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GOVERNMENT PROCLAMATION.

NOTION is hereby given to all persons in this Colony holding property under the Crown, and who have been required by Notice in writing to pay up the arrears of Rent due by them for the same, that, if the above requisi- tion is not immediately complied with, the ne- cessary legal steps will be taken against them by the Attorney General to

eneral to compel payment,

By order,

FREDERICK W. A. BRUCE- nasaap na *1 * Colonial Secretary,

Victoria, Hongkong, 24th October, 1844 am

BUILDINGS REQUIRED

FOR

MILITARY PURPOSES..

THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONG-KONG GAZETTE.

THE FRIEND OF CHINAme been intrusted, without the sanction of a his countrymen engaged in commerce in this

AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

VICTORIA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2010, 1844.

NOTICE b consequenc being carried forward on the Church, there will be rite Se

ther notice.

STANTON

Colonial Chaplain

We observe; from our contemporary of Vester day, that, & public meeting was held in the 28th to petition His Excellency and the members of the Legislative Council, against the recent Regis tration Ordinance; or rather according to the proposal of Mr. Strachen, a memorial to His Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Members of the Legislative Council of Hongkong, by way of protest, or otherwise, against the Ordinance in question as being arbitrary and unconstitutional " That the Ordinance is unconstitutional no man

a

can deny, but that in the present state of society In this colony, it is imperatively culled for, is equally undeniable. The including of Europeans, and making it compulsory on them, to take out registration ticket we consider highly objection abic in fact degrading to Englishmen, and any memorial having for its object an alteration of the

re Council, or going through any of country-they (we speak hypothetically) point- ns, which oven in the most tyranni- | ed out to him the very great restrictions which overnment are deemed necessary. It were placed upon the trade of the new ports, was a simple, Proclamation by Sir Henry by the impost of port charges ou coasting ves. Mr. Cushing, in luring, that if any British shipsels at each of these ports. should be found on the coast of China beyond the treaty which he has arranged, stipulates the 32 parallel of North latitude, she should be that, vessels visiting the northern ports can seized By British men of war, brought to the enter two ports only paying dues once; that British port of Hongkong, and be condemned vessels may anchor in either of the ports for by a British Governor. According to the 4th 48 hours, and provided she finds, it will not Article of the Supplementary treaty, the suit her purpose to sell her cargo, she can Chinese are permitted to seize vessels trading depart without paying any port charger; he at other ports than those opened to foreign has further arranged that goods which have commerce, but that Sir Henry Pottinger should, been stored may be transhipped from one of two weeks after this treaty had been con- the five ports to another of these port without cluded, issue such a proclamation is mous paying duty a second time. These are more trous and unaccountable. tabharti important concessions than a small reduction It is however satisfactory to those engaged in in the duty on lead, and the benefits derived the commerce of India and China, to have Sir from them will be experienced by the British The American Merchants in China are men Henry Pottinger's opinion upon the opium ques quite as much as the American Morchant. tion placed upon récordi. Like every intel-

mer" or any body

ligent and unbiased man, who has visited this country, he distinctly declares, that the evil effects of opium smoking in China are incom- parably less than those experienced by the beer and spirit-drinkers of Europe. From his man

Tim Respective Officers of the Ordnance Department, are still open to receive TENDERS from Merchants or others, for the hire of Buildings for Military purposes, both as regards QUARTERS FOR OFFICERS and STORAGE FOR PUBLIC STOREs and comprising Build-Ordinance, so far as they are concerned, will rely straight forward character, this is precisely ings which are now to let, or which may be ceive our hearty concurrence. come available for occupation within a short period.

MACAO

Keying started for Canton in the French Steamer on the 24th. He called upon the Go: (vernor of Macao on the 23rd, and informed him that, the Typa anchorage would be ceded to Portugal, and that the port of Macao would be made free to all foreign vessels.

Office of Ordnance? 23rd October, 1844 KADINY Didi har ni he called

BUILDING CONTRACT.

es and NOTICE ishte given, that tenders wile be NOTICE is hereby given, that tenders will be ber at noon, from such persons as may be willing to contract for Building two ranges of Barracks near the East Buttery at this place.

Seperate Tenders are to be made for each range, and no tender

r' will be entertained except from a Builder of known experience, or capable of producing respectable, testimonials from Euro- peans, either of Chriton, Macao, or Singapore, shewing that they are duly qualined as Builders, Security will also be required for the performance of the work according to the plans and specifica tions, which may be seen at the Office of the Commanding Ropul and Superintending Engineer, on and after the 28th Instantsil pest VIN EDWARD PINE COFFIN, C. G.

Commissariat. Victoria, 25th October, 1844...

BILLS ON INDIA,

His Excellency the Governor on the Supreme Notice is hereby given, that Bills drawn by Government of India, continue on Sale, and that the rate of Exchange fixed for the month of October is Two Hundred and Eighteen Rupees for One hundred Republican Dollars, or Two Hundred and Twenty five Company's Rupees. EDWARD PINE COFFIN, C. G.

Commissariat, Victoria,

30th September, 1844.

-29

13

26 r.

15

20

Chinese

day Day of

of Month

Mouth (Weck.

10

21 for

29

This, if followed up with energy by the Go- vernor and senate, may yet save the place from destruction, which is inevitable, under the pre sent system. We hear it is proposed to levy a tax upon house property. It is estimated that the houses of Macao are in number 3,000 yielding an average rental of $20 per month, 4 tax of 10 per Cent, on the amount would give an annual revenue of $7,200. This is but a small sum it is true, but with the other sources from which the revenue is drawn, may make the receipts about equal to the disburse ments, provided their is a curtailment of the expenditure, The customs department could be well spared; the duties not being sufficient to pay the salaries. The troops also might be disbanded; as a protection againt any hostile force, they are.

useless, and a police, would be enough to keep good order within the town.

Had the alterations now talked of been made two years ago, the British Merchants would been but a military station. still have been in Macao, and Hongkong have

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of

too much intelligence and good sense to crow over Sir Henry Pottinger else in consequence of the advantages com- merce will obtain, by the treaty their Envoy has concluded. They know very well that, the trade of China, has been opened by a lavish expenditure of British gold, and a me. lancholy loss of British lives. They know that commercially and politically speaking, foreign nations are now placed upon a diffe. rent footing in China, solely through the ener getic measures taking by Great Britam, to con- vince the Chinese that, the western_nations huge empire, in its whole length and breadth. The Americans know that, they in commen with all other nations share in the advantages derived from the late war, and now that their plenipotentiary has succeeded in recti- fying some of the blunder's committed by our late Governor, they are proud, we do not doubt, of thus having it in their power to in- tained from barbarism, but we deny that there crease those boons which civilization has ob- is any crowing.

that appointment. Out the purposes of who had long been despised, could shake their

the opinion which it might have been predict ed Sir Henry Pottinger would give; and it is an opinion which in England will have great weight greater than that of any one man who has ever visited this country. Sir Henry, fortuna tely, has the confidence of both parties. The Whigs give him ins appointment the Torys gave him power to

claim him as their own-the Hon. Company are pround of him as an Indian officer, and Her Majesty will be happy in rewarding an old and faithful servant Sir Henry Pottinger, is thus placed in a posi- tion, which will give much weight to his opi nion upon the opium question He is also a man, who will not sacrifice his feelings for self interest nor to please or conciliate any fana tical party in England, will he pervert truth so far as to assert that the use of opium is than the use of spirits, opium

The

worse

In looking over our files of Indian papers, other mis-statements One

question will probably be we notice severe Sir Henry Pottinger

brought before parliament, the next, or the fol- lowing session, and fully discussed in all its bearings. And the sooner this is done the bet ter for commerce. In England, there has been unmerited obloquy, thrown upon this branch of commerce. It has been denounced as a trafficing in poison; and in the eyes of some is still looked upon, as little better than dealing in human blood. The perfect absurdity of such an impression, ought to be exposed, and there is manner in which this can be done

was Governor of China ! Governor of China, Journal states

Hong forsooth! Sir Henry was Governor of kng, which will tive proportion to China which a mouse does to a mountain. Had the paper said late Dic tator to China, then he would have designated Sir Henry correctly, When Nankin and Pe- kin lay at bis mercy, and it was well known that the conquest of the latter, would have utterly destroyed the Tartar dynasty-then Sir

bear about the rela

In our last paper, we printed at length, Sirt by a parliamentary investiga Henry did not require to negotiate terms, he

During the late hostilities, in the army, and in the navy, there were many intelligent observers, men who have not the slightest in. terest either in holding up this branch of com. merce, or in putting it down. They are the men to examine before a committee, or before the whole house upon this question,

was in a position to dictate them. Had he chosen to assume the character, he would no longer have been the Diplomatist, but have taken upon himself that of the Dictator. Sir Henry however was contented with the terms of a treaty which had, for anything we know to the contrary, been sent out from the foreign office "cut and dry." It will be rather curious should this treaty, for negotiating which (we would say for dictating which) Sir Henry has received so much credit, turn out to be the production of one of the gentlemen in Downing Street. If such is the case we shall shortly hear that some one claims its paternity-but we do not think any one will attempt to reb Sir Henry of his own legitimate bantling, the supplementary treaty.

a

We suppose it must have been the good cheer of the Pottinger festivities, which all of sudden directed the attention of the Bombay press to the little colony of Hongkong, and the actions of our new Governor; or probably, with Sir Henry's brilliant colonial career befire- them, they think it incumbent on them to look sharp after his successor. We will not critically enquire into their motives; suffice it to know that, the Bombay Times rates Mr. Davis soundly, for the withdrawal of H. M. Ship Wolverine from Canton last June, and the absence of a British man of war during the riots in Canton that month.

Henry Pottinger's energetic and feeling reply to the very handsome address presented to him by the Bombay chamber of Commerce, and however much we may differ from the Mer ohants of Bombay in the estimate they have formed of Sir Henry Pottinger's services in

Were we trafficers in the drug, we would China, we are willing to admit that, greater AO NOTICE.

honours, than they conferred on Sir Henry, court enquiry, as to the nature of the trade, and its effects pon the consumers, as compared New advertisements, will be received, until 4 have been conferred by greater people on

effects produced by ardent spirits; O'Clock, on the evenings previous to publi- objects less deserving. We are not now with the effects cation, ez: Tuesdays; and Fridays. going to enter into an explanation of the causes, and we predict that, when enquiry is made, which induced the Merchants of China to many who now reprobate the trade, will say withhold from their late Governor any public with us, when the British Government, pro- mark of their approbation. These causes are hibit distillation and brewing at home, and the well known, nut only in Chind, but in Bombay, importation of spirits beer or wines from abroad, and every unprejudiced man must admit, that then they may turn their attention to the vices without a sacrifice of their own dignity and of the Chinese-sooner it is mere cant and hy- pocrisy. Were England to be inad enough, without acting in direct opposition to their own opinions, as a body, and as individuals, the to prohibit the growth or exportation of opium British Merchants of China could not have from India, she would throw a profitable sour- come forward and publicly declared that theyce of revenue, and of commerce, into the hands approved of His Excellency's measures The of other nations, who would be too glad to men who are compelled by Sir Henry avail themselves of her imprudence. Bengal Pottinger's unjustifiable restrictions upon Bri- and Malwa are not the only places where tish shipping, to purchase foreign vessels and opium can be cultivated. That of Turkey, sail them under foreign colours, could not con- though at present of small consumption among scientiously say, we approve of your measures, the Chinese, because not suited to their palate, would rapidly come into favor, and in other and we regret your departure. No, they were glad to sec Sir Henry Pottinger take his de- countries, the cultivation would be commenced.

We have already repeatedly parture, and they did not go through the hol- Malwa-which by the way does not grow in low ceremony of presenting him with a mock British India-would find egress through some grated, that at no time should the British inha- address. We are very willing to give Sir other port than Bombay; and as this des bitants of Canton be left without the protection Henry Pottinger credit for all his good actions cription of opium constitutes about one half of of a national vessel. At the time of these riots, în China; and when the Bombay press proves the imports from India, it would be found in there were in this harbour, H. M. Ships Agin- that the charges which have been brought possible to suppress it. We may cast away court, Dido Custor and Pelican, with the against him are untrue, then we will acknow- a few millions a year, which will be soon picked Steamers Driver, Spiteful and Proserpine,ag ledge that, his

countrymen here were up by commercial rivals, but as to checking the Whampao there was not a single British pentrut. wrong in allowing him to leave the colony use of opium among the Chinese, that we In several issues we protested against this apathy The lives of the British in Canton without some testimonial of their esteem, cannot do n

were known to be in danger, but not an anchor Are the Gentlemen who edite the Bombay

was raised, not a sail was spread for their pro papers aware, that in consequence of Sir

tection, This was certainly a sad state of af Henry Pottinger's confining British ships in the China sea, to the limit of the 320, of The Englishman informs us that the Hon. Mr. fairs-British life and British property was ons North latitude, if found beyond which by a Cushing, the American Plenipotentiary to the Em- dangered-a British squadron, lay quetly at ship of war they are confiscated-we say, are peror of China, has negotiated a treaty with Ke- anchor within a one hundred miles of the spot, the Gentlemen of Bombay aware that, in con-shing, the exact counterpart of that already conclud and our countrymen were left to the protection ed between the Chinese and the British authorities of a foreign ship of war and the armed crews sequence of this very objectionable measure The Americans have, it seems, succeeded in one of their own Merchant ships. We entirely some of the first houses in China, and probably taining a small reduction on the import duty of the first purely commercial houses in the world,tead, and may therefore crow over Sir Henry Pot. concur in the opinion of the Bombay Lone", have now building in the North of Europe four

Mid

Mean

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE FROM 2157 OCTOBER TO 21TM OCTOBER, 1814 Fore Latter

Barometer

88 29 8129 84.3 77 75 76.5 E.NE Max 1 Blin Blean; Thermometer:

Winds

Kainarka.

Dull, light ralir út times,

Duli. E fresh, E. becoze.

Dail day, fine night, elcas

N.W Fine clear dry, as night breeze

Fino clear.

For part fine clear, latter dull.

steady, at noon blowing squalls Fly, southing; at 2 p. m. E.S. E. moderating at 6 p.m. Uhr Miom, wind E. by N, strong; at 105, m, blowing a from NNE. with rain, increasin

Tüdemir, at Maxūti

Beddea freably

Bug, and

PONGLAND

frent

LATEST DATES.-

Ang

UNITED STATES July 1 Sept 14

Jy 17

CALASTTA. BOMBAY STONEF

·BATAFS

Sept

fresh.

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also le doyd We take the following from the Friend of India of the 12th ult

or five ships, to be sailed under a foreign flag, tinger. This settlement of the bushess at Canin as much, as he considers this apathetic in- ton will of course render it unnecessary for the difference highly censurable ; but the Times is young Plenipotentiary to go to Pekin, We now wrong in throwing the odium on Mr. Davis. wait to see whether the Minister of the Great Na There is a Rear Admiral in command of Her tion will be content without a personal introduc-Majesty's naval forces in China:: That Rear tion to the Dragon Throne.

and that one of these vessels has already arrive ed in this port, These are facts, stubborn facts which all the eloquence, or all the sophistry, of the Indian press cannot drive from the remem- brance of thinking men.

It may be said, in extenuation of Sir Henry Pottinger's arbitrary conduct, in thus placing restrictions upon the shipping of his own.count try, and rendering them liable to be seized by British men-of-war, if found on the coast of China beyond the limit he had named, that he Oct 8 acted in accordance with the stipulations of the 4 Supplementary Treaty. Such however is not the fact, it was an uncalled for stretch of the extraordinary powers with which he had for a

Octa

S

- SAGAPORE

MASTER

Det 15

CESAS SHANGHAI Det, Foo.tzow-roo Oct, ANOT

Oct.

8.

Admiral, was in dongkong harbour at the time This is only one of the many foolish state, those riots took place, and he is the man who is ments which appear in the Indian press regard responsible for this negleet. It is well known, ing China, and renders us a little curious to that Sir Thomas Cochrane, does not like any know where our Jadian.contemporaries pick man to interfer with him in his disposal of up such rubbish. The American Minister, in the slips under his command, and that his the treaty recently concluded with China, ideas of the duties of Her Majesty's ships We do not give it obtained much greater concessions than the are rather peculiar. Englishman appears to be aware of nor as a fact, but we think that were the truth has there, been any eroting in the matter, made public, we should find that, Mr. Davis hip Mr. Cushing acted as any other sensible (who has not the power to order a man would have done-he consulted with to any particular point) stated plainly to Bir