728484-1842-18-Aug-1842 — Page 2

86

THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. HONGKONG, THURSDAY, FAUGUST,{18TH. 1842.

We understand the Petition of sundry British and American Merchants to the Vice-Roy of Can- ton, begging permission to being thither their wives and families, has been rejected most contumelious- ly. We shall be much obliged if some corres

will favour us with a copy pondent at Can

of

then can bend all his energies to the improvemen

ways been its of long neglected India. He h

illustrate by his sincere friend, we hope he acts the principles he has so well laid down in his writings and speeches. We conclude our ro- marks by citing his Lordships opinions as expres- sed in the report of the House of Lords. Commit- tee on the East-India Company's petition in 4840. We need hardly say they are truly statesman like.

OUR Translations of the week from the Peking Gazettes, will be found of some in- the Petition and reply. Both documents will be- come of value as marking an epoch in the history terest. We gather from them that the of our commercial intercourse with China. In Emperor and his people are decidedly a-

1836 it was

as asked by Mr Matheson "how can a | verse to adopting a more conciliatory or pa- British Merchant continues to carry on his com-

Ir appears to the Committee, that the general pri cific policy. We also find the Revenue mercial pursuits at Canton but by a sacrifice of ciple upon which commercial regulations affecting th intercourse between the United Kingdom and the Co officers at the seat of War, are not indis- his personal safety and self respect.” These old posed to turn the present state of matters to fashioned English notions seem to be entirely re-lonial dependences, and the mutual intercourse of those profitable account, so far as their own in-pudiated by some of our compatriots. Foul op: dependencies with each other should rest, should be that probrium, studied insult, and personal obloquy, are of perfect equality, subject to exception only, when the (we are now told) merely conventional usages. permanent interests of the whole empire, or the tem- The giving or taking of offence not referable to porary circumstances of any part of our foreign pos

sessions may seem to render such exception necessary moral laws, but determinable by the latitude and

or expedient that no partial favour should grant to longitude. In good sooth; have not virtue and vice in China both become susceptible of a geo- one Colony any advantage over another, either in the colonial ports, or in those of the United Kingdom; still graphical definition?

less that Parliament should partially secure for the pro- duce and

of the United Kingdom any

terest are concerned.

It would appear rather late for the Em- peror to have learned what has been done and is doing at Canton. It is certain he does not now know the whole truth, else the foreign trade there would be carried on very differently. The arrest and condem- nation of the five Soldiers, (who it is alleg ed were the first to abandon their colours, and whose example, becoming contagious, led to the despersion of the troops) is quite

characteristic of Chinese policy.

Our last letters from the expedition which are not later than the 4th July, do not mention the disgrace of El e-poo for hav- ing counselled negotiations for peace. They however confirm the account of the demise of the chief in Command at Woosung, who met death as a brave officer should, leading on his troops.

The reported captured of a barbarian ship at Formosa we should think would refer to the Ann which, we are told, was lost somewhere about the time named, on that coast. We should inform our readers that

THR alleged probable early return of the two advantage cam colonial port over the competing pro-

Hong Merchants to Canton without their aid being required by the authorities at the Seat of War looks well we think. Still this countermand may be owing to the disgrace of Elepoo by whose order it is alleged these Hong Merchants were despatch ed northward. The tardy movements of the ex- pedition are only explicable on the ground that it is in conformity with orders from home.

We published in our last issue (by desire of the Government) the regulations recently issued by the Post Office at Bombay. We cannot, we confess, comprehend them, and have sought in vain a satis- that we do learn the rates of Ship Postage levied factory explanation. They are so far intelligible on all letters received or sent by Sea. But what are we to understand by a rate of charge for Steamer Postage, which is levied on our Overland home letters which is in conformity with a

cale

letters arriving from, or addressed to any other place than the United Kingdom. Most, if not all, letters sent from hence per Overland route are addressed to the United Kingdom, and from the North, single letters have been received for En- outside as payment; showing what is the impres- gland at the Post Office, with a rupee stitched sion in that quarter, as to the new regulations.

in

duce and manufactures of its dependencies; for it is the firm conviction of the committee, that colonial pos- sessions, scattered over the four quarters of the globe and legislatively dependent op the acts o distant government, can only be maintained in peaceful and willing obedience by making striot justice and impar- tiality the sole guides of every legislative proceeding by which they may be affected."

such

THE relations between France and England are not as they should be with st It is but justice to say that in Lord Palmerston's close neighbours. conduct and policy the French had a good cause of complaint, which a wise minister would have demonstrated, and it would have at once been re- moved's but which the fire brand, Thiers, did his to augment and exasperate so as to be a great

force on a

a

war, by which France could not loser. Perhaps even its nationality endangered by

Malays and the copper coloured races, (as feriable (according to the announcement) "upon such a wanton and unprovoked outrage on the law

distinguished from the white and the black) are by the Chinese placed in the ca- tegory of red men.

of nations. We hope good sense of will be strong enough to avert

to avert the

countries

mity of a war, which would be so disastrous to the best interests of civilization and social improve-

We are glad to announce that Mr Lan- ger, Architect, of Calcutta has, with his fa- mily, taken up his residence upon the is- land. A number of new buildings have re- cently been commenced, and we understand that Mr Langer has already had the pro- mise of six or seven to begin with. He proposes to draw the plans of buildings, and the parties make their own contracts with the Chinese builders, while he superintends the faithful execution of the work for a reasonable commission. We hope Mr Lan-parties having the option of pre-paying postage:strictions, and reducing import duties on foreign

ger will meet with generous encouragement in an occupation so highly advantageous in every respect to the safety and comfort of the dwellers on the Island. He brings strong recommendations from influential firms in Calcutta.

THE Peruvian, Captain Pitketly, will leave this port in a few days. Our friends will be glad to learn that some 150 Tons of her Tea Cargo have been imported direct from the Coast thereby sav- ing the enormous duties and exactions which are lev. -ied at Canton on the Exportation of Teas from thence. We have reason to know that there will soon be a large augmentation of this Trade from arrangements already completed.

The heavy rains, which have prevailed, during the last four or five weeks, have much retarded the progress of the public and private works. The supply of backs, stone and wood have also been very scanty as we can unfortunately ourselves tify. Our readers will rejoice to hear the parations are now making to resume with adour. A large two storied stone edific commenced, facing the Parade.

the expense of our

understandt

The Missiona

heir Mission

the situation Catholic College.

the

If this be a new change, we hold it to be highly inexpedient. At a time when the cost of Postage is so diminished in England, and the communica- tions with India so greatly increasing the charge for Postage ought rather to be lowered than raised. Perhaps some of our friends will explain the consistency of this announcement, with the decla- ration in the Sixth report of the last India and China association, that the Post Master General and the East India Company have consented to

collection of the postage, due both on unpaid let and that instructions have been sent out for the ters posted in the United Kingdom, and on letters prepaid in India, and the blocks for letters having been prepared, are now ready to be r stamping the sent out to India." We have had many inquiries, on this subject and should be happy to answer them if in our power,

By our accounts from India we are much grati- fied to find that the general conduct of the new Governor General fully warrants the favorable opinions we ventured to express in relation to hum in our second number. True, there has been some vacillation about the Afghanistan business, but that was not his fault. The suspension of M. cannot defend, but there may be more than meets Bird (who has however been since restored) we the eye in that act.

It is certain that the noble Lord is very indus- trious and painstaking, eves, and is thorough This is a matter of con

same

we cannot fail

yarn were threatened to be kept out of France by ment. The War of Tariffs, the French ministry had all but begun, by the last accounts our Linen

almost prohibitory duties, against nistry have protested. Deferring to the popular

which our mi ignorance in France of the true principles of poli- tical economy; Sir R. Peel said in reference to French products: he was constrained to reserve many articles from immediate reduction, in the just and angely, may attain that which is just and right, namely, increased facilities for our exports in return. And he added that

he much have not acted on the principle of abolishing re regretted that other enlightened communities,

the French Government persist in its insensate po- articles. We are much rejoiced to find that should licy our own will not attempt to retaliate after a commercial treaty with France we still hope our similar fashion. If even we cannot negociate a Tariff will not be disfigured and deformed by the retention of the present duties on French Brandies, Silks, and Wines. If the French are so ignorant aš to prefer dear Iron, Cotton and Linen because, they are home productions, we English do not share their sympathies and shall be glad to have their Wines, Silks, and other articles, at a low rate al- though foreign products. It was in the spirit of true statesmanship (from which we augur the most beneficial results) when Sir Robert Peel declared in the house of Commons that “IT WAS THE EST OF ENGLAND TO BUY CHEAP, WHE COUNTRIES WILL BUY FROM HER OR NOT How pregnant with is this short sentence though an admitted axiom with the mere in polinical economy, yet so dense has

ince of our

Tariff

NTER