russia largely benefitted. We do hope for its erection. The exhibition of Fruit Lord Ellenborough will leave the Affghans and Vegetables was large and its effect to themselves, the slightest knowledge of was very pleasing, The singular variety their national character and intestine feuds of fish exposed, would afford many subjects will convince him that this would be an of interest to the ichthyologist. From an adequate punishment. As to the verbiage attentive inspection of the plan and propo- about the honor of our arms requiring an- sed arrangements, we are led to believe the other expedition, it is arrant fudge. No successful opening of the market may modest woman brags of her chastity. In be looked upon, as conclusive evidence of India the time is long gone by, when such the ability of the pr to render it -a boastful demonstration of British Valour every way adequate to meet the pressing could be needed or required. If we must requirements of our daily ndreasing popu exhibit the appearance of augmented pow

lation er we would venture to suggest instead of expending some £15,000,000 in pun- ishing the Afghans (all of which amount know, that a gentlem will be sheer waste, as we shall abandon | de the country, or incur a loss of at least one million sterling per annum by its eccupa

The friends of t

mmed oppe

early stages of its

From

tion,) that one half would suffice to add ting is Cr the rich and fertile Punjaub dominions, thus completing our acqui by making the Indus the geog it is the natural) boundary Indian Empire. An addition which Booner or later must which we deemed inevitable

ed in ther

pro

place, and fessional ability and standing of the gentle-

the daily increasing inconveniences, resulting from fold advantages would accrue, from the adoption of this recommendation, the slightest knowledge of the want of such a provision, too plainly shows.

the

of

inflic-

Persons ignorant of the local requirements of the drunken disorderliness and insubordination Port, and the necessity of having power to repress

"mixed crews which resort thither, will not at once recognise the absolute need of investing the Magistrates with power, to infljet Corporal punish- ment. The oldest, residents and best informed men in

China we have yet seen: unanimously a- authority so to punish offences. Holding it in ter gree in

e in the propriety of the magistrates possessing

rorem will they say, oft prevent the nee tion. For ourselves we hesitate not to our aversion, in all and every case, to the infliction on still deemed necessary for the maintenance of disci- adults of eorporal punishment, yet it is in practice pline in our navy and army to apply the lash occa- sionally. Hence authorising the use of the lash on offenders against Police Law may be palliated, and on this ground, perhaps justified, _We certainly. wish such punishment could be summarily inflicted offences, that is, if such a punishment be in any case by our magistrates on Soldiers and Sailors for civil allowed,

The non possession of such a power, and occasioned much discontent among the aggrie has in many instances, given impunity to offenders,

We ha not adopt a captious spirit of cri lly aware that persons better advi rselves, have, already determined that and their provisions, are most, ur- The Colony, Whilst however cessity for their mishmer

the death | man referred to, will now, we make no China.

sher of the futum

and

teel

the past,

hay