SUPPLEMENT OF THE FRIEND OF CHINA No. 69
or that they would be placed in a more un favorable situation, than parties similarly cir cumstanced in other British Colonies,
Large sums were consequently expended in the erection of Dwellings and Warehouses in the New Town of Victoria, to an extent, which would have rendered it injurious to all, and ruinous to many, to be compelled to abandon their property; and it was not until the early part of 1843, that it was notified: "That H. M. Government did not see fit to recognise sales or Grants of land, that had been made by or ander any Authority whatsoever, up to the period of the exchange of the ratification of the Treaty of Nankin."
Bat as H. M. Government must have been well aware, that the Colonists had acted with perfect reliance on the good faith and justice of their Government, this order was so for qualifi- ed, that on 23rd August 1843 it was notified:
"That an Enquiry should be instituted into the Equitable claims of all holders of land to a confirmation either permanent or temporary of their Titles, so far as they could be con- *firmed consistently with a just regard to the
interests of Society at large."
In the early part of 1844 we were, for the first time, made acquainted with the terms on which the Crown Lands were to be held, and Sir Henry Pottinger, then Governor of the Island, published the forms of the Leases required to be executed.
3)
The conditions of these Leases were univers-" ally considered so unusual, and so certain in their operation to be ultimately injurious, not only to the holders of Land, but to the future welfare of the Colony, that we were compell ed to protest most solemnly against them in a correspondence with the Governor, dated in March 1844, from which correspondence we beg to subjoin the following extract:
"We may be allowed to point out to Y. E, that an adherence on the part of Government to the proposed terms of Lease would be even **tually the means of placing those, who first "commenced improving their property in Hongkong, and who from the sums already ex- pended cannot withdraw from the occupation of "their Buildings without ruinous loss, on most unfavorable terms, compared with others, who "have the option of resorting to places where land can be bought, or rented, on much more moderate conditions; and we submit, that it can never be the wish or intention of H. M. Government to place the early occupants of "Land in such a position.”
No redress has however been granted; and disregarding the future prosperity of the Settle- ment, in the desire to raise a comparatively large temporary revenue, the Local Govern ment has persisted in forcing unusually hard conditions on the Land holders, who had been led into a large expenditure of money, owing to their faith in the promises, under which the Land was originally sold; (promises, which were at any rate tacitly acknowledged by the Govern ment, and not repudiated until after the lapse of 3 years); while at the same time it is no exaggeration to state, that had the existing re- gulations been promulgated before, instead of after the outlay of their funds, not one British Merchant would have been found willing to become a resident in the Colony.
We have deemed it necessary and due to our selves, to enter thus at length into some account of the formation of the Colony and its progress hitherto, with the view of shewing: First, the nature of the inducements under which we were led to abandon our Residences at Macao and Canton, where both House rent and Taxation are very light; which we may illustrate by the fact, that the Ground rent alone of musi of the eligible sites in Hongkong is (without including rent or interest of money) a heavier charge, than all payments, rent inclusive, required of the Tenants of Houses in Macao;
And Secondly To prove that the very onerous terms, on which we have been compelled to occupy our property in Hongkong, have been forced on us, not only against our urgent re- monstrances, as a question of justice and equity, but in opposition to what we have always con- sidered and represented to be the true interest of the Colony.
Since the enforcement of these Leases, the measures of the existing Government of the Is- land have still further aggravated the evils under which we have been suffering, by making in a place, nominally declared to be a free Port, every description of commerce and Trade a Subject of Taxation, or source of revenue, or of Monopoly sold to the highest Bidders, thus driving away, instead of encouraging Trade in an infant Settlement: and lastly we have now to complain of the promulgation of an ordinance, which we submit to be unconstitutional and illegal, empowering Government Assessors arbi- trarily to value all Household Property, with the view of raising a new tax, ostensibly for pay- ment of a Police force, there being no Munici pal Body of any kind in the Colony to determine whether such tax be necessary, or equitably levied and appropriated.
The result of the System actually in opera- tion for the last two years; commencing with the proceedings in Land Sales and Leases un-
massan
-
5 80 to 1.80 to
} 2-40 to
Sandalwood, Malabar Timor,&3.8, Isl. Saltpetre. WOOLLENS,
Spanish Stripes Long Ells, scarlet
Resident, except Government Officers, and be consulting the best interests of the establish- Pepper those British Merchants and Traders who comment in making immediate public declaration of Rice, cargo quality menced Building before the enforcement of the my purpose to move Her Majesty's Government Rattans, Barjer Leases; there are no Chinese Merchants, or either to pass the lands in fee simple for one or even Shop keepers, with any pretension to pro- two years purchase at the late rates, or to charge perty; there is neither an unport or export them in future with no more than a nominal quit - Trade of any kind; and as will be seen by the rent, if that tenure continues to obtain. public papers, even now, when many private Dwellings are temporarily occupied by the Civil and Military Officers of Government, pending the completion of the Public Buildings, several Houses have been untenanted for months past; and the value of all property is daily on the decrease.
It is necessary to bear in mind, that the Trade of this part of China has long been accustomed to flow through other Channels, that the Island of Hongkong has no natural productions, or consumers of imports, beyond the mere wants of the Colonists themselves, and is even depen dent for its daily supply of food on the main land; and that a place so circumstanced, es- pecially in a Country like China, proverbially averse to sudden change, can only be expected very gradually to acquire a Trade by facilities and encouragement instead of being subject to ceaseless and heavy taxation, charges, from which places in its vicinity are moreover ex• empt.
We trust therefore, we shall not be deemed présumptuous in submitting to H. M. Govern- ment our urgent entreaty, that they will be pleased to direct the abolition of the Opium Farm, Auction Duties, and other harrassing Taxation recently imposed, which have already bad the effect of deterring many Chinese from settling in the place, and driven away several, who were already established, and been in fact utterly destructive of our incipient Trade. this. be not conceded, many of the European Residents will also be compelled to quit a place totally without Commerce, but more heavily taxed, in Ground rents alone, than any other part of China, and remove to those Ports where the, Trade is actually carried on, abandoning properties on which many have expended their whole fortunes.
If
We further venture to suggest that the system' adopted in other colonies may reasonably be extended to this distant settlement; and that it is hoped Government will be pleased to au thorise the formation of a Municipal Body, vested with the usual power of deciding on the appropriation of the monies raised for Local purposes.
We cannot in conclusion refrain from urging, that such a settlement as Hongkong was never actually required by the British Merchants; and that it has become even less so since the opening of the five Chinese Ports, where the Fo reign Residents are free from all taxation, and where the rent of Land and Houses is generally very moderate.
We submit therefore, that it will be found as inexpedient in principle, as under existing cir cumstances we consider it would be unjust in practice, to call on the Civil part of the Com- munity for any large proportion of the expences of a Colony which is held rather as a Military and Naval Station, giving Great Britain the Command of these Seas, and as the Residence of a few Merchants, occupied an extending Bri-- tish Commerce along the Coast of China, and keeping up an active correspondence with the rest of the World, than a place which under any circumstances can be expected to possess an extensive Trade, or afford any considerable revenue towards the payment of its own ex- pences.
..
We have the honor to be,
MY LORD,
Your Lordship's most obedient
and humble Servants, Jardine, Matheson & Co. Dent & Co.
Macvicar & Co. Fox, Rawson & Co. Turner & Co. Lindsay & Co.
Gibb, Livingston & Co. Jamieson, How & Co. W. & T. Gemmell & Co. Fletcher & Co.
per. pro. Murrow & Co..
Chas, W. Murray. R. Oswald & Co. Thos. Ripley & Co. Dirom, Gray & Co. Holliday. Wise & Co. Robt. Strachau. John Carr. Hughesdon & Co. George R. Barton M. D. N. Duus. Burd, Lange & Co. John Cairns. Henry Holgate. M. Ford & Co.
L. Just, Sen:
1. Just, Jun:
D. Lapraik.
J. D. Porter.
Goo: Duddell.
J. Palmer.
Chas. W. Bowra, Saml: Joo: Cooke.
der the admine The Test Governer, and VICTORIA, 13th August, 1545, chatinued by soy fingertat, arrangements of his
emplified in the pre-
My own object respecting the disposal of lands pending the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government, was to secure to firms and all other persons (British or foreigners) having per- manent interests in the Country, sufficient space for their necessities, at moderate rates, with as little competition as might enable parties to ac- commodate themselves according to theis ro- spective wants; I feel assured upon attentive reflection that steady adherence to this rule will be found most conductive to the well understood interests of the establishment, and to the fair claims of persons upon the spot; parties falling within the description I have specified, not yet supplied with lots, will soon be in a situation to accommodate themselves.
May I request you, Gentlemen, to circulaté this letter.
I have the honor to be Your most obedient humble Servant, (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT.
Chief Superintendent, Charged with
the Government of Hongkong.
Messrs JARDINE, MATHESON & Co. and DENT & Co.
To
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
MANILA.
well assorted Camlets, English
* Dutch Medium Cloth Ladies **
5. 0 to
4 ·0 to 4 25 to
.
1 0 to 8 50 to #30 to
0 0 doi =2
do.
3.10 do.
13 0 do.
7 0
do. 6 0 do,
10per yard
0 Oper piece
8 40 do.
20 0 do..
18
0 to 29 0 to
30 0 do.
180 to 2 5 per yard. 1°20'to 1:30 do.
WOOLLENS -Camblets still unsalenhle, 2,000 to 2,500 pieces long ells have been placed at 7-75 to 3.50 for assorted colours. The sale of 500 pieces of Spanish stripes. and Habits cloths is also mentioned at for the former 90 ct. to 1.10 per Yard and for the latter & I-15 to & 1.25,
EXPORTS.—ON BOARD.
Alum Auniseed Camphor
J
Cassia
**
REMARKS ON THE MARKET. COTTON GOODS.-We have had a continued Gale of Wind and heavy rains all the week, and no business has been done in any description of Im-- ports that we are aware of.
EXPORTS.
SUGAR-Few transactions, holders being firm in not admitting less than 841 p. pl. of current quality. HEMP No arrivals on account of the weather. Last sale at 834 per pl. unscrewed.
No demand.
Rice. Our quotations nominal. SEGARS.-About 500 boxes of 1000 delivered from the Factory during the week. The applica tions were for more than double that quantity.
SAPANWOOD. Without alteration at our quota-
tions.
EXCHANGE ON ENGLAND —Abundani, Treasury, Bank, and Private Bills-The latter at 6 ms, have
been sold at 4-4-
TONNAGE-Some has arrived, more is expected from, China, and the demand likely to be fully supplied.
**
EXCHANGE.
On Spain 3 months par few buyers.
London Treasury and Bank bills 30 day ds.
4-2 st sales.
Ditto private ditto 6 ms. 4.4. China 30 days par few buyers. On Hong- kong 1 a 2 per cent discount. Few buyers. Singapore 30 days 2n 3 per cent discount.
CURRENT FREIGHTS
12
For London Sugar, £ 5 per ton of 20 cwts, Nominal.
Continent" Coffee, Hemp,
**
Hides,
} "18"
T2
& 10
J
*.5 5
50..
77 6 5
Cassia, "0 0 Coconut oil," 0 0 Sapan wood," 6 10 Singapore per 1000+
segars 14 to 2 rs.
**50 cubic feet.
" ton of 20 win.
box of
"50 feet.
picul.
"ton of 20 cwla.
Pecul of weight là to 3 rs China 20 a 25 cents of a dollar p. pl. on Rice and Paddy.
CHARGES OF INSURANES.
++
11
England
3# 3
11
The U. States 21 a 3 .. Singapore.
S
- 1
To Spain on goods 3 a 34 p§ & 24a3 p3 on cash or cup.
Chins
I al
ditto do. do. ditto .. 2 a 24
ditto do to 9 a 24
dina 4.
,, Sydney .. --- 24
2 LATET DATE.
London 7th May, via Sing. Sing. 20th July, per Orion:t. Batavia 18th Jane, via Sing. China July 23, p. F Spaight. The UStates Apl. 9. p. Montauk Sydney Jane 24, p. Amelia.
(Manila Price Current, August 2.)
CANTON PRICES CURRENT. 6TH AUGUST, 1815. IMPORTS.Dory PAID.
Ale (best brands)
Amber
Betel Nut Canvas-Eng, and
Scotch Cochineal Copper, sheathing
9.16 0 to $18 0 per hhd
10. 50 to 11
O per catty
4. 30 to
0
0 per picul
8 0 to
9 .0 per bol.
. 112 0 to
24
0 0 perpicul
0 to
0
o do.
5.Am. Cordage, European COTTON, Bombay,
20 ◊ to
d 0 do.
8
0 to
9 0
do.
sh. ps. Ta. New
0
0 to
7 0
do.
Madras
6 4 to
0
do.
Bengal
K
7 ta 0 0 do.
Bombay enator is rather declining in eonsequence of the lage importations, Best quoted at Tis, 6-9 per picul Sales bunited
COTTON GOODS. White Shirtings,
2 50 to dieto - 2.60 to Ter market continues inactiva,
Grey
3 10
3 10per piece
do.
Yaro, Nos. 1621 28 0 to 27 50per pical
No. 18 a 32 990 to 99 0 do. Nov. 33 & 42 32 0 to 33 0 do. Chintz Farníure -
$ 175 to 2 Oper picul
10 0 to 0 0 do.
0 do.
16
̈0 to
22
10
0 to
11 0 do
17 0 to
18 0
do.
2 50 to
3 0 do.
Buds CASSIAExhorbitant prices asked. No transactions. China Roots Galangal Musk
Rhubarb
SILK.
Tsatlee
2. 40 to
989
0 0 do.
*
00- 0 to. 0
30 0 10
60
Oper catty 0 per picul
450
0 to 470
0
do.
Taysaam
350
0 to 385
1.
do.
Canton
280 0 to 350 0 do.
Nothing reported. Held at high rates,
TEA.
.
13
0 to 23 0 do,
0 to. 0 0 do.
13
0 to
20
0
do.
}
26.
0 to
30 0 do.
fine scented -
0
0 to
0
0 do..
Twankay Hyson
0
0 to
0 0 do.
43
o to
55 0
0 0 to
0 0 do.
12
0 to 22 0
do.
40
0 to 50 0 do.
“
Congou Caper Souchong old Orange Pekoe, New
Young Hyson Hyson Skin Gunpowder Imperial
దొ ఉంటే
do.
37 0 to 47 0· do.
TRA-About 80 Chops of the new Congous have been. purchased-In old teas nothing doing-Orange Pokne, of a common quality has been settled for to the extent of 1,300 chests at from 19 to 20 tacls. In Green teas there are no
purchases reported, except some Cantoni inade Gunpowder, Imperial and Young llyson.
TEA EXPORT July 1st @ 1st, 1845
2,006,736 Congou. Souchong
253,057 Exper
38,080
Orango Pekoo
87.256.
Sorts
49,983-Black 3,332,116
·
Twankay.
143,943
Hyson -
10,491
146,691
$3,197
ル
Total
Young Hyson
Gunpowder
Imperial
18,051-Green 372.976
3,705,976 lbs.
In Vessels viz --
Duilius, Amiga, Hesperus, Competitor,. Helen Stewart, Emerald Isle, James Turcan, Dorisana,"
COTTON REPORT. Canton, July 1st to 31st, 1845.
'Twist Bales Bombay Bales,
Bengal do. Madras do. American do.
Total,
Ship Sulimany included.
Deliveries. Stock..
690 1.834 23.800 33.522
1:233 1.631
7.023 14.475
1.559
935
33.621 50.503.
ORIENTAL BANK.
EXCHANGE.
Bar:3.-Qu London at 6 months siglt.............. is 38 per Sp. Dollars.
30 days' night.............. 41
day's night sixed or
on demand.
do.
do.
4
sta.
do.
The National Bank of Scotland
dc. tid.
da,
andits Branches at 3 days' sight & The Branches of the Provinciai
Bank of Ireland at 1 day's sight a Inprax.-On Calcutta at On days' sight............ Rs. 297 per Sp. Dolls. Ind.
30 days' night.... ard do. Madras at sight....... Bombay at Gü daya" wight..
30 days' sight. 3 daya' night. Colombo at 6e daye' night... • LOCAL.-On Canton 24 30 da, night,
* 3 de,sight..
du.
+224 lov
Life
D
*[<F
40.
26 do,
(0%
., 225
d.
da
"
123
dlo,
per cent promilur
per cent premium
و البته
Meron D. & M. Rustomjee & Co, are authorised to grant Dells at
Canton payable in Herigkong without Charge, Bulctor.-Mexican Dollars received at 100 per šp. Dolls, 071.
EI Company's Bapers at 203"
Speen....
yo,
at per Cent, premists. INTEREST.
་
ALLOWED,-On Deposit at 5 months Notice 1 per Cent pre Anturite do 3 months Natien 3 Chamnen.-Un Loansand Cash Credit Accounts
Do.
Security of Bullion or Goveruncat paper!!
On Loo and Cash Credit Accounts
other Security........
#
Discous-On Leeal Bills under 2 monthis
On Current Accounts..
ra
ردان
4 munthe 911, COMMISSION,
· å por Cent. On effecting lovestments or other of special Agency å per cent. 3. D.--Current Accommta of which thin annoat. Turn-over osernda 60,989 Dellars, are subject either to smaller. comunianisa, or no cuuAAUS- sion if a proportionate Deposit generally ternains in the agcoent.
PRICES OF BULLION.
Sycee Silver, large, & per cent, premium. Spanish Dollars, Ferdinand, par
Carolus, 10) per cent. Republican dito, 3 to 4 per cent, discount.
EXCHANGE.
Bills on London at 6 months sight, 49..3d. per "Spe
Dollar: Treasury closed..
Navy Bills, 4. 21. to 42. 3. per Mexican dollars. 20 to 3 50per piece Court of Directors accepted Bills, 225
per 100 Spanish Dollars"
FREIGHTS.
10 0 10 18 50per picnt To London or Liverpool, & 4 per ton of 30 feet,
To Amoy, 6 per ton of 40 feet.
To porta north of Amoy, 7 @ $8
Ships Loading, or about to koad at Whampoa for
METALS. Tio, Banca
Straits
15 50 10 14 0 do.
Iros, Nail
Hoop #3 Par Steel
2 20 to
2.90
do.
2 60 to
2 TO
do.
2.30 to
do.
0 0 to
5.50
da.
Hope,
Win Miebell,
ISLAND.
Macao, 7th June, 1941.
Tin plates Lead Pig Quicksifter
4 80 to
5 Oper cicul
Ecobert,
Mauritium,
. 120 0 to
Wm. Shaad,
For Export.
0 Oper chan
0
鼗 da.
COPY..
of property, the SALE OF LANDS ON HONGKONG
ing to the heavy
ad impediments
entire want of
of the Foreign
Chinese them. GENTLEMES,
better coarse
HAVING had under my consideration the after 4 years particulars of the first sales of lots in Hongkong one foreign on the 14th Instant, I am of opinion that I shall
7 50 0:0 0 per box
OPIUM Patna, eta, 730 0 13 Becares, cew, 710 0 to Malwa,new good 700 8 to
* Turkey • 530 0 20
0 0 do.
0 Oper picul Ne jepivezzant we price; the demand äzred.
Mary Bannatyne,
Great Britain.
Livingston,
Challenger,
Jovephine,
Bahagian,
City of Derry,
Esteal, Printed and Fublished by Jonn WakE, At The Friend of China and Hongkong Gazette, Printing Ofice, Qress's ROAD, VECTOSES, HOFOĽaNO, 1645,
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