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THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONG-KONG GAZETTE:

Further particulars will appear in ano- || ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE. { ther advertisement.

Most of the articles

are good both in quality and condition, and to be sold only because not now needed for the public service.

EDWARD PINE COFFIN, C. `G.

Commissariat, Victoria, 5th December, 1843.

NOTIFICATION.

*

CITY OF SHANG¤, 14th November, 1843, I HEREBY NOTIFY o all Her Majesty's Subjects, that I have temporarily established the British Consulate within the City of Shanghai, in a street situated close to the walls between East and West gates. I solicit the co-operation of all parties. in aiding me to conduct the duties entrusted to my charge. In communication with the Intendant of Circuit and Superintendent of Customs, the Port of Shanghai is declared open for the trade on the 17th instant, from which date all Regulations re- lating thereto will be in force.

For the present, the limits of the Port of Shang- hai are declared to be within the lines forined by Pooshan Point bearing West, and the Battery on the right Bank at the mouth of the river below Woosung, bearing South West.

(To the Editor of the Friend of China.) Ship "HELEN STEWART” Chusan Harbour, 22nd November, 1843, Dear Sir,

·

graimales

The meatures taken for disposing of offices of rank and emo- lument at a fixed price have proved eminently successful, pro- daning large sums of money in every morter of the Empire. Every one now having a claim upon the Government must want for a vacancy; this circumstance will throw the aucoessful rail and literad very much into the chude, unless they have menu y when there will be no difficnity in the way of their advancen L. After the most strict investigation into the loss of nine milli- on of taels from the Imasury it now appears that notwithstan- "ding the occasional repairs of the suong boxes, they gradually decayed, auil hence the money fell out. This excuse is not considered valid, and all those who now are, or were formerly connected with the Board of Revenue are held responsible to make good the enormous delicit Several members of the In-

amounting altogether to 220,000) taels.

As many ships bound for Chusan now come up out- side of Formosa, and I see by your Gazetty of the 23rd of February last, that you are willing to give to those interested in them, as much useful information as pos- sible, I take the liberty of begging you to notice the following danger in your next.. Having left Hong-perial household have consequently contributed their share, kong in the Ship Helen Stewart" on the 2nd of this month, I made Kume Island in Lat. 24° 25' N. and Longitude 123. 5' E. on the 16th, and at 4. 30 P. M the island then bearing E, S, distant 3 leagues, steer- ing N. N. E. with a light wind at East, and a heavy northerly swell, saw breakers ahead, bearing from N. N. E. to N. N. W. about 34 miles distant, apparently a dangerous shoal extending abou! E. b. S. and W. b. N. 3 miles, and hearing N. W. b. W. 4 W. 3 continued breakers on the middle of the apparent shoal, or 3 leagues from Kune island. but it only broke occasionally at the extremes although It perhaps there was a very heavy swell running. smooth. Having dark cloudy weather, with rain and may not show breakers when the water is moderately

a heavy sea, I regret to say that I could not send a boat to sound, as it became quite dark when abreast then no bottom at 80 fathorns. Floping that I shall of the breakers. I saw them until 6 P. M. and had

not be giving you too much trouble,

There were.

--I remain, Sir, Your obedient Servant, JAS. F. WHITTINGHAM Commanding Ship" Helen Stewart.

The place of anchorage for loading and unload- ing within the Port, is as close over as possible to the left Bank at the bend of the river adjacent to a creek named the Woosung Kow, which at the distance of about three quarters of a mile below the walls of Shanghai,discharges its waters into the Shanghai river; and when the number of Vessels may render it requisite, Ships must anchor head and stern, leaving the navigation of the river clear,porary has published it. and the mouth of the Woosung Kow well open.

The Tariff, General Regulations, and various Proclamations promulgated by H. E. Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart. G. C. B., Her Majesty's Plenipo- tentiary ffor conducting the commercial intercourse with China, must be strictly adhered to by myself, as well as by those resorting to this Port.

The Intendant of Circuit and Superintendent of Customs, has established a Government Banking Establishment, or Shroff Shop, for the receipt of Tonnage Fees and Export and Import duties, and has fixed the Office in the street leading from the little East gate of the City to the bank of the river, the firm being held by six Partners, vizt.

Yaou Hungyuen

Chow Hooshing

Maou Hangho

Kwo Wanfung Chuen Yaenjee

King Yaenkee

any one of whom is empowered to grant receipts for monies paid on account of the above purposes. Standard weights and measures are lodged in the Office of the Consulate, and as all duties will be fixed and levied according to these standards, British Merchants are recommended to provide themselves with sets, which can easily be obtained at Shanghai, and the propriety of endeavouring to bring the same into general use, is submitted for consideration.

As the different Trades and Professions at this place have different weights and measures, and as none agree with the Government Standard fixed for the five Ports, particular caution is essential in all commercial transactions, to have the Catty and Covid by which the transaction is to be settled clearly defined, and it will prevent difficulties and loss, to be cautious in reposing confidence until the characters and conduct of parties are better known. Afrangements are in progress for selecting a suitable site for Dwelling and Store Houses; for settling by assay the per centage to be paid on silver coins, to raise the Silver thereof to the stand ard of fineness fixed for the payment of the duties for establishing a place for the Custom House, ex- amination of goods landed and shipped off, and for appointing Pilots and adopting other arrangements to facilitate the navigation into and out of the Port. Due intimation will be given, on the completion of the measures connected with any of the above named points, which must for the present be con- sidered as still unsettled.

Although it is desirable to adhere to the usual hours for the transaction of business, yet it will be clearly understood that when necessary the Consu- Jate will be open to all Persons, at all Hours; and any aid or information which can be afforded by, the Consular Establishment, will, as a matter of duty, be willingly given on application either by writing, or personal communication.

(Signed,)

G. BALFOUR.

H M. Consill a Shanghai.

77

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. NAUTICUS. We regret that want of space compels us to omit the account of the regatta in Blenheim Reach; the omission however will be the less felt, as a contem--

W. M. L. We are compelled to defer this letter until our next.

ERRATUM.

In our issue of 16th November, conunercial article, for Grey Long Cloths $ 2, 60 to $4 read $ 2, 60 to $ 3.

The publication of the FRIEND OF CHINA, AND HONGKONG GAZETTE, commenced on Thursday last at & 'Clock A. M.

Sept., 14

Sept. 2

LATEST DATES. ENGLAND

Aug. 5 SINGAPORE Oct. 19 UNITED STATES June 14 ЗАТА

Sept.

27 CALCUTTA

Sept. 28

MANILA

Nov. 12 BOMBAY

CHUSAN

Nov, 20 SYDNEY

AMOY

Nov.

7

THE FRIEND OF CHINA,

AND HONG-KONG GAZETTE.

VICTORIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 1843..

W are indebted to the kindness of a friend in the island for a copy of the Notification issued by 11. B. Majesty's Consul at Shanghai, on assuming charge of his office; we are sure it will be perused by our readers with feelings of pleasure, and we are satisfied that under the auspices of so sensible an officer, the trade at the port cannot fail to be carried on to the satisfaction of all parties con- cerned.

We beg to

The country of Kokonor situated between the province of Tze- chuen and Tibet, has lately been the scene of very sanguinary feuds between the mountaineers and the Chinese authorities. Matiers grew serions and a large body of Chinese troops accom. panied by several Mongul chiefs were despatched from the fron. ders to maintain the authority of the Chinese Mandarins. The Chinese ware victorians and hotly pursued the enemy who

who after losing man after man, capitulated. The Chinese forces will now therefore be withdrawn, with the exception of small garrisons left to take charge of the country. The Mongul chiefs will be richly rewarded for their loyalty and bravery. Thus one of the mist harrassing struggles is finished, and the Chinese' troops their way home covered with laurels. The province of Tze- chuen though thus freed from invasion has been exposed to dread. ful ravages by robbers, who ascending the rivers in large boats have laid waste the adjacent country and spread misery among the inhabitants. By last accounts the evil was increasing another band of outlaws had united with the aboriginal Meaoutze of Hookwang and defied the government, Hopes were however entertained that by means of promises and threats peace would be established.

are on

Ou th 22nd August an Envoy from Avà appeared on the fron. tiers of Yunn an requesting permission to offer tribute from his Birman Master of all-the productions of his native land, which was granted.

The inundations in the latter end of August and during Sep. tember both in Ganwing as well as Honan have been awful, | inmerging whole districts, villages and cities. The reports of this fearful calamity are numerous and heartrending. The Emperor directs that the officers entrusted with the care of the Yellow River are all to be punished, and that subscriptions to the amount of £ 3.0,0.030 sterling (9 millions of taels) be raised to reconstruct the dykes.

An old woman of 85 years of age, applied for the release of an only son, who had been an officer at Paoushan near Woosung when that city was taken) as a support in her old age. The suit however has been rejected, for the purpose of maintaining milita. ry discipline and making an example, and he is to be transported to the frontiers. The request of the Governor General of Fokeen and Chekeang to have their punishment remitted, has met with no better succ. ss; for in the hour when the Brittsh forces advan- ced, they abandoned their respective charges, and did not die for their country, and therefore must abide the consequence,

It is impossible to peruse the papers, Whig or Tory, Conserva. tive or Liberal; without perceiving that we are on the eve of great changes, which may probably affect the stability of our institu tions. The general aspect of affairs is gloomy, and the gloom is unrelieved by a single ray of cheerfulness from any quarter. The Tories have now been two years in office, with a strong Govern. ment, and an overwhelming Parliamentary Majority, they have had the benefit of an Income tax, and of the money refunded by China; yet the revenue is in a more deplorable condition than under the Whigs; our foreign trade is still falling off and our honie consumption of taxable articles, is becoming more restricted. In addition to every other calamity, we have now the ruin of the iron trade; the Masters have been obliged to blow out their fur. naees, and it was expected that a hundred thousand workmen would be thrown out of employment in a very short time, and thus augment the general distress and disaffection. The palmer worm is evidently at the root of our national prosperity, and its plenty and want are bec ming daily more palpable and galling blossoms, are withering. The extremes of wealth and poverty, and the time draws near when those extremes will meet, und fearful indeed will be the shock grand ja depend

It is manifest to all parties, that some radical changes must be effected in the state of suciety, highly distasteful to the upper and wealthier classes, and which no Minister, Whig or Conservative, can venture to propose without the certainty of being driven from his post, but which no circumstances can apparently avert. The working classes of society perceive that every arrangement, every change, and almost every improvement serve only to increase their distress. The corn law enhances the price of the poor man's bread, for the benefit of landlords; the tithe commutation Act has in

many instances made the the pressure more insupportable;. turnpike roads, which afford such admirable convenience for the conveyance of goods, are charged with so many tolls that the

acknowledge the receipt of copies of the Pekin Gazette, up to the end of September and return our best thanks to the friend who forwarded them. Through the kindness of another friend we are enabled to present our readers with a Sum-bearing community cannot take advantage of them; and even the mary of their contents, which will be found in an- other column.

We offer no apology for extracting from the Friend of India the very able review of the state of the country on the departure of the August over- land mail. It is well written, and gives a clearer idea of the state of things than a dozen extracts from the London papers.

Poor Law, designed for the relief of the country, has in many in- stances inflicted an additional burden on the industrious, and, in all. cases, exasperated their feelings. The general depression of al- most every interest is so great, that even the Income tax,

drawa chiefly from the pockets of the rich, has afforded no-compensation for the loss of revenue, The drain ou the Treasury from foreign war has ceased. Except in Iceland, we have no army in the field; yet the prospects of England are not improved.

The re- venue continues to sink.

Above all things we dislike newspaper squab- bles; one word in reply to our brother of the Canton Press, and we have done. With regard to the prices of Opium at Amoy quoted in our issue of 9th. November, they were perfectly correct; both written and verbal information have since confirm ed the fact. By a typographical error (16th) price of Long-Cloths was quoted $2,50 to $4, instead of 33. Let our brother look a little nearer home, before he accuses us of being very inaccurate, upon appal the mon stout hearted Minister. That country is at pre- the strength of his being able to point out one mistake we could point out a few in his last issue did we feel inclined.

It is deemed probable that A. E. the Imperial Commissioner will yield to the entreaties of the Hong Merchants, and issue an order imposing further duties on certain articles. These duties however are to be imposed on the Chinese nominally, but as usual John Bull will eventually hear the

burden,

And the

Even the peaceable, the forbearing, the phlegmatic Welsh have been roused into resistance, and three Regimenta cannot prevent toll

gates from being levelled with the ground. The Welen began with a war upon the tolls, and have now extended their opposition to tithes, and the Poor Law. Wo may almost adopt the language of Burke, and say on this invasion of King Edward, and the massacre of the bards, there this occasion, "Since the never was such a tumult, and alarm, and uproar, through the region of Prestatyn... The fury of litigious war blew her horn and the deep caverns vomited out their miners. Every thing on the mountains; the rocks poured down their goat herds, above ground and every thing under ground was in arms. "The determined and organized resistance of so large and hardy a po pulation, serves still more to embarrass the machine of Govern

At the same ume the condition of Ireland is enough to

sent under the control of one man, and that man is not the Queen's representative, Come of our contemporaries appear to consider the agitation as dying out. We cannot see on what ground their option is formed roboRGETICEdecreased the gatherings of the people are as large as ever? The accesson of the gentry to the cause of towards the Saxon become daily more bitter and

ment.

without shatement O'Connell will not of course poses to organize a Government and to dray of the administration. He has directed, the

to set to lien of the Justices of lis seed. He has alloted 3000 House in Dahan. He wa

Witou howev

and then the

lesinge

tede

He