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THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editor of the
Friend of China.
Sir,
Macao 30 June 1842.
We have just had our Revolution, and also our three grandes journées not of July, but of June. The Governor having been blared by the Court of Lisbon for certain acts (into the details of which I will not enter) and in effect being required by it to give the lie
procured at that city. To render them equally as cheap, and as plentiful, security and protection only are needed. Give to foke these, and he will provide for you the best articles in the empire, in any quantities you please, and
at the very lowest possible prices. On shore, security and protection are enjoyed, to an admirable degree, especially when you consider what a great and heterogeneous mass there is to be controlled, And as this new government goes on, there is every reason to expect it will improve-better arrangements
63
Women on board the fast boat cried out lustily for numbered at least one hundred, and the Paradox assistance. Although the two pirate boat crews, was wholly unprepared for a conflict, yet sho bore gallantly down on the Pirates to the rescue.
Without doubt the Pirates thought it was a man of war schooner, or a vessel despatched from the fleet, which was in full view. Hence, one pirate boat got out to sea, the other being close pressed,
Iron Guns overboard, the crew about sixty mado
-to his past proceedings, magnanimously tendered his touced, and bad ones set aside. In this harbor ran on the rocks, and after pitching two of their
—and it is o of the best in the world the security and protection are as complete as possible. But beyond for the hills. reques.
the reach of the guns of the forts and of the shipping
resignation to the noble and Loyal Senate who ted him not rashly to relinquish his high office. The Governor was inflexible. A Provisional Government was constituted. Here ondeth the first day."
The Battalion of Macao Invincibles, was unani- mous not to tolerate a Provisional Government, or as it is called a Civic Triumvirate; and as the veritable organ of the People, demanded the convocation of the Council General of the Colony, with the view to ratify the past actions of the Governor and to urge on him the propriety of still-holding the reins of power. To back their demands they form, and march (without orders from their commandant) upon the square of the Senate, where they take up their position in order of battle, having two field pieces, the gunners with matches lighted and all prepared to do or die. The Council General is convoked for the next day. Ma cao was then without a Government. Here ondeth the second day.
it
is not so.
And to this-want of security and protection, in the neighborhood of the island-I wish to invite the atten- tion of those authorities, who may have it in their power, as it certainly must be their wish, to remove an evil which more than any other is acting against the prosperity of Hongkong."
This
from above Whampoa, and from Macao and its vici- nity, in a these outer waters, every vestige of Chinese authority has been swept away by British forces. Chinese authority having been crushed, another and a better ought to have been set up in its stead. has not been done. Consequently, for many months, these outer waters have been the scene of frequent and cruel outrages. Only yesterday, one of the Chinese boats of eighty or a hundred tons, carrying sixty or eighty men, left this harbor; and three or four hours afterwards was acting the pirate, when fortunately some French gentlemen, in the Paradox schooner, began to reason with her, and brought her back into the harbor, a prize! Her men made their escape, so that they may fight another day.
The Council General assembles, over whom ought to preside the Judge, (one of the three members of the Provisional Government, and owing to whose reman strances, the Court of Lisbon cancelled the Governors acts)but he feigned indisposition,and did not show himself,
The Chinese authorities of Canton are well aware as he well knew the majority of Votes were in favour of his enemy the ex-Governor who nobly kept the field, of the operations of these freebooters; and as soon as and who despite his protestations was re-proclaimed by they can fortify themselves in their "ram's-city." the assembly with unanimous acclamation. The they will concert with these sea thieves, to harrass Council General begged him to rest satisfied with this more severely those traitorous natives," who link If rumors revolutionary movement as it would assume all the themselves in with the "barbarian rebels." responsibility of this little act of rebellion against the are to be heeded at all, the provincial government already meditate hostile designs of this nature. And Authority of the Queen! The ex-Governor was con- if let alone, depend on it, they will mature and carry siderably softened by this devotedness to his person— he was touched at-such miracles of patriotism and into effect these designs, unless (what is not very likely heroism, he at last. consented anew to sacrifice himself to happen) peace is concluded with the emperor. for the good of his Country and reluctantly re-accepted Do you ask, What is to be done? The remedy is the painful duties of official life. On this, his announce easy, with the naval force now on this station, Ex- ment, there was a manifestation of the liveliest en- cepting the flag-ship let the others be kept daily on thusiasm, a burst of warm emotion, quite astounding. the move, returning into harbor at least once a week. Then he returned to Government house, escorted by As the season for typhoons is approaching, these ships the Authorities and all the notables of Macao, among should take care to go prepared to take shelter, or to whom hgured his bitterest enemics! The troops illu-out-ride the severest storms. Whampoa minated theireaserne: the Citizens imitated their ex-
a month A ship of some size should always be in sight of the ample. A grand display of fire works or rather the explosion of a few Crackers betokened the general joyBogue; another between Lintin and Kapshuy Moon; The movements At ten o'clock at night Order reigned in Macao!!! and another on the south of Lantao, Here endeth the third day of the ever Glorious and of these should be so arranged that the sea-thieves will always be in uncertainty regarding their cqurse truly immortal revolution of Macao,
and designs
I remain
Your well wisher
LIBERTAS.
P. S. Joking apart Mr. Editor, it is seriously said that Liberty of the press, Trial by Jury, and redress of grievances will be the result of our revolution. If so we shall gain more by our bloodless insurrection, than some other countries have by their most sangui nary outbreaks.
FOR THE FRIEND OF CHINA, AND HONGKONG
GAZETTE,
A
MB EDITOR, SECURITY and protection are two of the things most essential and necessary for the steady increase and pros- perity of the population and business of Hongkong. These enjoyed by the Chinese, and it is impossible to foresee the limits to which the settlement will grow. ***Hitherto its progress has been wonderful, though sev- eral circumstances have existed to oppose and retard it. These are still in force, and I will therefore enumerate some of them, hoping that those who seek the welfare of the island and its inhabitants will their duty to re- move or neutralize their influence.
1 The Chinese authorities of Canton have done, and are doing, all in their power to prevent the improve- ment of Hongkong under British rule. They are now forming designs, and seeking the means, to work out its utter ruin.
2. All the native merchants of Canton, whose in terest it is to keep the trade at the provincial city, are opposed to the growth of this settlement; and are try ing, in many ways, to injure it, because they foresee that it will by and by diminish
unts of Macao, for
3. Many of the Por similar reasons wish
Some
Macao
this
wit
not excepting ngements with
hey too wish no prosperity to
Chinese outlaws,
us on the const
peaceful and unarmed people
and some ther
M. Challaye on landing discovered one of the him to the West point Barracks, which are ad- pirates lurking about, captured him and dragged jacent. On representing the case to the Com. manding officer a party of men were promptly despatched in pursuit of the fugitives,
The captured pirate Boat was brought to the Government landing place. It was immediately moored there the night before, indeed till a few recognised as a Boat which had been quietly
hours previously to the occurrence under notice. On searching her, she was found amply provided with Powder, Shot, Stink-Pots, Bamboos charge ed with Powder (for igniting vessels) Pikes, Spears Matchlocks two iron and one brass Gun indeed the proper equipment for such nefarious objects. Two Books were also found, which Dr. Bridgman (one of our residents, and an eminent Chinese scho- lar) declares to be the account Books of these lawless adventurers, who even do dishonesty selor les regles.
We are disposed to think the rescued in their fears may have exaggerated their danger, for they declared, but for the almost miraculous interven-
tion of the Paradox, they would have been all slaughtered, and pitched over board by the Chi- nese prates. These things do happen. It is but a few days since one of our residents going to Macao in a fast boat, with at least Sixty passen- gers on board was attacked. The presence of well armed Europeans alone prevented a fatal
issue.
visited by a steamer two or three times ould be What is here said of physics, is applicab
Native boats, such as are most likely to be attacked by pirates, should now and then, be sent on short cruises, furnished with a guard of three or four armed men, marines and sailors, trusty and brave, and should go in disguise.
These measures, or some other more efficient, are I think, called for; and 1 hope that you, Mr. Editor, will urge this case, which, if answered efficiently, will speedily remove a great evil; and give a powerful impulse to the growing prosperity of the British Settle ment of Hongkong,
Harding place, Hongkong, Jply 4th 1842.
SENEX
EXTRACT from a letter dated head Quarters 31st May 1842
HELVETIUS says "It is to discussion, and conse quently to the liberty of the Press, that the science of physics owes its improvements. Had this liber ty never subsisted, how many errors, consecrated by time, would be cited as incontestable axioms! to mo- rality and politics." May the fact of the Chinese not possessing the liberty of the press, although possessing the art of Printing, account greatly for the stereotype character of the national mind? We are inclined to think so, and we are fortified in our opinion by referring to the extravagant dogmatism of the Schoolmen professing the Aristotelian plulo- sophy. Is it not exactly analogous to that now preva- lent among the Chinese disciples of Confucius? But for the discovery of Printing, or rather, but for the liberty of the Press, we doubt not that Aristo- tle and his commentators would be now the text books of our scholastic and collegiate philosophy. The science of induction from facts, unknown or unheeded, all would now slavishly bow (as do the Chinese iterati) to time honored error, and tena ciously cling to immemorial usage.
THE WEST INDIES. We learn that the Duke of Wellington has directed his attention of late to the condition of the regiments which occupy West In- dia situation, and the e causes of the mortality to We are waiting the arrival of the Reinforcements which, from time to time, they are subjected. His to proceed to Nankiu, but first we go to another Grace appears to attribute the evil very much to small place at the mouth of the Yangtze keang call ed I think Moose or some such name, it is a depot that the war one way or other must be concluded of theirs. The new Goy. Gen has we hear written round this year and if not by treaty, it is said a line of Coast will be taken up and held by the Queen's troops and the Expedition will break up and return to India,"
Extract from a hurried note dated on board the Queen Steamer, Koolangsoo, June, 15th.
The place all quiet. Some of the native last night. The brian, Pylades, and
« The Cambrian is here. The Herald has gone on. troops for the garriso Sapphire is coming in. Chameleon, form thei
The Queen Steamer left Hongkong, on the 13th June.
On Sunda
Consul
RAGT
the unhealthy situations of the different barracks and the inadequacy of the buildings themselves to protect the men against the influence of the climate. The results are said to be the concoction of a plan for the fabrication of cast iron barracks, which shall be sent out in pieces from this country, as was, the case with Napoleon's house at Longwood. These huts will have numerous advantages over brick and mortar houses; not the least obvious of which is, that they will be as moveable as a camp. ✨
London Paper
I addition to the numerous War Steamers now in commission, Government has building nineteen more in the different dockyards.
An American Toust. The ladies; the only endu rable aristocracy, who rule without laws,-judge with, out jury, decide without appeal and are never in the
wrong.
By the reformed Civil list system it was settled by that the Crown should be limited to not €1200 per un- find the Whire have
n this fund.
idre
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