THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
place, to avert, as far as they could, the injury to the local trade and prosperity of Canton, which the late fronty is calculated to inflict; and which anxiety, they ovinced by a variety of conciliatory arrangements and concessions, which are too well known to call for ticularization in this letter.
par
As to the alleged inability of the local authorities to afford protection,-that, I can only, as at present in- formed, contemplate in the light of a conjecture, We all know what an unmanageable thing, an exasperated mob is, in every part of the world. Many instances of this truism could be adduced, within all our regolloc- tions, in England and other of the most civilized na- tions of Europe; and, before
subscribe to the cor. rectness of this allegation, I must learn that proper and timely application, was made to the local officers, which, I regret to add, I have strong reasons for be- lieving, was not the case, It may, however, be true, that the Chinese authorities had not the power, imme- diately at hand, to restore order when the riot bocame serious; and it may even be hereafter unhappily veri- fied, that they do not possess the means of preserving the peace for the future; but with respect to the first of these suppositions, it is just and proper in looking at it to inquire why our Lascars.one of whom I am informed began the riot by stabbing a Chinese, were not restrained by those, whose business it was to look after them; and as regards the second supposition, if we admit that it is possible, and investigate the cause, we are obliged to revert to occurrences which took place before I came to China,
None of you, gentlemen, will suppose me capable for a moment of palliating the base and barefaced perfidy of the officers of the provincial government in the progress of events which terminated in the city of Canton being left at the mercy of her majesty's arms in May 1841; but I believe I am quite justified în say. ing, that up to that time, there was no general popular feelings of ill will or antipathy towards the British tion, on the side of the people. It is true, that we had from the earliest period of our intercourse with this empire, submitted (with a very few memorable exceptions) to constant contumely and indignity from the Chinese government officers, but so far as the mass of the population were concerned, they were, 1- have understood, as civil and as well disposed, aš - 1 have invariably found them, in all parts of tha em- pire which I have had occasion to visit, since the peace was concluded. It thence follows, that the change, which at that time came over the people, and which has gradually led to their present state of exasperation and - excitement, must have been brought about by, ourselves—that is, partly by mis- management and partly by ill-treatment, and I be, lieve both these causes, to have had a share in bringing matters to their present crisis.
a posture, as I should consider it to be placed in, were I to send froops and ships of war to Canton, inopposition to the request and wishes of the local government, in order that you might carry on your trade, under the protection of such troops and ships of war. Such an arrangement, irrespectively of the conclusive objection to it, which I adduce above, would inevitably lead to further illwill, heart-burning, and violenc, and its only akelihood, a
result must be disappayveen Bovenments of
-163
for the events which opened to them the floodgates of world is the greatest of blessings, and will be thankful European civilization and knowledge, and raised them in the scale of Nations.
Again; if we consider how mysterious for ages has been the history and language-and-institutions of this third of the population of the world-how entirely, ex- enormous Chinese Empire-containing perhaps one
niousness of it's inhabitants have been in a large meas- cluded it has been from Intercourse with Europe, tho centre of light-how the activity, industry and inge ure thrown away-its fabled Wall presenting, as it were, an insuperable barrier-security for person and property far from being uniform arbitrary punish- ments inflicted at the will of wayward authorities-civil heighten the importance of the peace, which may gra and religious liberty unthought of-all these topics dually ameliorate and bless so immense a population. various blessings The arts of life will follow in its in For Commerce itself, will be the herald for many train, especially agriculture and medicine. The equal there will be reared the frame-work of law for the se administration of justice will soon succecil, upon which
open their storehouse of inventions. Machinery will curity of person and property, The sciences will then
biography will lay the foundation of truth as to past multiply the resources of labor History, chronology, events and persons. Poetry, painting, architecture will come in to adorn life. Natural philosophy and astro- powers of the Almighty. Education will gradually uomy in all their branches, will go on to display the sacli successive age. make its entrance and elevate the rising youth of
(Pinang Gazelle.)
England and China, calamity, which I feel certain renewal of hostilities, bet you will one and all, cordially unite with in fin earnest- ly deprecating ag
In conclusion; I have, in this letter entered, at more length into an exposition of my sentiments, than may have seemed to you, to be called for, by the one which you addressed to me but even before the Canton riots I now communicate to you, and as a copy of this letter took place, I had imbibed many of the impressions which will be transmitted to her majesty's governmiet, in following, I am desirous that the grounds of that deci explanation of the course, which I have decide upon ion, should be clearly known to all of you. I had hop ed, before this time, to have had it in my power to intimate to you the purport of the reply, as to late events, owing to circumstances, beyond my control, I am disap which I am expecting from the viceroy at Canton; but pointed. You shall he made acquainted with it shortly, that the presence of the small steamer at Canton, is and in the mead time, as it seems to be quite certain.
be any douger, she can in no shape ward it off, I have merely a source of irritation, whilst in truth, if there given my ready assent to rear admiral air Thomas Cochrane's suggestion, that she should be recalled.
I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen,
Your very faithful servant,
HENRY POTTINGER, (Signed)
Her majesty's plenipotentiary.
Richard Woosnm, Acting secretary /
Canton,!
(True copy.)
Messrs Dent & Co. Messrs. Turner & Co.
..&c. &c. c&..
Thanksgiving Sermon for the Peace with An Extract from the Bishop of Calcutta's China, preached at Pinang, October 1842.
the 12th of
OR AT
ORA
THE Friend of India, of September the 224, says there appears little hope that the Court of Di rectors will obtain any assistance from the English Exchequer, in reference to the expenses of the war in Afghanistan "and our contemporary adds that the Court of Directors" in believing their ap- plication would be successful "is an instance of credulity which does them little credit." For our- selves we applaud this determination of Sir Robert Peel. His refusal to saddle John Bull, with a por- regard, be had for the present circumstances of our ton of be expense, was to be expected, if any working classes.
There
ing to however some balm in Gilead, for ow-
termination of the "Opium War" the As to the magnitude of the blessing, we should con-
demand has so much increased all along the Coast place, and which seemed to threaten an almost inter-places more than doubled, and hence the coffers sider the length of the conflict which had already taken of China, that Prices for the drug have in some minable amount of misery this would show the im- of the Company, cannot but be greatly replenished The 4th pointlis so mixed up, with those that precede portance of the stop put to it by a good providence, by the enhanced rates which will rule during the it, that, in examining it, I might repent many of my and excite the more our gratitude you are coming year at the Opium Sales. We make out, that foregoing observations; but I will spare you the re- So we should with the same view, reflect on the cir. the Company, cannot fail to obtain at least fifty petition, and will content myself by asking you, col- lectively and individually, whether, with your admit- England, its unacquaintance with the laws of European realized during the War with China. This will cumstances of the Chinese Empire! its distance from perhaps seventy five lacs, beyond the average prices ted knowledge of the hostile feelings of certain classes warfare, and the probability that its Emperor, was in be no inconsiderable item in the revenue receipts, at Canton, coupled with the influence which you de-ignorance almost to the last of the, truth of the clare you believe those classes to be able to exercise and the sufferings of his Empire."
case and with the wise economy which marks Lord over the people, and also bearing in mind, your record ed belief, that sooner or later an outbreak would take portance of its termination in every considerate and dilapidated condition of the Company's finances -The origin of the war again would heighten the im- Ellenborough's policy, it is to be hoped, that the place,you, to whom this letter is particularly ad religious mind THE SURREPTITIOUS BAIT OF A DELE the necessity of again appealing to a British Par- may be so far repaired, that all apprehension of dressed, as well as all other foreigners, whether sub- TERIOUS DRUG BY CHRISTIAN MERCHANTS jects of England or not, can stand forward and con- LEAST MERCHANTS UNDER A CHRISTIAN GOVERNMENT liament, may for ever be removed. scientiously assert, that you have studied the complexion was supposed to have been the occasion of a Nation of the times, that you have in any single iota, or cir- unacquainted with our European usages bringing upon cumstance, striven to aid me in my arrangements as itself the calamities of war, by overstepping, perhaps the humble but zealous instrument of the government through ignorance, the bounds of right and justice whose protection, has been extended to you in an un- towards the British people. ⠀⠀ paralleled degree, and which, I may add you are always So also the pressure on our Manufacturing population ready to claim and expect by endeavouring to disai- at home the temporary failure of our finances, and the pate and soothe, the very excitement and irritation, of disturbances, and conflicts in Afghanistan, which which you so loudly complain? I may even ask, whe-required at the same moment military armaments at a ther you have not thrown serious difficulties and obs- distance of nearly 60 degrees of Longitude (above 4000 tacles, if not positive risk, in the way oft
of the very miles) from each other, and almost double that distance arrangements and measures, which you so earnestly from England,augmented the greatness of the bles. desire to see perfected, and which, next to the assertion sing of peace. of her dignity lending majesty of gay publication for the the eighteen months? It is needless to occupy your time, and swell this letter by detailing circumstances; but I presume that you will now be ready to allow, that it would have been better, had you gone on, as in past line, quietly and unobtrusively with your mercantile pursuits, until it was announced to you, that the pro- visions of the recent treaty were to be considered in fall force. Even in the most civilized parts of the globe, such a course would have been equally advisable and expedient; and how much more so, do they appear needed with a jealous, arrogant, and unapplochable go. vernment like that of China, which we have for ures allowed, and almost encouraged, to revile and treat us as human beings of
I have no arrived sent position,
forth
tages.
48 we
vour
für
have been
ration of Your
Hobart, town, we have intelligence from Vandie- By the Bark “Apolline" Captain Thomas, from mens Land and New South Wales Both these Colonies were suffering from Commercial depression, owing it is supposed to an unusual high- rate of interest and unproductive Wool Crops. Im migration was limited to a certain extent in Van Diemen's Land, and altogether suspended in the mother Colony (N. S. W.) several extensive fail- ures had taken place at Sydney,
A few of the vessels engaged in the Whale Fishery, had previous to the departure of the “A- They report the best Whun with very little polline" returned to Hobart Town with in the use of the American vessels, in competing
was sudden as the reviving fall of rain after a long Oil.
Nor was the unexpectedness off i to be forgotten. It drought. It was when people appeared least to look for it, and when all hearts were dejected with the fear of another year of conflict.
Again, when we turned to the highly honorable terms on which the peace, as it seems, was concluded, our thankfulness would be increased. Peace upon any terms is a great blessing; but peace with a provision for defraying the expenses of the war, with a station permanently made over to the British Crown, and with Parts for the intercourse of com erce augmente the benefit, The Bishop here obser with great diffidence on such
pre
ma
hese previous
that he spoke thing
with whom they stand no chance.
It was fully expected that Sir John Franklin was to be immediately recalled from the Govern- › ment of Van Diemen's Land and was to be replaced thful Lord Glentworth, Grandson of the Limerick
Earl
· Light, Infantry was at Hobart health and efficient discipline-De the 08th Regt. were also there.
Hobart Town for the
Serv
from appr
that a connect
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