ONCOURSION
solemniy
on for nister at
commer
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZET TE.
DOMESTIC HISTORY,
It is seldom that there has been more difference of opinion on a plain question of fact than has pre valled as to the result of the late harvest. By some It has been described as extremely abandant; by others as extremely defective. The froth seems to be, that in regard to quantity the yield of all kinds of grain has been an average, but that the quality is somewhat inferior to that of ordinary years. This much is certain, that though a very trifling amount of foreign corn has been admitted, our markets bave been well supplied. It would seem, too, that the stack-yards of our farmers still look well, and give the promise of well holding out on till the next harvest. Green crops of all kinds have been abundant. In one species only of agri- cultural produce has there been a deficiency-the potato. The Silure of the potato crop when al leged as a ground for corn-law repeal can be viewed only as a pretence, and as a very flimsy one besides The average price of core has not throughout the year risen to 80s, per quarter. At that price, though comparatively high, it is certain that the people of this kingdom have been abundantly sup- plied and amply fed
The new directasy f
INDIA.
The event tha
A new possdesion will have been forced on Enge land this year. The Punjab, tho richest and st fertile district of Fisdostan, after being long distan ed by intestine revolution, has thrown its dessure soldiery on the British frontier. Sure the ward of Heera Singh on the 18th of December last, a the subsequent revolution, it has become upgarest that so authority existed at Lahore to restraint the reckless spitit of the Bikh troops. has actually occured has long been foressen; and, since the commencement of the year, the Governor General bas concentrated a powerful force on the frontiers of Labore, and has lately proceeded it ther in person; but he carefully refrained from my set of hostility, and merely kept his troops asem. The Sikh chivi bled as a guard against invasion. attributed this moderation to fear. They assemald their followers, and invailed the British territory
A baille ensued, in which they were tout. mp4. ed, and the Governor General has now formally annexed the Punjab to the British empire.
The acquisition is of priceless value, and is thrown int our hands. We must take it, or be liable to con. stant invasion.
bourhood of some great manumactory was purchas-was made to the Vatican, but appeals to the Vath (of the people had fallen. ed, and on this field a number of cottages were ra- can of late in Ireland carry out the adage, that "nationality" was towards midight marter w
cause it has maintained with frightful microate ca each on equal in Vale to 40% rental, *when men ast advice they ought to say approval,"
While, however, the frisk pen. Operatives were encouraged to buy thest, by a part The party whom the Pope favours obey him trici. spoed ever since. of the purchase-money being advanced on mortly, the others immediately discover that in temporal santry were thus employed, and while then gage The League had unlimited command of matters he has no authority. Pressed by the vio-tors were engaged in discussing waginary f hered to be fan la funds and strahy management they were enabled lenco of the althers of his brethren, the Romish anees, it pleased leven to afflict the exintry put great nihesions to the to put vaders on the roll of countries by hundreds Primate published a rescript from the Propaganda, the most awin: of clamities-a blight on 1 41 Its necings still con a thousands. Mr Cobden, at a meeting at Man: dated 15th of October, 1814, cursing the clergy and on which the people chiefly depend far caligine ten radical assemblies, many chester, bonated that in this way
ay the League had bishops (non nomine etiam episcoporum) for not Like all Irish events, this was greatly exalp red have met as willingipte. made cerinin countries as safe ao pocket boroughs abstaining from secular affairs, and fostering poli- at first; but whether for its own awful charactition is orators wore, as from This scandalous abuse of the representative prin- tical prejudices." The bull also approved of the the moasares adopted under pretence of it, if I collon spinner, a singri
elple in with hs rebuke, and no attention from Charitable Bequests Act. Bat, so far from pro. potato rus will make 1815 memorable. The Goverom cat. preacher widi au oc
The League was suffered to ducing obedience, it only extorted further adbusions In the mouth of March last proceed as it liked, It was playing Sir Robert to the Repeal Association by the Roman Cetholic was held at Manchester, when Poel's own game, and he now welcomee it as his bishops; and some of the agitators warned the Holy See to beware that the ary of No Popery did vag inchionted by more than one. most efficient and able ally.
not soon come from the opposite side in Ireland" AL Gogoral other meetings similar
In the meantime the agitation was on the decrease vered, and a proposs) warmly hasing up of freeholds, so as
The slate prosecutions had stopped the monster ency throughout the kingdom
meetings, and the spirit of the peasantry was sink. return a democruc 1Parliament
ing from hope deferred. The principal object of ne by which Mr Pright, the Quaker, anticipat.
attention was a club called the 782 Club," founded should be able to roll the aristocracy in
to catch brainless young men fond of tawdry uni. the dust. Their principal project for adding to
forms; and the duties of which were to consist of $100,000 fond, and at the same time drawing
annual balls and dinners, at which later they were nontion to their proceedings, wee, however,
to drink to the Independence of Ireland." Bat, The formation of a bazaar, to be held in Carrot
as the agitation wened, agrarian disturbances were rden Theatre, for the exhibition of English
renewed. While Mr O'Connell was daily promis. makunctures this exhibitation, after an infinity
ing the people "repeal in three months." they were of preliminary announcement, was opened on the
contented to leave the landlords alive till the power 6th of May. It consisted of stalls of articles sup.
of general battue was obtained; but, when this plied by different towns and cities, and presided
vision began to disappear, they betook themselves over by lie free trade ladies of those localities; but
again to the fierce practice of bloodshed. By the instead of an exbibition of English art, as as was
end of January the Irish papers were again filled proposed to make it, the bazaar consisted chiefly of
with accounts of outrage throughout the south and articles marked at exorbitant prices, but such as
west. An attempt of the Government to obtain were exhibited in the tradesmen's windows of the
valuable information on the state of the country, by metropolla. A great part of it als was made op
issuing a commission of inquiry (the chairman of of those mondescript commodities which seem to
which was the Earl of Devou), formed the princi- have been originally designed solely for the stalls
pal subject of attack and derision at Conciliation- hall at the beginning of the year. The Queen's of fancy bazaars, as they are never seen in any other position. The expenses of this bazaar, viz,
speech at the opening of the Parliament made a fitting up the theatre, paying doorkeepers, and
reference to Irish education, which was foilowed printing, were afterwards ses down in the accounts remarkable features of the vent. When railways by proposals to make a grant of £26,000 a year to of the legue at the enormous sun of £5,712 18s. were first commenced in this country they were the Popish College of Maynooth, and to found in ad. 11 When Mr Villiers's annual motion came regarded with great suspicion, and capital to com- Ireland three provincial colleges, with an income before the House in June, Sir Robert Peel was as plete even the most advantageous lines was found of £0,000 a year, each being £2,000 per annum firmly on posed as ever to the doctrines of the Anti with great difficulty. But during the last few years' more than is paid to the University of London. Corn-law League. He declared that he would give the weekly returns of traffic published, all showing These proposals were, after much discussion, and the motion is decided opposition," on the ground a marked increase in the receipts, have made on a great exhibition of political faithlessness, carried. of its prejudicial effect on Ireland and on the culo impression on the public mind, and held out a pros- The Irish Romanists accepted the Maynooth grant, nies, and in the course of his speech used these pect of large and certain returns. Speculation, stating, in the words of Mr O'Connell, that they arords Social and moral relaticus between land- which advanced rapidly, but still with some disore. would take all they could get, and hurra for repeat" ford and tenant have grown up under the corn-law tion and steadiness, in 1842-44, took a wild and opposition was raised to the colleges similar to which it is impossible to overlook." After this on eccentric direction in 1845. To check it, the Lethat to the Bequests Bill. This opposition looked Wednesday, the 18th of June, an aggregate inect.gislature enacted that, before petitios for bills at first exceedingly formidable, and the Premier at ing of the League was held, at which Mr Cobden could be presented to Purliament, ten per cont, on tempted to pay it in his usual annner. He appoint threatened that the corn-laws would be repealed the estimated capital should be lodged with the ed a Popish parish priest, of to literary erineace Awith Palace-yard filled with famisking thousands" Accountant General. This provision had an en- er public reputation, to the presidency of the Gal. which language taken in conjunction with threats tirely opposite effect to that intended Companies way College. The suit was as usual. The priest of turning out the hands in autumn, was very signicht themselves authorised to raise ten per cent. og 3 Mently assailed, and the opposition still con. ficant. At several elections the Beagad was peen their capital at once, besides the trifting sabach tied. The aorthern college, sicnated at Belfast, was larly unfortunate, In July, on the death of the ions allowed by the Juntstock Ack, thus a intended principally for the education of the people Attorney General, General Brings Longues, con- greater temptation was 25 to the cupidity of of the Church of Scotland in Ulster. Since the tested Excter against Sir Julie Duckworth, but promoters, silairs, arveyors, agents, and all passing, however, of the Disunters Chapels Bills, was beaten by a considerable majority. This was othes dressed in getting the thea a fost Shortly to secure the Sounions in the chapels of the orthodox speedily followed by the dection for Cambridge, or Parliament had caused its sittings milway Presbyterians, which they had seized, the General the 18th of the same mouth, where bir Shaft schemes were brought forward by hundreds. Every Assembly of the Presbyterians had locked with Adair appsed Sir Fiteroy Kellynewly approject, however win, visionary, or knavish, had jealousy on all the Ministerial mensures and the without success. crowds of applicants eager for its scrip. Radway Belfast College promises to be us great a failure as The most signal defens however, was that of Co-enterprise was as to be confined to Englait that of Galway. Outrage continued to increase, Sunderland, on the 13th of was to circle die globe. As there was no Salcet and the efforts of Mr Steele to " pacity" are in
ke carlain. | to secure to each promuter a right in his line from variably followed by an increase of murders.
fosible scheme was no penetrated even to the northern province, where a olly
pointed Solicitor-General,
AU
Ay 01
on the
RAILWAY ENTERPRISE has been one of the most
Bright Bonyeza w and every esertion had been made, Effect; for Mr George Hudson, the railway specu lator, was returned by a large majority. In the there were 1,203 schemes projected, whose united" meantime the Longue was pursuing the plan of capitals announced to 203.1100,000. The most sin harassing the Conservative electors by polices of gului feature of this gigardie speculation, was, that, objection to the registration, issued by wholesale, while every one perécised its hollowness, every without reference to the truth of any such objec- one seened boot on taking part in it, and no suoner tions, and usually signed by wordless persons, ob was a project naneunerd than its scrip was sager
incl to do so for a small amount of money. Aily rough, and pushed up to a premium. the Warwickshire session it appeared that a Le The total amount now vested with the Accoun. ague agent had paid to a person named Worthing-ut-Genzzul, on account of deposits, is estimated ton a sum of money in considers tion of his signing £14,000,000 or 15,000,000; a prodigious sum, such notices, and the wretched old man, being un- though not half that which it was at one time sup able to get through the work, employed a neigh pored could be placed in his bands bour to assist him, and then vore in court that The Cuoc during the year has had it trials, they were all in his own handwriting. Such were But, wherever congregations have resultely resist some of the smaller incidents of the great scheneed the introduction of obnoxious novelties, they of the Anti-Corn law Losgue. The principal re have never failed in effecting their removal. I maining incident of the League's history for the has been most unfortunate for the church, that at a years is the determination adopted to raise a fund time when she most needed the caro of rigorous £250.000. This fund was proposed to be raised on authority, she has been most destitute of ita ead. For theeze of an expected general Election, and of its in years past it has been perfectly apparent, that the tended purpose there can be very little doubt, It whole of tractarian teaching and observance was appeare
by the League accounts, that they had towards Ross during the year as many as thirty raised, since the commencement, £122,508 1s, clergymen of the Church of England have chosen and had in hand, at the end of the year, only £19, to discard the obligation of their vows, and to go 093 11s. Id Of the new fand, 200,000 was pro
over to Popony. mised in one day in Manchester, on an agreement that only twenty per cent, would be immediately celled for In the strange and sudden Ministerial changes, the Longue declared in their journal that they would support Lord John Russell's Ministry only on the ground of a total repent of the corn- Jaws When Sir R. Peel's scheme was announced, the Leagoo denounced it as likely to make two panics; but they have now resolved, notwithstand ing all previous pledges to support the Premier's
ComproshiSCE
It only remains that we speak of the exertions
IRELAND.
The past year has exhibited Irish polilies, if not in a new aspect, at least in one which they have not assumed for a lengthened period. The efforts of the Legislature have been something like those which it used in the time of Charles 11 wards that country. They have consisted of practical conciliaton, or what has been called with more truth than elegance, the petting of Popery and have been received by the people moob in the sume spirit as such measures were received at the time
to which we refor.
agne to swamp the county consti
, they Tuvided gland and The commencement of 1845 finds the repeal ag ectoral districts, and appoint-ation giving way to minor questions of ecclesias
to superintend their re-tical principle. The splendid phantom of Mr each of those districts. Sheil al pot so much alleation as the working of verdeements in all the dif. a Charitable Bequesis Bill The Romish dignita- all persons who ries who had accepted the affice of commissioners call at the League for the distribution of such endowments at the faith
esp advertisements ↑ ful might leave for what the English lead
ed superstition uses," were naskiledi with great violence those who unders offence and those who did not were D Jen and a schism was imminent arr Paplats
HPE
ALIEY!
08 each;
Avere
Moorhouse computed the latt
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1
new Cantain Paci “
FOREIGN POWERS.
Our relations with the United States have as. smed a serious aspect during the past year.
2 tb accession of Mr Polk and his party to office has been signalised by a profession of hostility to this country, which not all the prudence of the Brinsi Government may be sufficient to prevent breaking forth in some act of untrage The year began with a passage of a bill through the flouse of Represen tatis lur establishing the government of the Unit ed Stairs in the Oregon terrors, on the pretence of affording to the States settlers the benefit and protection of the laws of their country. This measure was carried by 110 to 50. It was hum warmly debated in the Senate, but did not past that session. In the Senate there was a Conservative jority; and, when the bill for the annexation of Texas came before it in March, the niensure was rejected by 27 to 25. On the 4th of March Mr Polk examenced at presidential over-sug sage was extremely urrugast, and he expressed his determination not to surrender or compromise the
clear and unquestionable right" of the States an the territory in dispute. On the mossage reaching this country it excited great attention, and Lord John Russell brought the subject inforo Parliament; Sir R. Peck, with great framess, declared that fing- and would maintain her territorial rights. The question of auvaxtkin with Texas which had lau- guished pravivas to the presidney of Mr Pulk som received a new insguise from his democratic vigour. A bill for the nnexation was under his auspires brought into the Representatives, rupally pasend by a large majority, and the sent to the Senate. This time it was not rejected. It passed the Senate by a majority of two, and with great celerity was soun carried into practical operation. The question of the Oregon stands now in exactly the same positione as that of Texan vexation awelvemonth back. The Representatives are ready to pass the most violent resolutions for at once seizing the territory. The Seanto, less reckless, holds for the monent the ruthless spirit of the more popular branch of the Legislature in check by a majority of one or two.
FRANCE has been advancing during the year in erary element of material prosperity. Her revenue and trade continue to increase, but the surplus in- come is year by year more than swallowed up by the additions made to the military and civil servico of the country. In: ADGIsus the war, after a lull, has broken out with greater intensity than before. The massacre of the Dabra caves-the most hor- rible act recorded in the annals of civilization-has been promptly followed by a general rising of the Arab tribes, and the reappearance of the forinidable Abd-el-Kader. On the 16th of September he cut .2 squadron of French cavalry to pieces, riding over and sabreing them almost to a man; and this ex- ploit was followed by others of an equally daring and successful character. The ardy has bec largely increased: Marshal Bugeaud is with it in person; yet the insurrection still spreads.
prential abuse of the Minister formed the occupation of the repcal party. The act for suppressing Orange processions not having been renewed by the Xhinister, the Orangemen of the north, according to ancient custom, assembled: in some districts on the 12th of July, to comme morate the victory of Aughrim. In all districts but one in which processions took place they went off in peace. In the cy of Armagh, however, the Roman Catholics assembled in large numbers, to intercept certain Orange lodges on their return at night, and a collision ensued, in which one man lost his life. I fully appeared from the evidence that the Roman Catholic party were the aggressors. Notwithstanding, however, that the Government had thought right to abandon the Processions Act, and therefore legalize proccesions, they, by a cer certain obliquity which has characterised all their actions, chose to punish, by what is at the best an extreme exercise of the prerogative, those who at. tended those ceremonials. Commodore Wason, gentleman of property in the county of Down, was dismissed the commission of the peace for at- (ending a procession, his presence at which was a RUBIA has been equally unfortunate in her war great cause of its peaceable progress and conclu with the Circassions. Gen. Worouzow commen- sion. Several gentlemen of great rank and high cod the campaign by calling on the rebels" to sub- character resigned their commissions, in consequnce moit, and by explaining to thers the hopelessness of of this foolish and zaprincipled act of the Govern resistance.
He finished it by a patreat, after some ment, which then, becoming frightened, allowed the sanguinary conflicts, in which he lost 10.000 men. Marquis of Downshire and others to express sym- The Emperor has been travelling with his usqal pathy with Mr Watson, and approve of his conduc: rapidity over the Continent. Italy has seen the without question. Several dinners were given by spectacle of the Empress of the largest empire of the Orangemen in Belfast, Lisburn, and elsewhere, the globe languishing in health, and seeking in in honour of those who were dismissed, or had re change of air and scene that health which is richly signed, and the feeling of disgust with, and hostili. afforded to the peasut girls who crowd to see bui, ty to, the Government, on the part of the Irish Pro. and regard with pity her wasted form. teelants, was completed, Baron Heytesbury, the
Spain presents a singular apperance at the Lord Lieutenant, sektom interforred openly la pub. present moment. lic affairs. He held few levées, and these (the test tion is submitted to the vigorous authority of s
After years of licence, the an of the unpopularity of a Minister) were ill attended. successful soldier, who give it a new sousoutien Mr O'Connell in aurumo retired to Darryngue, and and new laws at plonsure, and seems to be estabint- a rare spectacle was exibited in Ireland of agitationing the structure of Government on s sold basis. by the Protestants. A great meeting, presided over Spain is reconciled to the Pops, and only wants the by Lord George Loftus, took place in August in marriage of her Queen to settle down luto a state
Thirty years have now elapsed since the GENER LI
Of
glorious troth that they are made prosperous and
a field near Enniskillen, at which the Protestant of perfect repose.
estry, clergy, and yoomanry, to the number of coat 65,000, protested against the pro Popery procediturope, and yet there seems to prese of the Government. The Ministry were tye disturbance. Nations have profited by the roused by this meeting in a faint resistance, which to instead of intentating. Cap. die highest rank of
Sally es des die missed from the fo September in general? Biswal decided born by
October st The enthus
Got by the conquess of was, but by the bours of industry, the progress of the arts and sciences that evilize mankind, and by the peaceful
boura that bless and enrich them.
Edited, Printed and Published by Jon CARF, At The Friend of China and Honghong Classic, Printing Ofice, Gown STxEET; VICTORIA, HUNSKONG, 1840,
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