728708-1845-07-May-1845 — Page 2

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(From the China Mail, May 1st. 1845.)

Diplomatic Department. GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. His Excellency, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &e.. is pleased to give publicity, to the annexed Official Note from the Chinese High Commis. sioner, conjointly with the Governor of Canton, in reply to His Excellency's demand that the perpe- tration of the outrage on Mr. Vice-Consul Jackson and his two companions should be visited with duc pnuishment. The exclusion of British Subjects from the City of Canton, a most invidious and mischieous bar to amicable relations with the Chi nese, which His Excellency found still in existence on his arrival in China, has been duly represented; and he is determined (with the approval and sup. port of Her Majesty's Government) to pläre Can- in in this respect on a footing with the other four Ports.

By order,

ADAM W. ELMSLIE. Victoria, Hongkong, 25th April, 1845,

KEVING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c. &c. &c. HWANG, Lieutenant Governor of Kwangtung, &c. &c. &c.,-send the following answer;

We have made ourselves fully acquainted with the contents of a letter from you the Honourable Envoy, respecting the robbery committed upon game British Officers,

To settle this case, we had given orders to the local, military, and civil authorities, to despatch soldiers, who have now seized the villains Kwo-a- shun, Fang-a-kei, Chin-a-gan, Chang-a shing, Laona-yang and Chow-a-teem, six innumber. They also recovered a golden watch, one golden Chain, one seal, one silver pencil case, and one whip, which have been handed over by a deputed Officer to the Vice-Consul Jackson, who identified them as being the stolen articles, and received them back, which is on record.

The six villains that were apprehended have now stood their trial The two, Kw6-n-shun and Fang-a-kei, have confessed that they stole the gold watch and other articles. Laouayang and the other. three acknowledged that they had taken up stones and pelted (the English Officers,) and did by no mesna deny the fact."

The two accomplices in the robbery, Chin-a-kwei and Leatih, have not yet been taken, nor have wo found means for getting back the silver watch, and restoring the same." Such is the statement of the Pwan-yu Magistrale,

I the High Commissioner and I the Lieutenant- Governor perceive that the established laws of China award one hundred blows and banishment for three years to those who have robbed any ar- ticles. vo-a-shun, therefore, and Fan-a-kei, who robbed the watch and other things, will receive 100. blows, have their faces niurked, and be sent into banishment.

As for the others who engaged in the strife, but did not inflict any wounds, the established Chinese laws would merely punish them with 30 blows, But Laon-a yang and the others. three in number,. were violent, and added insult by throwing s'ones. Althongh not inflicting any wounds, still they acted very ruthlessly, and it would therefore be very improper only to beat them. We have therefore sentenced them to the more heavy punishment of receiving 80 blows, to be commuted into banisiert. We have moreover given very strict orders to apprehend with great severity Chin-a-kwei and the other, and to recover the silver watch which could As soon as Chin-a-kwei and the not yet be found. other are taken, and this case is fully arranged, we shall instantly issue a perspicuous proclamation, warning the people of Canton never again to com- mit themselves in this manner.

THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.

appear that the Duty on Earthenware is reduced to an ad valorem rate of five per cent, and the Duty on Piece Goods is provided to be paid at all the Ports on examination of the Articles, according to the practice at Canton,

By Order, ADAM W, ELMSLIE. Victoria, Hongkong, 26th April, 1845.

No. 22. To His Excellency, KEING, Imperial fligh Commissioner, &c. &c. &c.,

Victoria, Hongkong, 12th April, 1843.

I have the honour to state that Her Majesty's Consul at Amoy has addressed me on two subjects connected with the Tariff of Duties.

First. He informs me that the Duty of five mace per pecul, which is paid on China ware, whose value is sorát times equal to 200 Dollars per pecul, is also charged by the Hoppe on coarse Earthen-ware, whose value is scarcely 2 Dollars per pecul. The effect of this is, either to prevent the exportation of coarse Earthen ware, or to cause its being smuggled to avoid the Daty. I therefore propose to Your Excellency that coarse Earthen- "unenumerated wate, should be classed with articles," and pay a Duty of 5 per cent.

Secondly.The Consul states that the Duty on Piece-goods, and other articles, is paid when they are landed, and before they are examined. When these goods are afterwards sold, unpacked, and examined, it sometimes proves that a portion has been stolen, or that some are damaged. But the Hoppa objects to wake any allowance, on the ground that he has already closed his accounts

I therefore propose, that when goods on which Dury has been paid are found to be missing or damaged, the Government shroffs should incnish the merchant who paid the Duties with a certificate of the same, and that this should be received in payment of the same amount when the merchant is again called upon to pay Dutics on other articles imported by him. In this manner justice will be done, and the Government at the sains time not defrauded..

With sentiments of high consideration,

I have, &c.

J. F. DAVIS. ADAM AV. ELMSLIE.

(Signed)

True Copy,

KEYING, High Imperial Commissioner, &c. &e &c.-HWANG, Lieutenant-Governor of Kwangtung &ệ. &c. &c.,-send the following rep'y,

We received a letter from you, the Honourable Envoy, upon the duties on coarse China-ware and Picce goods, as represented by the Consul at Amoy, with which we have made ourselves fully acquainted,

Accordingly we addressed soine queries upon this subject to the Couton Maritime Custom-Hou- se, to ascertain how much was severally received and deducted from the Duties, in their office, upon those goods, requesting an answer for our information.

When we subsequently sent a detail respecting the rubbery committed on this British officers, the seizure of the criminals, and their punishment, to which they had been sentenced, we also allided

to this matter, as is on record,

Now we have received the reply from the Can ton Superintendent of Customs, stating, that according to the old law, all China-ware exported was divided into four classes, viz: Fine, Middling Coarse, and Ordinary, and the Duties levied ac cordingly.

Yet in the erectly established terilī no line of demarcation is drawn between coarse and fine, the pecul paying 5 mace, and the one article course China-ware not being specified. All items how, ever which might be proved to have been omitted (in the Tariff) are to pay on the valuation of the market price, five per cent Duty-

Respecting Piece-goods and similar articles we may state, that whenever any are importel, the Consul gives notice to the Custom-house. (The Captain) then breaks bulk, and the exantination commences. (The Importers) hire lighters, and proceed with them to the Provincial City, where our Clerks are directed to go to the Godowns, 10 open the bales and distinctly fix the amount of duty; after which (the Merchant) repairs to the Shroff and pays the Customs; but there is never any duty paid before the articles are exam nel. If any of the goods are found injured and damaged. by water, a deduction on the amount of duties is, after mature consideration, agreed upon. Such have been hither'o our proceedings which I request you to examine.

To

His Excellency, Her Britannic Majesty's Ple- nipotentiary, DAVIS, &c. &c. &c.

Taoukwang 25th year, 3rd month. F5th day, 21st April, 1845. Received 24th Inst.)

True Translation, (Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF,

Chinese Secretary.. (True Cópy, ADAM W. ELMSLIE..

NOTICE.

Neo advertisements, will he received, until 4 Clock, on the evenings previous to publi- ration, viz: Tuesdays and Fridays. ****

LATEST: DATES. Jan. Dec

ENGLAND UNITED STATES- CALCUTTA BONDAY

STONEY.

MADRAS EATATIA

Feb, 15.

Jang 15

Jan, 16

7 SINGAPORE April.

MANILA Mar CRUSAN April,

Mar. SHANGHAI Fan.cnow-700 Jany. A MOY

April,

རྟ་ 19

27

4. Jan. Feb. 12

G

TE FRIEND OF CHINA,

AND HONGKONG GAZETTE. VICTORIA, WEDNESDAY, MAY 7TH, 1815.

ain rates, which has the double effect of bene- fiting themselves and of injuring every man who owns a piece of land in the colony. In this instance, ignorance is bless-or rather profit→ but we trust, there is magnanimity enough among the members of government, to get the error rectified. It is evident, that in placing. a depreciated value upon the coins current in Hongkong, the parties making the calculation, have confused themselves with exchanges, and the fluctuating value of coin itself in different markets. They forgot that like every other commodity, foreign coin rises and falls in very market, according to supply and demand; they must also have forgotten that the expense of transit from one county to another is very great

from China to England including interest of money perhaps not less than eight per cent--- and that the true value of a forbign coin is not the price at which it can be purchased. In China, within the past ten years, dollars have ranged from 3s. Hd. to 5s. 6d.; at the minimum price they were shipped to England, where they would be laid down for about 4s. 3d. leaving the shipper a profit.

We hold, that in all transactions between the The Sultang has at length arrived with the December overland mail. The foreign re government and landholders, as well as those between governmert and the servants of go- sidents in China, have really very little cause. of gratitude to the Post, Master of Bombay, for vernment, where sterling money has to be pas his selection of vessels by which to forward with dollars or rupees, the fair and just way the China mails. The Mor arrived upwards of is to take these coins at their intrinsic value, two weeks ago with the January mail on board. ascertained by numerous assays, which accord- and at this particular season of the year, iting to the best and latest authorities are as would have been prudent to have left that for follows — December a month in Bombay, aud, forwarded it by her in preference to putting it on baord a heavy ship, who it must have been known would make a long passage.

II. M. Steam vessel Fixen sails for Singa- pore to-day,

The ships Orestes and Duke of Rarburgh arrived on the 4th with about five hundred | men of the 42nd M. N. I., under command of Licut, Col. Green. The detachment by the Orestes were landed yesterday; the Roxburgh proceeds to Chusan with those she has on board to-day. The Worcester and Diana with the other part of the regiment may be looked for daily; one of these ships. will also proceed to Chisan with her passengers-those by the other will be lauded in Hongkong.

We hear, that despatches have been re ceived from the Marquis of Tweeddale, which will render the immediate return of the skele ton of the 4th, scarcely a matter of choice with the Commander in chief of the forces in China

Co. Rupens. 18. 1id. 1

B

giving to £ 1 Rs. 9,12,,9-

100

21

• It

1. 31

94 28

100 4 35

100

Mex. Dollars 43. 4. 25

100

Spanish, 19. 3d 79 Admitting such to be the real value of the coin now in circulation in Hongkong-and we believe that the fact is undeniable at these rates they ought to be received and paid by the Colonial Treasurer, and the present rate, as we have shown, is unjust towards the landholders, the only apology for that injustice being, that which government take from them, they give to their own servants.

It is rumoured that a small quantity of British coin-20 or 30,000£-is on its way out, it being intended to put it into circulation. Such may be the case, but it will assuredly cause much. trouble and loss to those who receive it for dollars at the established rates. In England, - and in the large colonies, where the inhabi- lants are of English habits, British coins pass current at rates above their true value. Thus THE LOCAL CURRENCY.

1 shilling, intrinsically worth 1k. passes for The proclamation published in our last issue. 12 d., and twenty of these shiling, intrinsically declaring sterling money a legal tender and worth 19 s. 93. are readily taken for one putting a fixed serling value upon the variou pound; bat in China it will be different. A denominations of coin circulating in Hongkong. | already stated, coins are paid and received is one of little importance as regards mercantile by weight, and shillings, supposing them to operations in China, so far as is observable to be pure as dollars--will only pass current at As a financial ús. It is arranged, through the united wisdom their proportionate weight. of our rulers in Hongkong and our Gracions arrangement the one made is defective-even Queen in Council, that, in Hongkong, a dollar for the Hongkong governincnt, singularly de- shall be valued at 4s. 2d. a rupee at 15. 104. fective and has an air of quackery about it. and other coins in current circulation at certain which is not to be mistaken. The peculiar rates of sterling money. Where every traasac position of this colony, where our money tran- tion, from the purchase of a leg of mutton in sactions are with a people so different from the bazaar, to that of a bale, or a hindret bales ourselves as the Chinese, has been entirely of goods in the Godown, is made in dollars. overlooked, and money will be brought out and paid for in dollars, it matters not betwear which they will not receive at anything ap buyers and sellers whether these dollars have | proaching the rate at which it is circulated the nominal value of half a crown, or of seven ↑ by the government, and endless disputes and six-ponce. Accounts of every description with hopkeepers and small dealers will bo have been, and will continue to be kept in dol- lars and cents; and in all mercantile transac: tions silver coined and uncoined is paid and received by weight. This will of itself provent government from bringing a fictitious currency, into general circulation-and if the attempt is made, the beautiful coins bearing the im press of our Sovereign's head, will only eiren late weight for weight with old chopped dol- lers. The British mercantile transactions of China, amount annually in imports and exports, to upwards of sixty millions of dollars; the trans- actions in Hongkong are so very small that they are scarcely to be included in the trade of China. The seat of this enormous commerce is in the Empire of China itself; and it will scarcely enter the head of the most imaginative that, the depreciated circulating medium of Great Britain will ever be brought into circula- tion in that vast Empire, or that merchants will

all their actual transactions in another. We have heard that visionaries, (nen come to the full years of maturity,) have talked of such things, merely because a Chinaman was heard to admire a shilling with the Queens head and superscription.

the cousequence. We instance the half rupee; that coin 2 intrinsically more valuable that a shilling, and the Chinese will very soon ascer tain that such is the case, yet by the present scale the first is rated at iwelve and the latter at eleven pence!

With regard to going into t'e City, I the Great Minister distinctly stated to your Predecessor Pot tinger, that as soon as the trade was open, and every thing on beth sides quiet, there could be no reason for refusing or rejecting the proposal, whenever necessary, to enter the City, for holding a consulation, by joint consent. However up to the present year I have found it impossible for foreigners to go into the City, both from my conversation with the gentry, and an enquiry into the disposition of the people. I the Great Minis- ter, and I the Lieutenant-Governor, have repeate dly ordered the local Mandarins to use presursion yet the public is strongly opposed to it, and will not yield. Thus we the High Commissioner and Lieutenant-Governor cannot so easily grant this permission. There are moreover respecting this inany other particulars, which it is difficult to From the moment that I the High Commissioner

We the Greal Minister and Lieutenant-Governor, and I the Lieutenant-Clovernor transacted the being aware that coarse China-ware is omitted in Commercial Affairs of every nation, we have in the tariff, and that the Cinton Custom-house on all instances afforded protection, and strenuously this, as well as any other article, not specified (in endeavoured to uphold friendship and harmony. the tariff) levies 5 per cent on the markat price, Should we therefore refuse and prevent this single thing, viz: to enter into the City, not alone is God agree with the views entertained upon this subject | keep their accounts in one currency, and have case of a dealer giving his note of hand for a

cnnumerate.

our witness, that there exist difficulties in this inatter, but you the Honourable Enroy will also, as we hope, perceive the dilemma.

F

by you the Honourable Envoy.

E One can however not wait until goods me sold, and then open the bales and exam ne them, and finding that there are stolen and damaged articles, subtract any of the duties already paid; the more so as they were not opened and looked at, on the day when notice of their arrival had been convey. d Under such circumstances, we could have no standard for levying duties and for ascertaining the truth or falsehood, whether or not some of the goods were originally damaged or siden. Nor would there be any means for investigating the In the meanwhile, wishing you every happiness

matter, whilst such a proceeding would give rise to at the Spring season, we send this important docu-abuses, and is moreover beset with difficulties.

We also received an Official Note from you the Honourable Envoy respecting duties on Coarse China-ware and Piece-gouds, and the manner levying those duties on them at Amoy. Having addressed ourselves to the Superintendent of Mari- time Customs at Canton to investigate the matter, and report it impartially, we shall give you the result in our answer.

ment.

To

Though the depreciated sterling value which has been put on dollarsand rupees will not gene- rally influence our transactions as between man and man, they will inaterially affect payments made to the local government. We cannot for a moment suppose that, any member of that go- verament is so relaxed in principles, as to re- commend a measure, which when carried out, would give him his salary, nominally sterling money, in current money at a less rate than the

His Excellency, Her Britannic Majesty's nipotentiary, Davis, &c. &c. &c.

Taoukwang, 25th year, 3rd month, 12th day, ed, the duties will be reduced according to circumsco is really worth; or that he advocates or (18th April, 1845. Received 22nd last.)

True Translation, (Signed) CHARLES GUTZLAFF,

Chinese Secretary, True Copy,, ADAM W. ELMSLIE,

We ought therefore, to conform to the mode adopted by the Canton Custom-house, and fint Ple-examine the state of the goods, and then fix the

duties. When any are found injured and damag- tances, to show our sense of justice, save us the trouble of making deductions afterwards, and avoid giving causes for altercation.

Diplomatic Department, GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION, His Excellency Her Britannic Majesty's Pleni- potentiary, &c, &c., is pleased to give publicity to the subjoined correspondence between himself and the Chinese High Ocers, by which it will

Having now asked the Superintendent of the Canton Custom-house to write on this subject to the Governor-General of Fouchow, we ought also to communicate with you the Honourable Envoy, you may order the Amoy Consul to conform to the same rule,

that

We arail ourselves of this opportunity to wish you every happiness, and address this important document.

|

Another defect, and one which is capable of disastrous results to small traders with a limited capital, is the neglect to establish a relative value between those coins actually in circulation; they have each recoivod a fixed comparative, value to coins not even in the cu lony, but between each other there is no rela tive value. The old simple plan of 225 rupees being a tender in bazaar transactions for 100 Mexican dollars, which was found to work tolerably well, has been set aside, and as bet ween these coins (dollars and rupees) there is now no value whatever, nor is the one made a legal tender for the other. We may suppose the

certain sum in dollars; in the course of his trade he reseives a quantity of rupees, which are laid aside to meet the note at maturity; but when it becomes due, and he tenders the rupees at the old rate of 225 for 100$, the holder tells bim ni, rupees are no longer a legal tender for dollars, and dollars I must have. There is nothing improbable in this-indeed it is certain to happen-and those who have not a command of capital, will-bo much inconvenienced, and possibly, if they aro dealing with a grasping person, have to pay. away their rupees at less than their true value.

It is to be fioped, that this matter will receive the very serious consideration of His Excellecy and his advisers, and that until a further com munication has been made to Her Majesty's proposes a fictitious value being put on dollars Government, the proclamation establishing a in order that landholders, whose ground rent a new currency be held in suspense. The local noininally sterling should require to pay it in dol-currency established by Sir Henry Pottinger lars, they being rated much under their intrinsic was equitable and simple ;-quite sufficient for value. We say, we cannot believe that the all ordinary transactions, without interferring scheme was submitted to Her Majesty's Govern with those between merchants, who from the ment from such improper motives; we therefore nature of their business with the Chinese, and ascribe it solely to ignorance on the part of the the fluctuating demand for the coin and billion local government. They really did not know the they receive,are necessitated to put a mark table true value of these coins; but deeming it neces and not a fixed valne upoň money. sary to alter the old established values—which In this notable currency scheme, we have were nearly correct-they rashly proposed cert-another of the many instances, which show the