728491-1842-29-Sep-1842 — Page 2

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THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

DATA AND HONGKONG

FRIEND OF CHINA

AND HONGKONG GAZE!

HONGKONG, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER, 29m, 1842.

....

We understand the Calliope will proceed to Formosa and procure the liberation of Mr Gully and the other survivors of the wrecked An. It is however deemed very likely that they will have heen released before her arrival 1 a chop having been despatched to that effect by the Emperor some when the prisoners were liberated at Ningpo, time since. We have heard say, so long ago, as

We would beg to urge on the attention of H. E. the Plenipotentiary the expediency of obtaining a proper Chop, or Edict from the Emperor of China, or his high officers, The Chinese indemnification is coming in, and declaratory of the Cossion, to us, of Hong- - || although moro slowly than was e expected, still on kong, and of the amicable relations now the 15th instant it is said the whole of the first instalment (Six millions s of dollars) was paid, less existing between England and China. This

about half a million which was on the way, or Edict should have the most wide-spread would be shipped at Woosung. We understand promulgation. The best informed as to the the Blonde will take $3,000,000 Modeste and Co- state of Chinese feeling, allege it is indis-lumbine about 8800,000 each, and the Herald $1,000 pensable, if we wish to reap any real ad- 000, Clio about $100,000 to Calcutta. The Endymion vantage from our new relations with this proceeds to lombay. The Calliope to our Port with we presume a portion of the treasure peculiar people..

which may be very beneficially employed in ren- dering our town adapted for the occupation of the numerous population it must soon coutain,

The utter contempt, with which the Chinese proclamations of the late Plenipo- tentiary was treated by the natives, suffi- ciently proves the necessity of now having the formal attestation of their own Author- ities.

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Major Malcolm, the Secretary of Legation, ar rived here in the Auckland Steamer on the 24d inst. from Head quarters in the Yangtzekiang and left on the 24th for, England, via Suez, with dea- patches. The Auckland will touch at Singapore, Paint de Galle and Aden en route,

Every requisite formality as to the prop- er wording, sealing and issuing t these an nouncements should be strictly complied

We understand he was the bearer of the Imperial with, so that they may be received with authorization of the Treaty, the vormilion pencil full confidence and credit by the native signature being appended thereto. The ratifica population; among whom they should betions of the two Borageigns, will be mutually liberally distributed.

Our accounts, just received from Canton, men tion that Houqua has received communications from his son that definite arrangements of peace and amity with the English have been made, That the monopoly of the Hong Merchants is at an end. It is not surprising that under such circumstances, business has been for some time suspended.

Ere this, the full assent of his Imperial Majesty will have been known and Teas ought to go down considerably, whilst English goods ought to ad.

ance importantly,

Our Merchants will err egregiously, if they venture on giving high prices for the new Teas. So of Silk, the rates ought to submit to a large reduction to become a safe return, Unquestionably the con- sumers of Silk at home will (on the announcement of peace) look-for reduced prices not only of China but all other kinds of Silk, as, till undeceived, the general impression will be, that the diminished exports from hence of late years, will have caused a greatly accumulated Stock, which now the Nor thern ports are opened, will be at once poured in

upon them.

Parties interested in this article will do well, to combat the erroneous impressions which we know exist at home on this subject,

It cannot be denied that much larger exports of both Tea and Silk cannot but eventually result from the altered state of affairs in this quarter.

We are informed that musters of various kinds of Tea, have been sent hither from Nanking by H. E. the Plenipotentiary. The report as to their quality, we are told, is generally favorable. The moderateness of their price, holds out a fair prospect of their becoming remunerating returns for our manufactures; when the natives in that vicinity are informed as to the proper cu ring which such Teas require, to adapt them for our Home consumption.

exchanged on the return of Major Malcolm which may be expected in about six months,

Not the slightest doubt of the perfect good furth of the Chinese Government is entertained; and the Imperial Commissioners have even offered to ac- company H. E. the Plenipotentiary to the several Consular Ports; so as at once to make all fitting ar rangements for our new relations with the Chinese

The captured Junks have all been restored and trading with us, has already commenced in the Yaug-tze-keang,

で

beseeching a grenadier to plunge his bayonet through him. The above Officer himself saw a woman dash her own child into a well, but by the prompt assistance of two other Officers, whom be immediately called, he succeeded in rescuing the child alive from the well, and gave it back to its inhuman Mother,

The following is an extract of a letter from an oye witness to the scenes at Chinkoangfoo, parts of which will be read with melancholy interest. We sound our beams of joy that the last hostile scenes of the China Wat are ended, and that peace (and good will we trust too) has been established. May mightily tend to the promotion of lawful commerce, it prove to be permanent and honorable, and of literary and scientific research, and above all aid the onward march of Bible truth and Chris tian principles he

You will no doubt be much delighted to hear that this troublesome and inglorious War, has been at An event not altogether ex- last brought to a close. pected but from the known duplicity of the Chinese so sudden a settlement was unlooked foy the genera lity of persons connected with the expedition. The action of Chunkeangfoo, the last occasion on which the Chinese gave our Army battle, was attended but indeed a very faint idea of the state of this city can give

atances connected with this affair every one will come after its occupation by our Troops; from all circum-

to the decision that at no place did the Chinese (not excepting Canton) exhibit such determination,

fighting with uncommon bravery, and contending with ou Troops for every inch of ground. A this city was taken by Storm; (as might have been e expected) little mercy was shewo to property and looting carried on with an unsparing hand, for in two days this place though one of importance being a great Depot for the silk trade scarcely contained any thing of value,-It appears customary with the Tartar Troops (a large body of which were present here) in the event of a reverse to commit suicide murdering their women and children, which latter cruelty was so common at Chinkeangfoo that either a dead woman or child was almost to be found in every house, and the ponds, wells and ordinary water courses were blocked up with the putrid carcases of human beings, such disgusting sights every where presented themselves, the atmosphere became tainted and unwholesome, to which cause attribute the appearance on the third day after landing of Cholera amongst the Troops, Col. Stevens and disorder which have no doubt you will regret to hear. severely from Coup de Soleil six men were On the day of landing H. M 98th Regiment suffered were struck dead on the field, and ten more shortly afterwards died from the same cause, sixty in all of this Corps died in one week from this and Cholera- casualties amongst the Officers among whom is Lieut. combined. We hire had indeed a large proportion of Gibbons of the Commissary Department shot through the lungs I cannot enter at present more fully into these matters but I am much rejoiced that every ap pearance now exists of a settlement, whether it is to be of a permanent description is dubious, but the in- provement which the Chinese will doubtless make in the art of War leads me to suppose that the next Chi.. nese expedition, will not be quite so easy as this one has been.

that no person would credit; descriptionth results

رخ

We are informed the U. S. S. Constellation will forthwith proceed to Whampoa, and Com- modora Kearney will visit the Authorities at Can-Dr. Flyter are amongst the Victims to this fatal ton and officially demand that the same commer- cial privileges, which are granted to the belligerent British, be accorded to the amicable Americans. We trust he

will suceed in his mission. It is highly satisfactory for us to know that several American Merchants tend to reside at our town. The same spirit of enlightened liberality which marked the formation of the settlement, warrants us in saying that our Authorities will grant every facility for the encouragement of respectable fur- eigners, becoming denizens of the British Island of Hongkong, and partakers of all the advantages of its Free Port..

Ta perusal of the Police report which appears in our prosent number, will repay the reader who is desirous of learning the habits and customs of the Chinese among whom the practice of Kid- napping prevails to a fearful extent. On every opportunity of popular commotion or outbreak, it is the regular practice of certam miscreants to

carry off if possible, the wives and children of the more opulent,- for releasing whom, they extort heavy ransoma. When we advanced last year on Canton, some the Hong Merchants were deprived of their wives and children, by these kidnappers or banditti,

It is obvious that Slavery (of a character very similar to that of British India) prevails in China

However repugnant to our notions, yet sauctioned as the institution is by the Chinese Law, we are

and we have no doubt even erists on our Istan

Currency in Java, is in a state of complete con“ Silver is at a premium of 25 per cent and as Goy- fusion Paper and Copper are now alone used. ernment have legalised paper, it is not likely there will be any change at present, Government issues of the latter paper kept in circulation is: about notes, as well as the Bank of Java, and the amount £600,000, though the whole capital at starting was only £200,000 and a large portion of this has becn n recently lost by bad debts. It is not difficult pursued of sending every particle of Government to account for this state of matters by the system produce to Holland, and until the Trade becomes

foreigners to visit the Island, things cannot much improve.

more free and more encouragement be given 16.

We gladly take this opportunity to inclined to think our Magistrates fin case of their ted currencying is paid for, in this deprecia

record the satisfaction, which we hear generally expressed by our mercantile come inunity, at the sedulous attention, and pains taking intelligence which H. F. the Pleni- potentiary has uniformly evinced, in all that concerns British Commerce, in this quarter of the World. The pra II. E. merits the highest con undazzled by the lustre of still earnestly bent on a as Chief Superintendent Trade which shall even tra statesmanlike diplomac cessful as it has hitherto been.

LAST accounts, we regret to learn, left the whole 90th Regiment in a state sickly as to be entirely unfit for duty.

intervention being needed) would hold themselves here: seeing that according to the terms of their compelled to recognise and permit its existence Warrants, Torture excepted, they are to justice to the native population accordin

Laws, usages and customs

When our Island. part

China

mister

the

obliged to

and even the Civilians are often eceive their s in small copper coin. It will not surprise any one that Java rich it is in natural resources, should yet be mucli stressed for want of Capital, which might be most profitably employed. The deadening nfluence of monopoly, is evidenced by the utter absence of that private spirit of enterprise, which mark the British Colonies, At present, in Jaya there is only one small steamer, plying between the two prm. cipal ports and which does not earn enough for its Coals. Comment is quite superi

The following Proclamation in Chinese, issued by Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, on the 6th July, published for general information.

Hong

AR JOHNSTON.

Charged With envernment ch Hongkong

1948.