STATEMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
REGARDING
HONG KONG.
ADDRESSED TO
THE HON. FRANCIS SCOTT, M.P.
London :
PRINTED BY BLADES AND EAST, ABCHURCH LANE ,
KING WILLIAM STREET .
1850 .
PUBLISHED BY TRELAWNEY SAUNDERS , 6, CHARING CROSS ;
AND
SOTHERAN, SON, & DRAPER, 50, LOMBARD STREET.
PREFACE .
The contents of the following pages have been supplied by
gentlemen who are, and who have all long been, residents
in Hong Kong, and from their positionfully competent to
judge of the condition and requirements of the Colony.
Some objection may possibly be raised in consequence of no
names being given ; they have been withheld for reasons
obvious to all who have ever resided in a small community
circumstanced as is Hong Kong.
For the satisfaction of anyperson interested in this subject,
the letters may be inspected on application to the Printers.
The publication of these " Statements "" appears particu
larly opportune at this moment, when Financial and Colonial
questions are so closely interwoven, and deservedly attract
so large a share of public attention.
H
TIS
BRI
STATEMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
REGARDING HONG KONG.
Hong Kong, April 23, 1850.
MY DEAR SIR,
In my hurried letter of last month, I promised
to expound my views about Hong Kong more fully by this
mail . But to do this would now be in a great measure super
fluous ; for, having in the interim conversed separately with
several of the most intelligent residents, fully competent
and entitled to offer their opinion on the subject, I find
that though we have differed widely on other important
questions, here in the main we coincide. Having ob
tained their views in writing, I very willingly submit
them, instead of troubling you much farther with my own,
on the points indicated rather than explained in my former
letter.
Memorials and Petitions frequently express the sentiments
of a few only of those who sign them ; and sometimes,
through mutual concessions, of none, insomuch that indi
viduals would hesitate to maintain respectively views which
4
as a body they seem to hold. Under this persuasion,
I was desirous of obtaining the individual opinions of the
gentlemen applied to, without their consulting together,
or one being shewn what another had written .
You will observe, they all concur in considering the
present Establishments of Hong Kong as being upon a
much larger and more expensive scale than is either neces
sary or advantageous, and the revenues of the Colony
amply sufficient for governing it beneficially. Farther,
they agree with me,, that the laws are either unsuitable, or
administered so as neither to be a terror to evil-doers,
nor a praise and glory to those who do, or desire to
do, well. None except the last in order takes more than a
passing glance at a subject which all would admit to be of
the greatest importance, namely, the causes which restrain
or drive away native trade, the only description likely to
flourish here, and how far these would be removable under
a different system . Government, ignorantly and uninten
tionally no doubt, has throughout adhered to a course
which deters rather than encourages native traders ;; and
there are instances so numerous and striking, of respect
able Chinese, who came here to traffic, having, through
the mistakes of Government, and the blind and blundering
5
administration of the laws, narrowly escaped the fate of
felons, that there is cause to fear many innocent men have
been condemned for want of some one to counsel or direct
them .
As regards the remedies, I go further than any ofthegentle-
men whose opinions I now transmit to you. At home I was
ever accounted a Tory, and, as you know , gave the Tories my
best support ; but here I suspect I am a little, aye , a good
slice of a Radical. But on the present occasion I am told
that to insist on very sweeping measures would be to risk
the great but still partial advantages which are here advo
cated, and which , as they propose to rid Parliament of a
pecuniary burden, cannot fail to be favourably considered,
especially if backed by the Colonial Reform Society. But
even were the greatest of the proposed modifications adopted,
we should still be as much hampered as before by Downing
street, where official statements and explanations would
alone be received or listened to. Except for the patronage
it would retain or the abuses it would foster, there is no
occasion for an Imperial Government at all in Hong Kong,
and we should get on much better without it. If the home
Government will relieve us of the grievous establishments
imposed on us without asking our leave, and continued in
spite of our remonstrances, leaving us to govern ourselves,
6
we shall not only pay our own way, but perhaps greatly
augment the prosperity of the place, or rather, I should
say, we shall redeem it from its present abject condition .
But before such a change can be looked for with any con
fidence, the people at home must be disabused of the false
impression, as pointed out by one of my authorities,,
that, by keeping up a large civil establishment at Hong
Kong, British trade and influence with China are fostered,
or that there is any virtue in combining in the same person
the duties of Governor with those of Plenipotentiary and
Superintendent of that trade with China. On the contrary,
I am persuaded the arrangement is calculated to lower
the British representative in the estimation of the Chinese,
from finding him not only resident at, but almost exclu
sively occupied with, the affairs of this paltry and barren
island, which the Chinese would consign to the care of a
very petty Mandarin, of the rank of Police Inspector. If,
however, it be indispensable to maintain something Impe
rial, that would be amply secured by the troops and ships
of -war, which must always make Hong Kong their head
quarters in China . It is for the sake of the general trade
and of British influence in China, not in Hong Kong, that
these forces are kept up. The facilities afforded by such a
settlement ought to compensate for any protection it re
7
ceives, for I would apprehend no great or peculiar danger
were the troops entirely withdrawn .
A municipal body, with a proper legal adviser, would,
I think, make better, or at least more suitable, laws and
regulations than the existing Imperial ” Legislative
Council, or any modification of it, and this arrangement
would still leave the absolute power of passing them with
the deputy of the Colonial Office. I also think that the
laws would be better administered and at less expense .
* * *
Believe me very truly yours,
The Hon . Francis Scott, M.P.
P.S. The only reason I could ever find for the expensive
establishments of Hong Kong, occurs in the evidence of
Colonel Malcolm before the Commons' Committee in 1847
(No.4638.) He says,“ Thegreat objectwas that the Governor
and all the Officers should be placed in such a position as
to inspire the respect of the Chinese Government ;" and
again (4636), “ There was every prospect of a large popu
lation and great traffic at first. It was conceived , that it
would be highly advisable that the servants of Government
8
should be placed in such a position that they could maintain
themselves as gentlemen and live respectably, as they would
be constantly brought into communication with the Chinese
and the Chinese authorities, upon all of whom outward
appearance has a great effect. "
Nothing but aa delusion and a snare ! To this day, all
the officials, from the Governor downwards, live in hired
houses of most unpretending appearance, cheapness being
seemingly the main consideration . As for impressing the
Chinese, (who are neither an impressible nor showy people)
except the loose frib in Hong Kong, there are no Chinese
to impress within aa hundred miles of us, and for any per
sonal intercourse our authorities have with them , they might
as well be aa hundred thousand miles off .. If the establish
ment was formed under the anticipations stated by Colonel
Malcolm , why is it not reduced when, after seven years,
the reasons assigned are proved to be erroneous ? seeing
we have neither a great traffic nor Chinese authorities to
show off our own otherwise superfluous officials.
9
From a Justice of the Peace and Resident Partner of a well.
known Mercantile Firm .
HONG KONG, 17th April, 1850 .
MY DEAR SIR,
Regarding the position of this Colony, about which we
have talked more than once , and to which on many occasions
I have alluded, to my friend L both while he was in and
out of Parliament, I confess I have found it almost a hopeless
matter to make the people at home fairly understand how
Hong Kong bears with respect to the Trade with China.
Many in England consider our local government as at present
established , with all its heavy and costly machinery, if not
mainly instrumental, as, in a great measure, the fosterer of
our large Import trade to China, and as having its share in
influencing the heavy revenue derived at home from Tea .
How very different is the real state of the case !
Hong Kong, as a military station , and naval depot, is good
in all respects, and no doubt our commercial interests in this
quarter of the world require such a place at the hands of the
English Government; but still, Hong Kong is not the seat
of trade, nor has it ever been so, our business being carried
on at Canton, some 90 miles, and at Shanghae, about 900
miles distant from this.
Understand me clearly. When I say that such a place as
Hong Kong, in my opinion, is necessary, I am far from
agreeing with the local Government, that the present large
annual levy on the residents should be quietly borne as an
10
equivalent for the advantage of the Naval and Military
Station, such as it is; nor indeed can I think it was originally
intended that the entire amount of revenue raised in name
of land rents, police assessments, fines, forfeitures, licenses,
and fees, should be appropriated — not in the improvement of
the Colony one jot, nor in encouraging parties to trade with
or reside in Victoria — but, exclusively, to payment of salaries
and wages. A reference to the Colonial Treasurer's Accounts,
as published on 3rd January last, will however fully shew
that the revenue has been so appropriated.
As you are aware, I am one of a Committee named to
inquire into, and report on the Land Tenure. I shall not
therefore in this place touch upon the excessive land rents,
heavy police assessments, court fees, fines, or fees of office,
I shall content myself here by saying, do not ask me— “ Why
did you compete for such grounds, when excessive prices
ruled ? ” as I should only answer , “ We one and all bought
land at Government sales, never calculating, nor being led to
believe, that more than the whole revenue would be eaten up
with expenses of the Government Establishments, and no
portion of it used to encourage a trade in the young Colony.
Permit me, however, to notice a few items of expenditure, as
shewn in the “ Revenue and Expenditure Account for the
year ending 31st December last.
Colonial Secretary's Office costs annually £ 3,072 48 11d
When the duties attaching to this office are considered, this
sum appears very large. I should say that (so long as the same
individual is both Governor and Superintendent of Trade ),
the whole duties of the Secretary to the Superintendent of
Trade, and those of the Auditor might, with ease, be blended
with the Colonial Secretary's, at no additional cost.
11
Treasurer's Office costs £ 1870 98 5d
This amount was paid for collecting £23,617 during the year
1849. In China there are many houses of business which
receive as much as this entire amount collected, andpay an
equal sum , weekly ; and this is done with perfect safety and
despatch by the Chinese head servants, or Compradors, at an
almost nameless per- centage. The extent of labour to keep
the few accounts, £500 a year could amply cover .
Auditor's Office costs ..... £ 478 118 3d
A Colonial Secretary, I consider, should audit the few accounts,
as being a part of his individual duties, without further
remuneration .
Surveyor General's Office costs ... £ 1909 78 7d
For the past year no larger a sum than £530 48 5d was expended
by the Surveyor General in roads, streets, and bridges !
When roads become bad, they are not now repaired by
Government - no Government works are going on over
which the Surveyor General has any control ; and unless the
office is intended as a sinecure, I cannot see its use.
Harbour Master's Office costs .... £ 1360 98 4d
The office is no doubt a useful one ; but its cost seems entirely
beyond all precedent. It is true it combines with it the duties
of Marine Magistrate. The Harbour Master issues printed
rules to regulate ships entering and leaving the harbour,
imposing certain penalties in cases of disobedience, as to
anchoring, &c., but the Harbour Master does not pull off to
ships, and point out berths. In fact, this Harbour needs no
rule as to anchoring. Twenty times the number of Ships we
have ever seen here, could with safety to one another anchor
in the Bay. Nay more, the very Harbour Master seems
satisfied of this, as a Lascar, it is well known, for years past
has acted, and now acts for his master. He visits a ship on
arrival, carries aa book, in which he asks the Captain , or his
officer, to write the Vessel's name.---where from - what cargo
—and the name of the Consignees ! The Marine Magistrate's
duties are, to inquire into petty broils with sailors and their
captains, and any case of importance is handed over to one
or other of our Superior Courts.
12
The Judicial Establishment is set down at.......... £ 6608 Os od
This I consider a most oppressive charge on the Colony ;
a less expensive and more simple mode of administrating
justice is much called for. As I have already mentioned , we
have really no trade in the Colony, and the Home Govern
ment should be made thoroughly to understand, that the
business of the Courts has reference almost entirely to cases
(some not of the most respectable character) with Chinese,
either of robbery, piracy, murder, or other breaches of the
law. Now as regards the Rules of Court applicable to cases
where CHINESE are tried , or have suits, our system seems so
ill adapted to meet the cases which occur, that some change
in the constitution of the Courts is absolutely necessary . The
fees in all the Courts are too heavy. In certain cases you are
compelled to employ an Attorney, else be nonsuited ; and this
Attorney demands from the Chinamen exorbitant sums before
undertaking their cases. Europeans going into Court, diffi
culties and hardships, by way of squeezes in fees, surround
them . They, equally with the Chinese, cannot get their cases
brought on without going through the form and Court plan
of doing it, —all of which merely increases fees to the indi
vidual officers of the Court, and puts money into the pockets
of the Attornies . Surely in a place like this, where the
Courts are taken up with cases originating in the Colony,
and generally with the lowest and worst class of the Chinese,
but affecting our trade as established between China and
England not one cent — a case of a mercantile nature being
a most rare occurrence, some more speedy and wholesome
plan for meeting the ends of justice could surely be devised
at one - third the expense.
Medical . . £806 188 2d, Hospitals . . £340 38 9d = £1147 18 11d
The salary to the Colonial Surgeon takes up more than half of
this sum . As Government Officers pay their own Medical
Attendant, and as the Colonial Surgeon is permitted to prac
tice in his profession privately, I submit that this expense
seems unnecessarily heavy.
Police and Jails £6856 68 2d and £ 1125 128 8d := £7981 188 10d
It is notorious that this is one of the most expensive and least
13
efficient branches of our Local Governments. Numerically,
the Police Force is very large, but the Indians employed are
next to useless — their pay (6 to 7 8a month ) is too small to
make them care about retaining their appointments. We are
compelled to keep our own China watchmen at considerable
expense, notwithstanding the Police arrangements. Discharge
your China watchmen, and robbery is sure to follow . One
third of the number of Indian Constables of better character,
and having better pay, and a few more mounted Police
(English), would be more effective and less expensive.
I would assign to Mr. May, the Chief Superintendent of
Police, the duties of Assistant Magistrate — the cases come
before him in the first instance - and no one is better qualified
to dispose of them — thus abolishing entirely the office of
Assistant Magistrate, and imposing little, if any , more duty
on Mr. May. Many cases which Mr. Hillier, the Chief
Magistrate hands over to the Supreme Court, might be adju
dicated as they merit, by him on their first appearance . It is
the various Courts - forms - and procrastinating of Cases,
which at once render this an unreasonably expensive branch
of our Government, as well as one ill adapted to the wants of
the place.
These are a few of the burdens and difficulties which the
Colony still labors under ; and it is doubtful how long it can
bear up with them . Property will, and is, periodically falling
into the hands of Government, useless to the Colony ; tenants
being wanting, I believe, purely because of the difficulty of
placing the facts in a proper light before the Home Govern
ment, and rather unfortunately, those who govern us in China
look too much to the side where they can raise funds, never
to the lopping off needless but lucrative appointments, as
a means of lessening their pecuniary difficulties. It has been
the custom to impute to those who complain of unreasonable
taxation in Hong Kong, a desire on their part to impede the
plans and movements of the Government, and, in fact, to
14
grumble, without good grounds for so doing. I can only
answer this by craving a reference to the Treasurer's Accounts
for some years past, where it will be seen that the total Revenue
has gone but a short way to meet actual Salaries and Wages
for Officers ; whilst I am convinced, under a different system
the Government could be carried on at one-half the present
cost, and at the same time, in such a manner as to conduce to
the advantage of the Residents, and to giving the Colony
a chance of reviving some little trade, which at the present
moment appears all but extinct.
In this hurried letter, I have not mentioned anything of
our Consuls and Consular Ports. It seems to me very de
sirable for the interest of our trade, that there should be
Consul-General, irrespective of Hong Kong, who would have
the Ports of Canton, Shanghai, and Amoy, under his super
vision and control. ( Foo -Chow and Ningpo I consider dead
letters. I would withdraw our establishment, leaving merely
a paid Government Agent at each place, thus saving much
expense, and losing no trade ). And why should this plan of
a Consul-General not be carried out ? the advantages of such
a step to those interested in the China Trade are, to me,
apparent. The Mercantile community of China have little,
indeed no litigation, in the strict acceptation of the word.
Points involving questions where the “ Customs of the Ports ”
are generally the tests, sometimes come before a Consul, each
Consul should have power to decide on the merits, calling in ,
merchants, disinterested in
should he deem fit, three or more m
the case before him . In cases where appeals are made, such
appeals to go before the Consul-General on the merits, he to
be assisted by three or more Mercantile men, and his decision
to be binding
15
The arrangement at present seems to me most absurd.
The office of Superintendent of Trade is filled by the Governor
of Hong Kong, who receives £ 3000 a -year, for each office,
out of the resources of the colony. His Excellency resides
exclusively in this colony, and cannot personally be acquainted
with anything as regards the trade at the different Ports, and
the various branches of it, carried on under the eye of the
respective Consuls. To be so, His Excellency should, doubt
less, be resident in Canton ; yet reference must now be made
to the Superintendent; and though the matters may be most
sim and perfectly clear to the Resident -Consul, he must
abide the advices from Hong Kong, sometimes at consider
able inconvenience to the parties interested. Again , our
Supreme Court, as at present constituted, is a great bugbear
to trade at the different ports. When a case is brought
before a Consul, and a decision is given, the party against
whom the case has been decided, can appeal to this Court,
(as occurred the other day you may recollect) but the party
appealing has the unusual period of six months given him to
find sureties ! At the end of this time, he has only to come
forward and say, “ I cannot procure the sureties necessary !"
thus depriving the other individual of his lawful money for a
period of six months.
Those interested in the China Trade should be protected,
instead ofbeing exposed to the hardships of Local Ordinances.
The honest man is laid open to the losses and inconveniences
named, so long as such a course as that just mentioned, is
permitted and sanctioned by the Supreme Court of Hong
Kong.
Yours sincerely,
16
From aa Merchant, Justice of the Peace, and Member of the
Legislative Council.
HONG KONG, 11th April, 1850.
MY DEAR SIR,
With reference to our recent conversation, I need
hardly say, it is highly gratifying to find that Colonial Affairs
now attract more of the attention of British statesmen than
they formerly did ; and I am persuaded that important in
terests may be much benefited by the aid
of such a Member
of Parliament as the gentleman with whom you are in corres
pondence on this subject.
This remote and comparatively unimportant settlement never
has and never can boast of any Agricultural or Commercial
product from its soil. The place derives its importance only
from its being a Diplomatic and a Military Station . Several
English mercantile houses were established here when the
colony was in its infant state, but the number of such is now
reduced to ten or twelve ; the buildings erected by some
being now unoccupied, and others being let for various pur
poses. The merchants who continue to reside here keep up
their establishments because they are unwilling to abandon
their buildings, which were erected under the false expecta
tion of this becoming a place of trade, and which, whether
occupied or not, are subject to a very heavy annual ground
rent. Canton and Shanghae are the principal (almost the
exclusive) Marts in China for Imports from England and
India, as well as for the Exports of China. There is a
Banking establishment here, but its business is chiefly done
At Canton and Shanghae. There are two American com
17
mercial firms ( agencies ) here, and one Danish ; the rest of the
inhabitants, besides those in the pay of the British Govern
ment, are a few European storekeepers, some missionaries,
and a scanty population of Chinese. None of the latter are
possessed of any property, and many of them are people of
bad repute.
The Ground Rents are almost the only source of revenue,
and they fall heavily on the inhabitants of a place which is
destitute of all natural resources.
Such is the settlement which at home is expected to be a
self-supporting colony. And so it might be, under proper
management ; but not with Government establishments such
as have been saddled upon it .
I contend that if this barren rock is to support the Govern
ment annual expenditure here, it should maintain only those
establishments which are necessary for the colony.
The salary of the Plenipotentiary and Superintendent of
Trade should form no part of the charge on the colony.
The office of the Colonial Treasury, with all in it, might be
abolished, and the duties could be efficiently performed by an
extra clerk in the Commissariat Department, at an expense
of £ 300 to £ 400 per annum .
The Supreme Court, with a Judge, Attorney -General,
Registrar, and subordinate officers, may be necessary as an
imperial appendage ; but more summary proceedings inLaw
than the courts of England admit of, seem to be necessary
here, particularly in order to check crime, this being the
habitual resort of hordes of pirates and thieves, who by the
leniency of our laws, and the interval which usually elapses
between the magisterial examination and the trial by jury,
too frequently escape punishment for want of " legal evidence,"
sometimes from the absence of witnesses, and often from pre
18
varication and perjury, for which the Chinese are notorious ;
besides which, imperfect interpretation of the language some
times interferes in obtaining proof of guilt. The Law Officers,
faithful to their profession, most religiously adhere to the
forms practised in England ; and, it is to be regretted, that
although the necessity of a change has been officially acknow
ledged in England, nothing seems to be in contemplation to
correct the evil.
The Surveyor -General, Clerk of the Works, and all apper
taining to that office, may well be dispensed with , and the
services of the Royal Engineers substituted. No new build
ings or roads are likely to be required, whilst the necessary
repairs to make the roads and bridges passable in the less
frequented parts. of the Island are not undertaken from
economical consideration . This is of the less consequence,
from the danger of highway robbery having rendered the roads
unavailable any distance from the town.
The Magistracy, Gaol, and Police establishments are at
tended with heavy expenses — and necessarily so, from the
character of most of the Chinese inhabitants. The present
Police Force is inefficient in so straggling a town as this is,
and it ought to be numerically increased, if possible, with
better materials. The Constables are mostly Indians, defi
cient in physical or in moral power .
Some time ago, a long and most diligent investigation was
made by a Parliamentary Committee, into the affairs of the
China Trade, and of this colony, and an able Report was
drawn up, recommending the adoption of certain measures,
none of which I believe have been carried into effect. If
attention could be drawn to that Report, I think some good
might be the result.
I remain, my dear Sir, yours sincerely,
19
Note on receipt of the preceding.
Hong Kong, April 12, 1850.
MY DEAR
On reading over your letter, a few and comparatively
unimportant points struck me as deserving of being again
reconsidered by you. To take them in order — Ist. You say,
there are two American and one Danish Commercial firms,
you might have added, one German . But, are any of these
properly termed Commercial firms ? They are really agencies
for the Commercial firms at the other Ports of China, and,
but for this being the Post Office station, might be dispensed
with. 2nd. I think if you attended the Courts as often as I
do, you would be struck with, if possible, a greater evil than
the escape of the guilty through prevarication and perjury.
Through these, I am fully persuaded the innocent are fre
quently convicted by the guilty, the Court being either unable
or unwilling to investigate this matter, so that the bare forms
are observed. The forms and expensiveness of Civil and
Vice -Admiralty proceedings have ruined not a few Chinese,
who would have added their mite to the trade and industry
of the place. 3rd. I concur about the state of the roads, but
not as to the danger of highway robbery. For years past
Europeans have been wonderfully safe. I know of many
others besides myself that have travelled at all hours and met
with nothing to make us afraid - nor are such cases of attack
frequent in the Police Reports. 4th. You say, there is a
scanty population of Chinese ! Do you think so ? They far
outnumber all others put together. Chinese of substance,
there are few_if any.
Yours, sincerely,
20
Note in reply.
Hong Kong, 12th April, 1850.
MY DEAR
I have yours of this date. I believe that in the
capacity of Agents, the two American houses here do some
Commercial business, but not much. The Dane is a large
Importer of Rice, from Lombok , and other ports. The
German, I fancy, is more of a Storekeeper than any thing
else.
What you say about our Courts of law is very true, but I
am in hopes something will be done to make proceedings
more suitable to the circumstances attending cases here ; all
lawyers will stick to the old forms as long as they can.
The Chinese have reason to fear highway robbery on the
roads out of town, but as regardsEuropeans this may be a mere
bugbear. From my own observation, however, it is evident
that the Western road between my house and Pok -foo -lum
is less frequented by Europeans (pedestrian or equestrian )
than it was two years ago ;* and you will recollect that the
Government † issued a public warning to people, not to
venture on the roads out of town singly without being
armed .
The Chinese population in the colony, certainly outnumbers
all the rest of the inhabitants — immeasurably - but does not
increase ; and I consider the Island, small as it is, thinly
populated, for you may walk for miles in many directions
without seeing any habitation, and the Town is not densely
crowded .
Yours sincerely
* The road is in such bad repair as to be nearly impassable.
+ The Chief Magistrate, years ago.
21
From a Justice of the Peace, and Member of a leading
Mercantile Firm .
A FEW REMARKS RELATING TO THE COLONY
OF HONG KONG.
It will be unnecessary to dwell upon the sad mistake com
mitted by Sir Henry Pottinger, in choosing for a British
settlement an island so barren as Hong Kong, devoid of
natural resources, producing neither food for man nor cattle,
incapable of being put into a state of defence except at an enor
mous outlay of money , and the maintenance of a very large
garrison ; while it is 85 miles distant from Canton, the chief
emporium of trade with this part of China, and 73 from
Whampoa, the place of anchorage and loading of British
vessels .
The error has been committed, and the millions of British
capital that have been spent for Military, Government, and
Mercantile purposes, will, in all probability, cause Hong
Kong, with all its disadvantages, to continue a British
settlement.
That being the case, it is of course of importance to
ascertain, what can be done for its improvement and pros
perity, and what economy and saving can be effected in the
government of the colony.
The petitions and memorials from residents, both to Par
liament and Government, have already directed attention to
those points ; but little notice has been taken either of the
recommendations of Committees of Parliament, or of those
interested in the prosperity of the colony.
22
A Minister of the Colonies seems only anxious to get easily
through the Session of Parliament, to avoid or ward off the
attacks that may be made against him , or his measures ; and
matters which deserve consideration and require to be
grappled with, are either passed over, or forgotten so soon as
the storm that may have been raised subsides. The cause of
this neglect may possibly be attributable, in some measure, to
the impossibility of one man, or of aa dozen of men, being able
to attend at one time to the multiplicity of affairs connected
with so many distant colonies, to learn and understand the
real position of matters, and consequently what affects the
true interests of those possessions.
It would be natural to suppose that, under such circum
stances, a person would be selected for the Governor of a
colony, in whose judgment and discretion the government at
at home placed reliance, and who consequently would have
liberty to carry out the measures he approved of ; but the
dread of responsibility on the part of the Governor, or the
reluctance on that of the Colonial Office to permit his inde
pendent action , neutralizes the advantages of the appoint
ment of such a person ; and a clerk from the Colonial Office,
upon a comparatively small salary, accustomed to obey the
orders of his chief at home, might, so far as the colony is
concerned, answer equally well.
I would not, however, advocate such a system , nor do I
think that the power should rest exclusively either with a
Minister or a Governor.
A Legislative Council may exist, as it does here ; but com
posed, as it is, of those holding appointments under Govern
ment, circumstances conduce generally to render the parties
too subservient to the will of the Governor.
The contemplated admission into Council here of two from
the Mercantile body, is a step in the right direction ; but it
23
falls far short of what ought to be done. A complete change
of system , one of a more liberal character, is required ,-one
which would give some voice to those who contribute towards
the revenue of the colony — to those most interested in its
prosperity, and best able to judge of the measures that would
benefit it. Had this been done at first, we would not now
have the mass of useless ordinances, and the confusion they
create - respectable Chinese would not have been deterred
from trading to, and settling in the colony, and a greater
number of British merchants might have found it their in
terest to have remained here.
Our present Governor evinces a laudable desire to benefit
the settlement, but the causes already alluded to, amongst
others, operate against his carrying out the measures
required.
Much therefore remains to be done, which under aa different
system of government would meet with immediate attention .
I may instance the imperfect state of the Police Force, com
posed chiefly of the most abandoned characters, and who, as
experience has shewn, are most unfit to watch over the safety
of property and individuals. It is partly owing to this that
the most desperate characters among the Chinese resort to
this town and island — that pirates frequent it both to man
and equip their vessels — that piracies are of so frequent
occurrence in our harbour - that robberies and thefts on
shore are of daily occurrence, and that Europeans are some
times attacked in the very streets of Victoria in open day,
without getting assistance either from Chinese or from the
Police. Adequate measures ought surely to be adopted for
the prevention of such evils.
They may also be partly attributable to the insufficiency
and inadaptation of English laws for the Chinese population,
and particularly for characters of the description mentioned .
24
Different laws ought therefore to be framed ; the present
forms and rules of Court ought for all parties to be simplified
or abolished, and justice ought to be administered in as cheap
and speedy a mode as possible.
For the Chinese, the latter is the more necessary, from the
difficulty of keeping witnesses together, and preventing them
being tampered with. The Gaol department and prison dis
cipline might be improved, and if the Treadmill were intro
duced it would greatly assist in checking crime ; and as
punishment in the Colony might then by a change in the law
be substituted for transportation, the saving both to the
Colony and Mother Country would be considerable. It might
also be well to try the experiment of putting a certain number
of the most respectable Chinese on the Jury in trials of their
countrymen . It would tend probably to raise them in respec
tability,-make them better acquainted with our laws and
forms of Justice,—and have a good effect upon those brought
to trial.
It would be an advantage also in this Colony, if the law , as
>
it is in Scotland, had effect, rendering a majority, or two
thirds, of the jurymen being unanimous, sufficient to return
a verdict.
The cry that has been raised against Colonial expenditure,
and particularly with reference to Hong Kong, is another
preventive to good being done here. Governors are desirous
to stand well with the home authorities, and thus the money
that ought to be laid out in the keeping up and the improvement
of streets, roads, and generally for the benefit of the Colony,
is saved to meet the expenses of an unnecessarily large
Government establishment, which, apparently for the patronage
it affords, Ministers seem unwilling to reduce .
25
Economy and reduction are spoken of, and may be recom
mended - underlings may be cut down in salary or dismissed,
but the axe is not laid at the root of the evil. It is from such
a system that this Colony has suffered, and will continue to
suffer should no change take place.
From various sources a revenue of about £ 24,000 is raised
here; and any one who has given any consideration to the
subject will admit, that it is more than adequate for the ex
penses of an efficient Government establishment, and for all
other purposes of the Colony.
It seems ill-judged to deprive so many who contribute to
wards that revenue of having a voice in its appropriation - it
is disadvantageous to the Colony, and it is most unfair to
employ it for other than legitimate objects.
More could be said on this head as well as others, and also
with reference to the means of improving the Colony, but
I have touched upon what appeared to me to deserve the
most consideration.
HONG KONG, 19th April, 1850.
26
COLONIAL ESTABLISHMENT.
From a Justice of the Peace.
1. The Governor of Hong Kong Mr. Barham considers the
is alsoChiefSuperintendentofTrade present arrangement unfair to
in China, and Her Majesty's Pleni- the Colony .
potentiary, let the Colony therefore
only pay one -third of his salary,
and allow £300 for Private Se
cretary · £ 2300
2. Colonial Secretary, Auditor Major Caine has now nearly
General, and Clerk of Councils served his time , allow him to
£ 1200 ann . and £ 800 for esta- retire with his pension, and pro
blishments which ought to provide mote the Colonial Treasurer, Mr.
also for record of sales and trans Mercer, who is well qualified for
fers of land , &c. at present done in the superior office.
the Surveyor-General's office .... 2000
3. Colonial Treasurer - abolish ;
and hand over the business to the
Bank , the Commission on £ 25,000
of Revenue at 1 p Cent. 250
4. Surveyor -General - abolish ;
give an Engineer Officer £ 300 m
ann . to attend to roads and build
ings , the record of land sales , &c.
provided for in Secretary's office . 300
5. Harbour- Master - reduce to Mr. Lena performed the duties
£300 g ann . with £ 100 for a boat's in Mr. Pedder's absence in a
crew and establishment 400 most satisfactory manner ; his
6. Ecclesiastical, Educational, salary was £ 300 p annum.
and Medical, as at present, say .. 1600
7. Judicial-Judge £ 2000, Re
gistrar £800, Establishment, say
£ 1000 3800
8. Police and Jails, at present
£7988, and inefficient, but might
be much improved and the ex
penses reduced 7000
£17,650
I think the sum of £ 17,650 would be sufficient for the Colonial Esta
blishment, Supreme Court, Police and Jails and all ; and as the Revenue
in 1849 amounted to £23,617 , there would be a balance of £6000 in hand,
which would admit of the Ground Rent ( the only item of Revenue com
plained of) being reduced, or being done away with , and a Property Tax
substituted instead, and were this done I think the Colony would progress;
at present it is standing still !
27
From a Merchant and Justice of the Peace.
23rd April, 1850.
The piracies that during the last few years have been
prevalent in China waters, must in a great degree be attributed
to ourselves, partly as the natural result of the treaties, and
greatly from the mode in which we have managed the affairs
of the colony of Hong Kong.
Before entering into the various causes that have led to the
present condition of the Coast and extremities of Southern
China, it may be as well to recur to their state previous to the
circumstances which preceded Captain Elliott's Opium Cor
respondence with the Viceroy of Canton, in 1838, which led
to the war of the three succeeding years.
If any of the merchants who retired from China previous to
1839, were now to return, they would find nothing more
changed than the degree of confidence with which foreigners
venture their persons or property between Canton and
Whampoa, and the outer anchorages. Up to that time there
was no hesitation in trusting property of the greatest value to
the keeping of the Lascars, who navigated the small schooners
which then plied on the river, and which, during many years,
formed almost the only means of communication between
Canton and the outer waters ; and it may very safely be said,
that during the whole time, not one piratical attack was made
on any of them , although they often carried large amounts of
treasure both to and from the receiving ships and Canton.
28
The late Mr. Jardine, who must be considered as a good
authority, said, at a public dinner given to him by the foreign
community, previous to his leaving China in the beginning
of 1839
“ I have been a long time in this country, and have aa few words
to say in its favour. Here we find our persons more efficiently pro
tected by laws than in many other parts of the East, or of the world.
In China, a foreigner can go to sleep, with his windows open, without
being in dread of either his life or property, which are well guarded
by a most watchful and excellent police ; but both are periled with
little or no protection in many other states. Business is conducted
with unexampled facility, and in general with singular good faith ;
and though there are, of course, occasional exceptions, these but
more strikingly bear out my assertion. Neither would I omit the
general courtesy of the Chinese in all their intercourse and transac
tions with foreigners. These, and some other considerations, are
the reasons that so many of us so oft re- visit this country, and stay
in it so long . "
There can be no doubt that persons and property in China
were, up to that time, safe to a degree which now appears
miraculous.
I shall take the years 1837–38, in which I had most per
sonal experience in the state of matters I am about to describe.
In 1837, the Opium Trade came to Whampoa — the usual
anchorage for ships engaged in the more legal trade-- and one
of the first stationary vessels employed in it was under my
orders, and I continued largely and continuously engaged in
the trade during the whole time it lasted . My business was
to sell Opium at Canton, either deliverable at Whampoa,
alongside the depôt schooner, or at various points on the
river ; at night, sometimes as far as a mile and a half above
Canton. The difficulty in the latter was to find a European
who knew the river, and could be trusted to make the de
liveries at the places agreed upon, and at the proper time.
After repeated failures by others, I had for some months to
29
take this night-duty on myself, in addition to making sales
during the day.
My first delivery was above Canton, after which I made
deliveries of Opium at every point of the river ; sometimes to
the value of 18,000 to 20,000 dollars at a time; I have on
three occasions carried a gig filled with drug to the city shore
inside the Dutch Folly ; I have remained at anchor for hours,
for instance, where the Barrier now is. After the time ap
pointed for the Chinese to come for their Opium , I have pulled
up in my wherry from French Folly to Canton, unarmed and
often alone, at every hour of the night ; and during the whole
time I never met with the slightest molestation from either the
Chinese authorities or people. Again, the small schooners
remained in perfect safety at Whampoa, although at times
there were no ships at the anchorage. They were supplied
with Opium by other schooners of the same class (15 to 45
tons,) constantly running between that anchorage and the
ships at Hong Kong, bringing cargoes of Opium of the value
of $ 10,000 to 850,000, and often the returns. Yet, although
the nature of the cargo was well known, not one case of
piracy occurred. At this time, too, Foreigners were in the
constant habit of walking about the streets of Canton without
molestation, and over the length and breadth of the island of
Honan, which now they cannot do.
It has been often asked, Why is it that the Chinese of the
present day are so much changed for the worse ? and it is
usually answered, “ The war, by lessening the respect of the
populace for the authorities, has been the cause ;" but I think
there are also other causes for the hostility with which the
lower classes at Canton regard us. Nothing has at any time
been done to conciliate them ; and as a body they derive no
advantage from our residence among them ; on the contrary,
any concessions obtained from the mandarins, to the increase
30
of the comfort of foreigners, has been at the expense of the
people. Such have been the inclosing the front of the factories,
and their rigid exclusion from the square, that formerly was
common to all; and the shutting up of Hog Lane,which led to
one of their most frequented ferries. Imagine the British
Government assigning to a community of foreigners, St. Paul's
Church -yard, or even Leicester Square, for a place of residence,
and the indignation that would result if they even applied for
leave to close the thoroughfare. Moreover, as beforesaid, they
derive no benefit from us . The greater part of our supplies
of food even come from Whampoa, and our servants are almost
invariably from another district.
But these circumstances do not account for the piracies and
robberies that of late have become so common . Few Chinese,
however, would become pirates or murderers from choice, but
their moral principle is not sufficient to restrain them , where
they see no other chance of existence open to them . I would
therefore attribute the character the lower class of Chinese
around us have now obtained, in a great measure, to causes
incident to the changes in their condition, arising from the
Treaty and other circumstances in the Foreign Trade, which
have had the effect of throwing a vast number out of employ
ment. Previous to the war there were few Opium receiving
ships on the coast of China, and none of them to the North
of Chin -Chew Bay. From these ships and Canton the whole
of Northern China was supplied by their own vessels ; now ,
the Opium trade of the North is carried on in twelve foreign
vessels, stationed near Shanghae and Ningpo, their supplies
being either carried direct from India, or by foreign vessels
from Canton River -besides the whole of the general trade at
the new ports being conducted in the same manner, the
Coasting trade of Chinese junks has been nearly utterly
extinguished .
31
At Hong Kong, on its first occupation , and until Sir Henry
Pottinger dispossessed some of the Chinese of lands granted
to them by Captain Elliot, the population was very great, and
profitably employed, and the most sanguine expectations were
entertained for the future.
Sir John Davis arrived in May 1844 ; in August following
the Registration Ordinance was passed. This measure,
although distasteful to the Chinese, might have done little
evil had the same inducements to their settling in the colony
been allowed to continue , but unfortunately no other mode of
increasing the revenue could be devised , except taking the
means of existence from the many and giving it to the few,
by the system of monopolies upon every means of employment
to which they could be applied. The Opium Farm , Market
Farm , Fishery Farm , Salt Farm , Ghaut Serang Farm , Stone
Quarry Farm , were all made to contribute to the revenue of
3
the colony, but at the same time to the ruin of its trade and
prospects. To enable readers at a distance to understand the
nature of what in the East is called a farm , we may simply
state that the Opium Farm , for instance , deprived nearly every
shopkeeper of the right he had previously enjoyed to sell
Opium , and conferred it exclusively on one man for a sum of
money. This is the working of the whole system -- it deprived
the people of employment, and consequently of food, and
crime has, as a matter of course , been the natural attendant
upon a starving and not very moral population . The sources
of industry, in fact, have been dried up by the Government :
open them again , and crime will be much diminished . It is
often said that Chinese commit petty crimes for the purpose
of getting into jail that they may be fed. What does this
prove ?
Blades & East, Printers, Abchurch Lane.
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