OF CHINA G GAZETTE. UR DAY FEBRUARY OTH II.
antol have written Capt.
which he despatched the
facto for the January jumi, when ood that the Corsair had put tain Talbox has at all time shown a will to protect the mercantile interests of his jolzymen in China, which contrasts favour ably with the behaviour of others; and on his roaching departure he will carry with him the good wishes of this community,
The Government has published an abstract of the Revenue and Expanditure for 1846. It wild appear that it is not convenient to into detalla, and therefore a revenue of £37,047 and an expenditure of £60,351 is comprised In twenty sums of from £19,845 to £12. In a way, the document is a curvaity, evidently intended to defeat criticam, by suppressing par ticulars. Last year the fisheries let for 178 dd,and it would be sa factory to known whether there is an increase in this item of the revenue, Last year there was entered under the head of * ordinary contingencies and special disburse ment" the sum of £9,524 ; & sum which could Do be defined or accounted for. The abstract for 1846 avoids all exposure by merely giving the grow expenditure of eseb department or by the shorter method of giving two in one, as Judicial and Police Departments" £10,305. These departments are perfectly apart; and as the inhabitants are assessed to pay the latter, it is only fair that they should be informed of its
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The abstract does not give a fair view of the fioances of the colony-the expenditure in- cludes the sum of £17,575 for public works; and this being an actual investiment made on account of our Royal Mistress in whom the fee simple of Hongkong is vested, it therefore can- not fairly be charged to the annual expenditure to be paid out of the colonial exchequer De- ducting this sam, we have the following re- sults:-
1846-Revenue, 1845-Resanne,
FIRST,
£ 27 047 22,242
Showing an increase of £4,805 in the revenue, which is so far satisfactory, did we not know that it was pressed from the life's blood of the colony.
SECOND.
1846.-Expenditure,
*C 42,776 1845.-Expenditure, -
39,926
Sizing an increase of £ 2,830 in the expenditure, It is not very clear in what the increase consists; one item of £744 is in the expences of the Revenue department. The cost of this establishment is nearly one-fourth of the entire revenue of the colony, or £8,614. THIRD, 1946.-Increase of Rerenao, £ 4,805
Increase of Expenditure,
2,880
Giving the sum of £1,935 in favour of the financies as compared with
1848.
FOLETH.
1846.-Expenditure,
Revenue,
£ 42,778 27,047
Giring an excess of £15,729 in the expenditure, which will have to be de- frayed by the home government,
+ FIFTH,
1845.-Expenditure,
£ 39.926 Revenue, .
22,242
Showing an excess of £17,684 in 1843, which would be paid by the house Go-
ven went.
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE,
the trade of the port would have increased, and of consequence, so would the revenue by a demand for building lots. But what are the factsf Our trade is in mercantile language, nainius), ~~and the land rents paid do not amount theTrade and Travels in the far East &c.--- early ses by some thousands of pound
By G. F. DAVIDSON.-London, 1848.
may
thought greater justice would be done, if I brought the woman to Hongkong, than by delivering her to the Macao authorities."
sally be said, that but for the introduction. of the monopoly system, the annual revenue from ground rents would not be short of £25,000, and the trade of the port would be very considerable.
Mr Hobert Montgomery Martin is no mean authority on such subjects; and his opinion is the more valuable that he has held a high off cial appointment in Hongkong. He sketches out a civil establishment, such as we require which will not cost over £12,000 a year: add to this £7,000 for police (the expense of the police in the convict city of Sydney, with a population of £10.000, of 50,000) and there is an annual expenditure The revenue for the past year was £27,000; so that with due economy, and at the same time with a more efficient Executive, according to Mr Martin's sketch, there would have been a surplus of £8,000.
...
Mr Martin may sail "too near the wind in the matter of salaries, though in the number of public servants-supposing them efficient he is liberal, it being notorious that at present mony of their pass a great part of the day in playing billiards and other amusements. If we add £8,000 to the estimate; the exponditure would be £25,000. By discontinuing the Opium mo- nopoly and all the petty licences, many of which barely pay the expense of collection, the rave- nue will be reduced to £22,000, leaving a defi- cit of £3.000, against the £15,000 of the past year, to be defrayed by the home government.
A LIBERAL GOVERNMENT.
We have made a few extracts from Mr.
Davidson's book fof which the Economist says that it is an interesting and really useful work") having reference to China, where for a short period he was a sojourner.
Масло на ви
po-
No one seems to
more filthy town than Macao. think that the streets were made for any other pur- pose that to serve as reservoirs for all the filth of the houses that line them. Hespe of abominable rubbish are seen here and there, which would still more numerons were it not for the orcas DRİ heavy rains which wash..down-the-steep street"," and carry off the wecumulated innses to the sen A few days before Christmas 1842, the town unde went a general sweeping, an event that did not take place again till that time twelvemonth. The other inhabitants of Macao are, Chinege, megross, and
English and Americans. The Chinese here a nearly all of the lower orders, sad, for the most part, are not overscrupulous how they get their living: in proof of which I may mention that four highway robberies, accompanied with violent sault, took place in the immediate neighbourh in open day, during the stay of six weeks whick roade there in the autumn of 1842
The sh keepers and boatmen are all Chinrae; and nero. them may be found some as thorough-bred seun drola mu ever disgraced humanity.
eyes
HONGKONG,
* A decisive proof of the eligibility of Hongiem an a place of trade, and of its importance in
of the Chinese themselves, is afforded by a immense sums paid by some of them for ground- which to build Hongs, where they can dopol their goods with safety, beyond the reach of the grasping Mandarins. This advantage to a Chi man is something so new, and so far beyond any thing he ever dreamed of enjoying, that I cancer the benefis likely to accrue from it to Hongko
to be incalculable.
"Goods stored in Canton or Macao, the proper, of a Chinaman, were never safe in the event of their owner getting into trouble with the Chines authorities; and, if the property of foreigners, they could not be insured against fire, the risk Brising from the universal carelessness of the Chinese, and the consequent very frequent occurrence of exten- sive conflagrations, being considered too great by the underwriters. Both there difficulties vre com-
The
The Author left this part of the world up wards of three years ago, and his views are those which were they entertained by thinking men--- many of whom, like himself, had seen much of the world. Now, however, the aspect of affairs has changed. Macao, was about being uban- doned by the foreign Merchants, and the fate which was predicted has fallen upon her, not withstanding a more liberal commercial policy which was four years too late of being intro duced, and which would probably be changed wore foreign Merchants again to Incate thomselves in the settlement," example of the results of hampering trade- of othcial chicanery-and of the cupidity of those who presided over her courts of justice. By custoni-house exactions, and the positive danger to intrust officials with the property of Strangers, a splendid traffic was checked; Merchants preferring to store a large portion of their imports on board ships moored beyond the limits of the port, to paying imposts, and running the risk of a total lose by plunder in the public stores. Equally injurious were the acts of injustice perpetrated in the courts. An improvement has taken place; but those who could have enriched her are gone, and it questionable whether she will recover the posi- In justice to the local government, and particular. tion she has lost-certainly she will never have ly to Sir John Davis, we cannot allow any occur at her disposal the chances she has thrown rence to pacs unnoted that can if the slightest away. Her port deserted of ships; her ware-pletely obviated in Hongkofig, and every subsian. degree add a lustre to the brilliant reputation they houses of goods; and, her once crowded pro- tially built house and warehouse, together with the have already achieved-the particulars of the menade, of any but her native populace, with property in them, were insured against fire, previ- following case have just be handed to us, and occasionally a foreign invalid, are undeniable ously to my quitting the island. One Chinuman being so well calculated to inspire that respect and evidences of the effects of mal-administration.
had, in March last, completed buildings for the regard for the constituted authorities, which it is at least their policy to secure, we are bound to record son's expectations that she has retrograded
That Hongkong has not realised Mr. David-storage of property collected from the different ports on the const, on which upwards of 40,000 dollura them-Our readers will recollect the circumstances since he was engaged in commerce in the colony
had been laid out, and what is more, they were connected with the apprehension of the man Chun-ig also to be ascribed to the commercial
already well filled. tert-song who was lately executed for has par liey of the Government, aided, it is true, by the ticipation in the piracy of the Privateer-they will remember that the girl Assi wae traced to a village the natives by their severities, and,it is to be fear notorious injustice of the police, who alarmed 100 miles inland from Macao, and brought to Hongkong, by a European sailor, William Kel. ed in too many instances, destroyed every favor burne, in despite of every attendant risk of life able opinion of our laws by their extortions, and that from information received from the woman Were Mr Davidson to return to Hongkong he in the course of her examination in the Police Court, would find all changed. An inspection of the he commenced a search for the only man amongst sale books of his friends would show that tradeis the pirates whose identity she could swear to, and not a fourth of what it was--that by the most whose description he was the only person that res old fashioned commercial policy, the germ of cognized, and in about three weeks tracked him what would have been an extensive traffic bas out, and caused his apprehension he attended the nearly been destroyed. The Chinese, to whom prisonery first examination in the Police Court, and he refers, have left long ago. Many English filing it was postponed with the view of securing Merchants have followed their example, the evidence of the two Manilamen the only sur vivors of the crew of the un-tunate vessel, he pro
and the place, as a commercial colony, is a found, who had shipped reeds to Whampoa in search of them-one only he complete failure. Its natural capabilities can-
on board the Coquelle, no
not be denied, and a more liberal Executive the point of sailing for Shanghai, having received may, it is to be hoped, at no distant day draw his customary advance of wages, which he induces them forth, or at least give the place five years him to return, and to accompany him to Hong. to prove them, before it is attempted to burden kong-at the second examination, the evidence of, it with a heavy revenue. the Manilum in is received (Kelburne acting as In terprete and the prisoner being committed for ial, position of the foreig. Residents
Canton has also undergone a change. The he is bound over to appear as a witness-it will also respect worse. Our former Envoy to China be remembered that pending the trial, attempts were (Sir Henry Pottinger) was feared as well mado by some of the accused's friends, by offers of a respected by officials, and therefore the money, to get the girl carried off the Island, which people were more civil. The present Envoy were discovered by Kelburne, and reported to the (Sir John Davis) has allowed himself to be Magistrates, and she was properly secured.
Now that the prisoner was committed for trial, cajoled out of Chusan before Canton was thinking himself entitled to reward, as well as up be opened in terms of the treaty, and now we have reimbursed for the expenses he had incurred (be the evident prejudice be entertains towards his nu check over the wily Asiatics. Add to this, had been acting auder the supposition that $500 re- ward had been offered) Kelburne applies to the Co-Countrymen, and the injustice with which they lonial Secretary, who satisfied him that it was the
are treated in disputes with Chinese(all of which intention of the Governor to grant a handsome re-
is known to their Authorities), and it is not a ward should the prisoner be convicted. After the matter of surprise, that a lawless population conviction, be again called on the Colonial Secreta-have become more insolent, and that fewer ry, and being much abuse for his audacity, was told to call in two or three days, and he would
restraints are put upon them. receive $50!! Munificent indeed-and whether viewed in relation to the crime, or as a gratuity to individual merit, forms a fair standard by which to judge of the magnanimity and unbounded liber. Kelburne did not call to re. letter to the Colonial Secretary, urging his claim for ceive the 608, but on the 18th January, addressed a a more liberal reward-stating that his expenses, including those of the other men who accompanied him, and for which he was responsible, were, not less than $250-to his letter no reply was sect until the 2nd instant, and not before he had called atten- tion to it in a note written on the 30th ukimo, when he was requested to call at the Colonial Office, and again offered $50-which he told the arrogant of ficial he could not accept. In support of hla claim to handsome reward, Kelburne gives the following
The general rule that, colonies be required to defray the expenses of the civil establish- ment, is not an unjust one; though in the forma tion of new settlements, it must be in a great degree pet aside for a time. It is presuoted that colonies are established for national purality of our rulers poses, and it may reasonably be asked that, un- til their resources are developed, the nation defray the expenses, or at least such a portion of them as cannot be drawn with safety from young state ruggling into existence. These remarks are peculiarly applicable to Hongkong-an island colonised not solely for the protection of an old established commerce, from which Great Britain drew a large portion of her revenge, but also that it might be instru- mental in increasing that commerce, and in adding to the national prosperity by finding
the
new markets for the consumption of manufac tures, pon a reads vent for which so much de-
pends
If however the British Government are de termined to continue their present illiberal po we say in all fairness give us such a civil can pay for, without to abandon the Island
able and oppres 215572 of ground
a
Blaternent :-
J
MADAO
in every
trade, in my opinion, quite legitimate as and bond "As a convenient and safe depot for opium (a
Hongkong is admirably situated the purchaser urable us that in brandy, ein, and other spirits), from the western ports, as well as from the north- eastern, finds the distance he has to travel me.. derate, and, on his arrival, has no one to dread, no manda in during to
to show his luce on shore. ships that bring the drug from India here find a safe and commodious harbour, where they can u load their cargoes in open day, without hinderence or molestation, and where they are not driven b the necessity of carrying on their operations in the dark. Were the opien trade actually one of mere denin it, and to raise my voice against those co- smuggling. I would be as ready us any one to co
cerned in it; but when one considers that nut a really smuggled that ninety-nine chests out of hundredth part of the quantity sold annually is
every hundred pay a heavy duty (miscalled a brilie)
that the Chinese government derives from it in directly, but not the less certainly, a very consider able revenue and finally that large quantities of it are known to be consunied within the walls of the imperial paince at Pekin-1 confer I see no reason for the clamorous indignation with which this traffic has of late been assailed by European moralista."
CANTON.
"Of the immense city itself, the home of a million of souls, what account can a traveller
give, who
about that part of it which I have seen. Th by fureigners ? has seen little more of it than the portion inhabited I must say a few words, however,
"I begin with the foreign factarios. These buildings stretch along the left bank of the river about three quarters of a mile (or, rather, they did so, for one-half of them have recently been destroy." ed by fire), and extend back about two hundred yarda. They are large, substantially built, and comfortable houses; but those situated behind the front row, must be (indeed I know they are) oppres sively hot residences in the summer season.
The “Since the war with China broke out, Macao, space betweent the factories and the river is re which had grantly declined from its ancient impor- served for a promenade, where foreigners may take tance, has thriven, and many of its citizens have to China being thrown by circumstances into its evening, may be seen Englishmen, Americana, become wealthy in consequence of the British trade but a limited space, it is invaluable. Here, in the a little recreation after their day's work. Although
harbour. The local government have taken ad- Frenchmen, Spaniards, Dutchmen, Portuguese, vantage of the times, to improve the town, to re- pare the streets, to build a new and handsome gus- evening breeze, and talking over the affairs of the Parsees, Moslem, and Hindoos; all enjoying the tom house, and to make other improvenienta at day or the news brought by the Inst overland mail, John Bull's expense. of Macao amount to about five thousand, not two equare, gaping with noisy wonder at the strangers The Portuguese inhabitants while a crowd of Chiness, coolies surround the hundred of whom are of pure European blood. attired in all the costumes of Europe and Asia. The general population are, with a few exceptions, The streets principally resorted to by foreigners of a mongrel breed a mixture of Chinese, Portuare, China street (old and new) and Carpenter's guese, and Negroes, which it is difficult to des- square. In the former, a very choice collection of Ninetenths of them are very poor, but all Chinese articles may be purchased, either io the as very proud, and fond of show and dress way of curiosities or of valuable merchandise. In
cribe.
"When undertook the capture of the woman Ani. / Puuite amusing to see the pompous strut of the Carpenter's square, the new-comer may it himself
I held a stituation of 820 per month, I was accum to be responsible for. I have expended 8250 in the panied by another man whose expenses I engaged prosecution of my plans; including the dable I have contracted was three weeks in search of the woman, and about the sametime before I caused the apprehension of Chun-teen song. Independent of the rusko which I exposed my life, I had to pay money down to each of the China who accompanied botises me to the village from which t
an foram pow proscribed by the whole g been theres with regard to
induced to leave hu abi (816), he not only look
It is
†
made silk coals, with gold headed sticks in hand. or, if in search of furniture, he may here, in half men on a Sunday, as they walk to mass in their out with everlasting trunks, dresing-casses, &c. Both men and women are the worst favoured race an hour, furnish his house with well-made, subs I ever saw their flet, unmeaning countenance,tential articles The houses in these streets are small, lacklustre eyes, strong, upright, black hair, all of two storeys, with very narrow frontage, resembling hogs bristles more than aught else, and ground being valuable. A large quantity of tim yellow skins, from a tout ensemble any thing but ber is used in their construction, which renders pleasing. The men erkek
men adopted the Europeon fashion. The Indies wear thei
any chance fire in this city so very destructive. poorer cleases wear a petticoat and small Jackel, those I have seen not exceeding six or seven feet manilla and the women of The street in Canton are all ver
very narrow, most of of British chiniz, with a mattills of coarser in width; the two Chins streets are probably twelve ery poorest of them ran De teen feet wide. The city does not cover half the space ming going to mass ib mik stock wealthier Portugues, reside in large
which a European one with the same population would do. Its streets, from their want of breadib. always appear and indeed always are crowded; and the unwary passenger is very liable to get knocked down by some heavily laden porter running against him, if he does not kean a sharp look dul. Lika Macos, it is infested, with loathsome beggars, who are, if possible, still more clamorous in their de mands for charity than those of that place. Here,
but the lower ord
from That
ng the winter and spring peoplin - just a filth of the w olation: - T'heu habila an
are Lath not a wire, indeed, of ever having seen
Pork idle and
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