Page:The Friend of China and Hongkong Gazette (vol 3, no 197).pdf/3

Rh being occupied by Blacksmiths, who there carry on their trade, to the annoyance of neighbours, and the great danger of property. Some sage friend replies, "true but these are government doings." Of course they are government doings; but is there one set of laws in Hongkong for Gentlemen connected with the local government, and another set for those who have not the honour? We think not, and trust such also will be the opinion of His Honour the Chief Justice.

But X may be mistaken, the whole affair is probably a stupid hoax. It was but the other day that some evil disposed youth (for such jokes can only proceed formfrom [sic] extreme youth combined with extreme folly) took the liberty of killing a respectable Shipmaster through the medium of our paper, at the same time committing a forgery, by sending a letter bearing a signature not his own. The notice sent to X, must surely be the production of some equally promising youth as the one we have referred to, and we trust should such be the case, every means will be used which may tend to his discovery and punishment.

As this is Christmas time, however, it is just possible, that some one who has been pertaking largely of the gaities of the season, may in a moment of extreme excitement have applied to the Magistrate for an inderdict upon those who lay down bricks for such a purpose as the building a house.

The approach of the Chinese new year will remind our readers of the necessity for an additional degree of watchfulness to protect their property from the attacks of bands of robbers from the mainland, or from the equally dangerous characters who are settled among us. However imminent the danger may still be, it is much less than last winter, when scarcely a night passed without outrages being committed, and when the inhabitants may literally be said to have been in a constant state of preparation for the attack of the mid-night robber. We may congratulate ourselves upon the improvement, but we must also remember that the danger exist though in a less degree than formerly. The vigilance of the police, but the more especially the establishing of a night police has been the principal cause of the comparative safety which we now enjoy, and we trust when the registration system is fully carried out, many of the worthless native inhabitants will be driven from the island.

Every step which the colony makes in advance is satisfactory, whether it be in commerce, in public works, in institutions or in the moral condition of the inhabitants, and however melancholy may be our present condition in some respects, it must candidly be admitted that in others most important changes have taken place. It is to be feared however that in protecting property in the colony from the aggression of robberies, we are increasing the danger of navigating the surrounding waters, the desperadoes who no longer can follow their calling on land, seeking a fresh field for their atrocities by water, where it appears the boasted Mistress of seas cannot follow them.

If the Merchants of China complain of the neglect of their interests by those who are employed to protect them, their complaints are not groundless. The British, and the British Indian commerce with China, pours directly and indirectly not less than seven millions sterling into to the national exchequer, it employs upwards of 100,000 tons of shipping with 25,000 seamen, and further requires the services of thousands of the manufacturing classes in England and Scotland. Such an important source of national-greatness, would, it might be supposed, be guarded with that maternal solicitude which every government is supposed to bestow upon its commerce. But such, alas is not the case with the trade of China. It has been cramped through the pride and ignorance of diplomatists, and now it is left to the assaults of pirates, Upwards of one hundred and seventy British vessels enter the port of Canton yearly with valuable cargoes, and an equal member depart, giving an average of one ship daily having ingress or egress with that river. The river and estuary be now be said to swarm with pirates, but ships continue to pass to and fro, without the slightest protection further than that afforded by their own crews and guns, nor are we yet aware that any means are to be adopted for protecting British life and property, or for vindicating the honour of the British flag. We do not at present intend to enter fully into this subject, but would simply remark that, if the Merchants of China make complaints, they unfortunately have too much cause for doing so.

It is pleasing to mark the advance of the colony, and the present is an appropriate season for intimating to our readers at a distance that, in two essential particulars, Hongkong has taken a decided step—we allude to the establishment of a night police, and the various public improvements now in progress. Much of our present security from robbery, may fairly be ascribed to the services of the former, and we are satisfied that every member of our community will acknowledge that in this instance the Executive has exercised care the important powers with which it is intrusted. The benefits to be to be derived from the latter are no less important—property has become enhanced in value—there is more personal convenience in passing from the town to another—and what  sequence, next summer we may probably predict that, there will be less.

In other respects the year that away without seeing  establishing a Supreme Court is an  colonial history, and will not be overlooked in that of Hongkong; and we may say without risk of being accused of flattery that, the official changes which have taken place, are with a trifling exception, such as will yet tend towards the establishing of Hongkong on a firm basis.

Much—very much—yet requires to be done, before the colony arrives at that degree of prosperity, for which she is destined; and ere another year is gone, we trust to see an open Legislative Council, having an equal number of official, and non-official members, calmly deliberating upon the measures which are required to break the shackles which have been placed upon our commerce; and not occupying their attention in devising measures to coerce the inhabitants, or to give greater power to the Executive than it is the pleasure of our gracious Sovereign to bestow upon it.

Of a Proclamation issued by the Imperial Commissioner and Governor General Ke, and the Governor Ching, and the Superintendent of customs Wan, on the 11th November, 1844, to levy the tonnage and Tariff duties at Macao.

These officers some time ago reported to His Imperial Majesty that it is not necessary to prohibit the merchants of the various nations, who are inclined to do so, from resorting to Macao for trade, to rent houses or to store goods, that those who are not inclined to go there may suit their own convenience, and that as to the Regulations respecting tonnage dues and duties, these may all be settled according to the new Tariff.

They have now received the Imperial Rescript in answer, which after saying that the barbarians of Macao have dwell a long time in China and have heretofore been considered reverent and obedient goes on to state that as the Governor General and his Colleagues find that no abuses will flow from allowing the merchantmen of all nations to repair to Macao for trade "the alterations required by the change of circumstances may be carried into effect in the manner agreed upon."

The above officers have therefore commanded the Portuguese Wei-le-to to act in obedience thereto, besides which fearing the merchants from afar have not yet been sufficiently acquainted with this, they now reverently transcribe the Imperial Commands and perspicuously notify for the full information of the merchants of all countries, that if, they wish to repair to Macao to trade, rent houses, or store goods they may altogether suit their own convenience and do so, and that as to the regulations respecting tonnage dues and duties, those which have been agreed on are in all respects to be acted upon.

For Whampoa, Foam and Challenger.

Passengers per Isabella Anna Messrs. Johnson, Goddard and Miles, Mr. and Mrs. Bluett 2 children, and D. Wright.

H. M. Ships Agincourt, Iris, Wolf; Troop Ship Sapphirs; H. E. C. Steamer Medusa; Ships Hellas, Gem, Wm. Hughes, Lady Adams, Lynx. Snipe. Vanguard. The Alligator and Poppy daily expected from Woosung.

.—Nov. 23rd America, (Am.) from Van Dieman's Land in 60 days; 27th Samarang, Capt. Sir Edward Belcher, from Borneo in 24 days.

.—Nov. 23rd, Fortunado, (Sp.) Shanghai; Nov. 25th Zafiro, (Sp.) for Cadiz; Vanguard, for Hongkong, also the French frigate Alcemene; 26th Osprey, for Van Dieman's Land; Correo, (Sp.). for Hongkong, Cahota, for Macao; 29th Fanny Connel, for Amoy.

H. M. S. Castor, Capt. Graham.

H. C. Str. Proserpine, Com. Hough.

Miaden, Master Commanding, Wellington, Hospital and Store Ship.

H. M. F. S. Syrene, 50, Capt. Chamier.

H. M. F. S. Victorieuse, 20, Com, Guisielle.

H. M. F. S. Sabine, 36.

HE fine A 1, ship HINDOSTAN 700 tons Capt. Bowen will leave Whampoa for London within 3 weeks from this date. For Passage apply to

DENT & Co., or Capt. BOWEN on board.

28th Dec., 1844.

HE A 1, first sailing Bark ADEN, Capt. Ring, having the greater part of her homeward cargo engaged will have quick despatch for Liverpool.

For Freight apply to

DENT & Co.

28th Dec. 1844.

HE Clipper schooner ISLAND QUEEN will be despatched about the 10th January from Macao.

For Freight apply to

DENT & Co, Canton, Macao or Hongkong

26th. Dec, 1844.

Memorandum—Treasure or Silk will be conveyed from Canton or Hongkong to Macao free of charge.

HE KELPIE will have despatch. For Freight apply to

MAC & Co.

H. Franklyn will offer for Public Sale on Monday evening next the 30th inst. at 7 in Chinam's House the following—

A small Anchor & Chains, one Dining Table Rosewood sidebarde, sofas, Almirahs, Book cases, Chairs Tables, Bronze hanging-lamp. patent do., A small but valuable collection of Books. Crockery glass, Knives & Forks, Cloth caps, Children do Hats and a variety of other articles.

Terms of sale as per printed hand-bills.

N Monday next the 30th Instant, at 11 o'clock,, at the Godown of Messrs, FLETCHER LARKINS, & Co., on account of whom it may concern, about 150 Bags Saltpetre, more or less damaged by Sea Water.

☞ TERMS OF SALE:—Cash in Dollars, before the Lots are delivered and all Lots to be cleared before 4 o'clock, the same day.

c'EWEN & Co. beg to announce, that on the evening of Monday next, the 30th instant, they will put up to public Sale, at their Auction Room, Queen's Road, a quantity English Standard publications with a variety of elegant Engravings recently received from England.

The Books &c, will be seen at the Sale Room during Monday, where printed Catalogues will be furnished.

The Sale will commence at six o'clock precisely.

☞ Terms——Cash on delivery.

Victoria, 27th Dec., 1844.