728662-1844-04-Dec-1844 — Page 2

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NOTICE.

THE SUPREME COURT will sit for the trial o couses under its Summary Jurisdiction on Mon day the ninth day of December 1844, et ten

'plock A. M.C

o All Plaints must be entered in the Registrar's Office before three o'clock on Thursday the 5th of December.

By order of the Court. ROBERT DUNDAS CAT.

Court House Victoria, 30th November, 1844,

Reg

istra

THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

mico per con.

We have taken some pains to collect authen tic information as to the reception of our distin guished visitors, and we shall now briefly present our renders with the result of those inquiries.

On Thursday evening Monsieur and Madame Tagrene and a portion of the suite dined with His Excelleney the Governor, in whose residence they were provided with apartments during thoir on the Island. Heizr

by the most kindly interchange of feeling, and 3ogue last Thursday afternoon. The piratical that nothing could surpass the cordiality and vessel is described as having all the appearance of riendship which has throughout subsisted bea Mandarin boat, and was full of men. Previous tween the French minister and the authorities of to carrying the Hannah they kept up a fire from this colony.

şeveral Guns, one of some sizo, and as is usual, when close alongside fire balls were thrown upon deck. The pirates were much disappointed at finding their prize loaded with rice, as there is rea son to believe they mistook her for a vessel having la chests of opium on board, in company of which she left Macao. They helped themselves to a Chronometer with a few trifling articles, and after anchoring the Brig, stood boldly up the river.. We regret to hear that fears are entertained for the safety of seven of the Hannah's crow Some of them it is supposed escaped in a boat but one or two were probably killed. The Captain and se- pilot found a refuge in the top, from whence he

the Bogue to donfand an explanation. the affair Commodore Parker promptly despatched one of his Lieutenants with a party of Marinek to

stav

There appears to be some fatality in all the commercial regulations of Spanish or Portuguese governments. They cannot see that liberality is their true policy; their views extend no further than the small revenue that can be raised directly from commerce, but to the infioi tely greater indirect revenue they are blind. Macao from reasons which we have more than once pointed out, still retains a large portion of what is termed the outside trade of China. The Chin chew and the Canton trading Junkt give it a very decided preference over Hongkong why such should be the case we need not now discuss, but there is no denying the fact. The large Ames rican houses also give their support to Macao-it is at that port that nearly all their vessels first ar ture. Could the Authorities of Macao only see. The distinguished guest and his Lady were recond mate secreted themselves on board, and tho their present position, with the ess of a person perceived at the General's door by a guard of honor For Bills on India at Two Hundred and Twen fectly uninterested and unbinned, they would I consisting of the Grenadier Company of the 98 could see what was going on. Upon hearing of ty Rupees (220) for 100 Mexican Dollars; and for Bills on England, at Fifty pence Sterling (50)

EDWARD PINE COFFIN, C. 0, Vietoria, November 30th, 1844,

GOVERNMENT BILLS Wrra reference to the notice dated the 1st inat, it is hereby notified that the rates of exchange for

the ensuing month of December are fixed.

for One Mexican Dollar,

BUILDINGS REQUIRED

FOR

MILITARY PURPOSES, THE 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 Buildt ings which are now to let, or which may be come available for occupation within a shor period.

Office of Ordnance 23rd October, 1844. S

NOTIGE.

New advertisements, will be received, until 4 O'Clock, on the senings previous to publi- cation, viz: Tuesdays and

22

1 sen

2

21

::20

19.

Strong breses throughout dali, night

mizzly

· Dull,

Do., smart fall of rain during night.

with rain, and at Intervals during day. Daylight gusty, continued thunder

ENGLAND

UNITED STATES

CALCUTTA

BOMBAY

SYDNEY

MADRAS BATAVIA

H

Fridays,

16

17

མ བསོ

of Month Month Week. day Day of Day of

Max

METEOROLOGICAL TABLE FROM 25TH NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER 1st, 1841

Barometer

Mia Mean

Maz Min! Mean.

Thermometer.

Winds

Latter

• Remarks.

Fine clear.

variable

LATEST DATES, O

Aug. 8

July 10

Oct. 2 Oct. 6 Oct, 10 Sept

Supt 4.

25228

49

SINGAPORE Oct 19 MANILA Oct. 15 CHUSAN

Nov.

·SHANGHAI Nov. 12 -Foo.grow-roo Oct.

AMOY

Nov.

29

THE FRIEND OF CHINA, AND HONGKONG GAZETTE,

VICTORIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 4тμ 1844.

NOTICE -A Mail for England via Singapore and Bombay per clipper" Ardascer * will be closed at 57.2. Friday the 4th instant,

Post Offico, Victoria, 2nd December, 1844,

MĂCAQ. We hear that some important changes will imme, diately take place in the regulations under which trade is conducted at this port. On the 1st of January, Macao will be declared a free post, open to the flag of all nations upon, a perfect equality, Foreign shipping will be admitted to the inner harbour, hitherto only open to Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish vessels. The jurisdic- tion of the Macao Government will extend to the Typa, and it is said that merchants will be per mitted, to Warehouse their goods in Maceo, paying a duty of one per cent, if re-exported within one month.

We fear that theas cancessions are made too late for the purpose intended, even were they not incumbered by a very serious new impost, namely, ships anchoring in the Typa, or in the har bour, will be required to pay tonnage dues of fire

On Friday our hospitable and much esteemed Lieut Governor, Major General D'Aguilar, gave

rive and from thence they take their fual depar splendid entertainment.

HEALTH OF

Majesty the King of the Fronch, and many He live long to promote the prosperity of France and to preserve the peace of Europe.

lovy no dates at the custom house, nor of this military display was considerably heighten Iay no tonnage does upon shipping, they would Regiment accompanied by the band. The effect would they put one cent upon goods stored for ed by a range of torch bearers, who were drawn re-export. As an entrepot Macao possesses ad up in front of the house. At one end of the dining vantages which even tho pervossity and cupidity of room were placed the French and English flags it rulers, have not utterly destroyed. A perfect their fulds commingling in token of sincera and freedom from all restrictions would yet draw a joyous brotherhood. Dinner concluded, the Ma portion of the foreign merchants, including all the jor General rose, and after a short and compli- Americans to that port, Proprietors of house pro-mentary preface, adapted to the occasion, gave the perty would again be enabled to rent their houses. on favorable terms the people would obtain em ployment as heretofore from foreigners, and by an. influx of strangers, money would again be put in cir culation and prosperity be restored to the city of St. Jobu. We fear the suicidal act of imposing tonnage dues upon foreigo vessels will consummate the ruin of Macao. The Americans will withdraw entirely and concentrate their commerce in Canton, and great as is the present distress of the people it will become still greater. The senate clings to its old fashioned ideas, they place dues apon the ships of the people who are their best friends. They will discover when it is too late that, the foreign trade of China can be conducted perfectly well were Macao a heap of ruins, and they will ¦ regret, when regret is unavailing their own infu tuation. Since the day that Hongkong was ceded to Great Britain until now, we never doubted that

the British merchants, with the affection of loyal subjects, would place themselves under the pro- tection of the laws of their own country, and that their support would consequently in a great degree ho withdrawn from the neighbouring settlement. They have done so, and though unfortunately for themselves commerce has not followed, the causes are known, and beyond their control, but when these causes are removed, Hongkong will take her destined position among the great marts of the East. Rivalry between the two places is out of the question; but at the same time the flourishing condition of the one need not cause the ruin of the other. Macho under judicious management might even now be saved from her impending fate. Let the senate only enquire into the causes of the extraordinary prosperity of the barren Island of St. Thomas, in the West Indies, let them come nearer home and view the trade and revenue of

The Toist was received by the foreign guests with extraordinary emotion.

The Health of the Queen of England was then given by the French Ambassador, prefaced by a Speech from that Gentleman, full of expessions of the highest respect and esteem for the English nation, and of his own personal and deep gratitude for the distinguished and kind manner of his re- ception.

by

The Health of Mr. Davis having been proposed Monsieur Lagréné, the Governor replied to it in French with great fluency and success.

The next toast wns;

Madame and Monsieur Lagrend, with best ac- knowledgements for the honor conferred upon Hongkong hy their visit, and sincere good wishes for a safe return to their native Country.

The toast that followed this was given by the Major General in honor of the French Admiral, namely,

Admiral Cecille and his Fing, and may it be always displayed in Union with our own.

This was replied to by Admiral Cecille in a Speech of great eloquence and feeling, and which displayed a spirit of the traust public as well as personal cordiality.

The entertainment closed, at a late hour, with a handsome Supper, after which the party brake up, one and all apparently much gratified and de- lighted with the events of the evening.

"}"

This is the second case of piracy which line been committed with forty miles of Hongkong in a few weeks, and in both instances lives have been lust Opium or treasure is the prey, which is chiefly sought, and there is no doubt that the pirates have confederates in Macad who inform them when ves-

valuables on board are about to sail.

selg with vally a very alarming state of affairs- and the danger will in all probability incrense, un- less steps are taken at once to capture these des- peradoes. Wint is every body's business is no- body's," and this may be the feeling of those who ought to exert themselves at present. Ships of war are too large for the service of watching the haunts of, and rooting out, the desperate charac ters who are placing unnamed vessels in such jee. pardy. We would suggest that a few Gon-boats, or a small Steamer, be constantly employed cruis ing among the neighbouring islands and as far up the Canton river as the Bogue forts, always ready to pounce upon the pirates when firing is heard, But the question is, who pays the expence ? We fear, that in the menutiine, trading vessels will have to protect themselves, and we would advise them to have a bright look out and keep their powder day.

The Brig was wretchedly armed, and though some attempt was made at a defence, it was per. fectly hopeless.

Hydrographical remarks and positions by

Captain BELONER, H. M. Surveying ship SAMARANG.

The party then adjourned to the Drawing-room, Cape Rivers point is rocky with a long sandy where several Gentlemen and Ladies of the Mi-Bay, fronted by a coral ledge at low water litary and Civil community, who had been invited extending to its northern angle, both these for the evening, had already joined Mrs. D'Aguilar points fork from Rivers Peak, northerly a and Madame Lagrété.

low rocky Island connected by a coral flat with the Main between which and Cape or point Rivers the coast recedes, considerably. The Islets off this Cape are connected by a coral ledge nearly-dry at low water-within this and the Cape is a channel with from 18 to 20 fms., the coast running back into deep. retired Bays with two large villages. The two Islets off this Cape are very remarkable one being tufted with trees and perpendicular to seaward, the other about half its height, and white with the slime of sea birds, the laiter I have named Slime Island; for posi- tions see the following table.

The following day the minister and his Indy paid a visit to H. M. Ship Castor, where a dejeune was prepared in Captain Graham's usual style of profuse hospitality. We are told that the frank and generous bearing of this thorough Seaman and genuine British officer, quite won the hearts of His Stranger guests, and that Capt. Graham's liberality, kindness, and good humour have since formed the theme of their discourse on shore.

Singapore, a place but of yesterday, and they have abundant proofs that a colony which has no export within itself, and which has not a population to consume any amount of imports, must offer some advantage to the foreign merchant, erg he seek that particular port as a mart for the ex- change of commodities. The inducements of a port free of charges, duties, or exactions of any kind, has established St. Thomas and Singapore these advantages will yet establish Hongkong, and they would also have been the salvation of Macao, Many are the causes which have operated against Hongkong, but fortunately they are all re- moveable. Nominally a free port, and actually so in as much as we levy no dues upon shipping or duties upon goods, still point of fact to the trad- ing community of China the port is closed, or only open by permission of the Chinese Mandarins. Macao suffers from the cupidity of its rulers-On Monday the Ambassador and his lady proceed- Hongkong from the extraordinary infatuation of ed to visit Chuck-Choo in the Steamer Proserpine, the man who laid every possible restriction upon and in the evening dined on board the Cleopatra local commerce. These restrictions must not be lost sight of until they are removed--the conti- nuous falling of the water drop wille at into the surface of the hardest rock; it may be that, by its earnest resteration, our weak voice may have some influence in the removal of the shackles which are now placed upon the commercial prosperity of the colony.

The same evening Mousieur and Madame La grene dined with the Attorney General, by priority of engagement, whilst Admiral Cecille and a por. tion of the suite were entertained by the Honble Major Caine,

with Rear Admiral Cecille, who entertained on this occasion the Governor, Lieut-Governor, and a party of other Guests from the shore.

BORNEO-A rock nearly awash lies N. 11 E. 3 miles from Tanjong Sepang, The. rock marked awash or covered at high water, - to the southward of the Island of St. Picire 2 miles, is always above water, and vispla should not at night pass nearer then 4 miles. to those Islands without seeing that rock before dark, the passage between it and the Island is safe, no passage between the Islands. The reefs off Tanjong Apee extend about miles, and vessels passing would do well to keep a respectable distance. Merely making out the sandy beach from the deck. Vesseis wishing to water may anchor in a very con- venient berth in 6 or 8 fms., about north of the Cape, which is low land capped by a small Hummock a mile inland. The best landing is just to the southward of the northern reef or between them in the first

Yesterday morning the visitors took their depar-3 ture, with all the honors our limited garrisou could afford. A guard of honor consisting of the Grenn. dier Company 98th Regiment, with the band, re- ceived the guests on their leaving Mr. Davis house, and escorted them to the Commissariat yard, where a lane was formed by portions of the 98th Regiment and 4th Madras native Infantry.

We would recall to the recollection of our readers a circumstance which occurred shortly be fore the arrival of our present Governor. A depu- tation from the merchants of Chin-chew came to The Ambassador appeared to feel extremely Hongkong, to enquire upon what terms they and their countrymen could obtain land upon which these demonstrations of attention, and before leav- they might erect Hongs and seitle among us. Toing the wharf stepped forward and took leave of our local readers we need not say that, these men the Commanding Officers of Corps, Staff Officers,

and others assembled on the occasion. are the most enterprising of the inhabitants of China, and that their residence would to a certainty be the means of supporting, or form ing a considerable local trade."

It is How upwards

will be found that to the southward is very Bay where two ponds (continually filtering) pure and clear water,filtered from the other, which is much stained with leaves and decay- ed vegetable matter. The Samarang water- ed by hoses-trees adapted for spars or plank will be found a short distance in laud,

A Shoal is reported between the Acasta Rock and Victory Islande

PLACES

LAT. N.

LONG. E.

VAR.

The American Brig Hannah from Manila with a of six months since the strangers were here, but cargo of rice, was boarded by pirates near the

pt a Hong has been built, nor has one of them re- turned to the Island. Need we enquire why? On tais, as on every other occasion the commerce of the colony was neglected through some ridiculous prejudice, or foolish idea of the value of land. The settlement of these men.

men, we hesitate not to affirm, would have doubled the value of pro- perty-would ultimately have doubled the colonial revenue but they were treated coldly and left po- der the impression that they could not purchase land on fair and liberal terms. We have heard it stated that, one Gentleman connected with Govern- ment, objected to the Chin-chew merchants, be cause he feared they would require too much of this valuable island upon which to build their Hongs-this sapient Gentleman dreaded the arri val of from fifty to a hundred of them, they would require too much water frontage forsooth; but the greatest benefit that could be conferred on the co- lony would be to cover the water frontage from East point to West point, with the Hongs af res- pectable Chinese Merchants.

In our last paper we announced the arrival of Monsieur Lagréne the French Minister Flegi- potentiary with his Lady and suite.

We understand that this visit has been marked

Panagatan Samboangan Soloo W. Pt. Bay Sooladdie Samarang Island Unsang Cape Rivers Manado Tona Manado Obste. Banca SW 3rd Meyen Island Fo. Station Ternate Wt. Tang Pirato Island

11:50 56 N. 121 18 55 14 0 15 30 E. 6 54 55 5N. 122: 5 13 4 1 19 41 E. 16:3 11 4 1210-41 9033 38 E.

5 51 23 N 120.49 292 0.49 58 5 28 30 120 15 30 0:44:21 5 19 17 5 1119-15 37 40.53 10 1 20 24 120 45 16

(Signed)

1 30 48 7124 38 46

-1.46:24 1125 3 15 B

126:20 10 4214% 1-10 75126 20.30 044 8 N.127 14 32 - 0.22 42. 1127:31:37

0 5.22

724 1-0 48 13

Same Nearly

EDWARD BELCHER, Captain.