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 CORNELL 
 
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 LIBRARY 
 
 THE WASON 
 
 CHINESE 
 COLLECTION 
 
Cornell University Library 
 DS 796.H77A1 
 
 The blockade of the port & harbour of Ho 
 
 ill 
 
 3 1924 023 436 722 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924023436722 
 
M 
 
 V-iflXSi-^i'-a 
 
 .#' 
 
 BLOCKAD.E 
 
 "t K 
 
 ''<» 
 
 '> 
 
 ',\-\- .•-"■ 
 
 'lU 
 
 if 
 
 'PvjET & HIEBGUR orSONGEONG 
 
 BY 
 
 THE HOPPO, OR FARMER TN CANTON OF CUSTOMS 
 DUTIES LEVIED UPON CHINESE VESSELS. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AT 
 
 4^..EBB£*C MEEHNG 'HEED AT -THE" CiT't HALL, HONGKONG, 
 
 ON THE 14th SEPTEMBEE, 1874. 
 
 ^••,WITH AN appendix; XiDEX, AND fflA"*;. 
 
 I 
 
 *% 
 
 
 t 
 
 "A ' 
 
 ,^ 1^.-^ 
 
 I? 
 
 LONDON: KENT AND CO;, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
 NORWICH : FLETCH-ER AND SON. 
 
 »Tj«- 
 
 5^ 
 

 Vsi//a^ 
 
L E M A 
 
 CHANNEL 
 
 NOTE. 77?^ Gunboat? ancJwrages marked^ red.. 
 
 Fleuher £■ San^ luh Ncrrwtch. 
 
THE BLOCKADE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 POET AND HAEBOUR OF HONGKONG, 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Hoppo, OR Farmer in Canton op Customs Duties 
 LEVIED UPON Chinese Vessels. 
 
 PROCEEDINGS AT A PUBLIC MEETING HELD AT THE CITY 
 HALL, HONGKONG, ON THE 14th SEPTEMBER, 1874. 
 
 Requisition. 
 
 To C. Vandeleur Creagh, Esquire, 
 
 Sheriff of Hongkong. 
 
 Sir, — We the undersigned, Merchants, Bankers, Traders, 
 and other inhabitants, hereby request that you will have the 
 goodness to convene a Pubhc Meeting for the purpose of re- 
 ceiving information and expressing opinion upon the subject 
 of the blockade of the port of Hongkong by the Hoppo of 
 Canton, 
 
 We would suggest that Monday, the 14th September, at 
 3 o'clock p.m., would meet the convenience of most people. 
 
 Hongkong, September 11, 1874. 
 
 (Signed by) 
 
 Henry A. Mylne, of Messrs Adamson, Bell & Co. 
 P. Karberg, „ Arnhold, Karberg & Co. 
 
 E. R. BeliUos, 
 
 W. W. Battles, „ Battles & Co. 
 
 -T. Fyke, „ Birley & Co. 
 
 F. Rapp, J, Blackhead & Co. 
 H. Nicaise, Borneo Company. 
 
2 
 
 Ernest Behre, of Messrs 
 
 Francisco A, Gomes, „ 
 
 C. H. E. Seimund, „ 
 
 Eud. Jensen, „ 
 
 W. D. Harrison, „ 
 
 W. H. Brereton, ^ 
 
 O. Benecke, ,, 
 M. W. Boyd, 
 
 H. H. Nelson, 
 
 C. P. Chater, 
 Jas. B. Coughtrie, 
 N. B. Dennys, 
 
 A. Philippe, 
 W. H. Bell, 
 
 B. Davies, 
 Eichard Deacon, 
 Ad. Strack, 
 
 C. Budde, 
 
 J. N. Driscoll, 
 W. T. Newitt, 
 
 W. Ball, 
 John Lindsley, 
 M. Garrett, 
 
 C. Heermann, 
 H. Lowcock, 
 
 D. Gillies, 
 W. Lemann, 
 A. P. Handley 
 
 E. E. Handley, 
 A. MacG. Heaton, 
 Albert F. Heard, 
 H. Stolterfoht, 
 
 E. Stell, 
 E. Eowett, 
 James Greig, 
 
 Eobt. Duncan, 
 
 G. U. Sands, 
 
 William Curtis, 
 Thos. Howard, 
 
 J) 
 
 J) 
 
 )7 
 
 ■>•> 
 
 i Bourjau & Co, 
 
 Brandao & Co. 
 
 Broadbear, Anthony & Co. 
 
 John Burd & Co. 
 
 Butterfield & Swire. 
 
 Caldwell & Brereton, 
 
 Carlowitz & Co. 
 
 Chartered Bank of India, Aus- 
 tralia and China 
 
 Chartered Mercantile Bank of 
 India, London and China. 
 
 China Fire Insurance Company. 
 China Mail Office. 
 Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris. 
 Daily Press Office. 
 
 Dcetjen & Co. 
 Dreyer & Co. 
 
 Eastern Extension, Australasian, 
 
 and China Telegraph Co. 
 Engholm & Co. 
 Frazar & Co. 
 
 Gaupp & Co. 
 
 Gibb, Livingston & Co. 
 
 Oilman & Co. 
 
 Augustine Hieard & Co. 
 
 Hesse & Co. 
 
 Heineman & Co. 
 
 HoUiday, Wise & Co, 
 
 Hongkong and Shanghai Bank- 
 ing Corporation. 
 
 Hongkong and Whampoa Dock 
 Co. 
 
 Hongkong, Canton, and Macao 
 Steamboat Co. 
 
 Hongkong Times Office. 
 
A. Noel Blakeman, 
 A. L. Agabeg, Jr., of 
 J. Whittall, 
 Herbert Magniac, 
 
 F. Koss, 
 Th. Koffer, 
 
 G. R, Lammert, 
 W. R. Landstein, 
 Jno, Cox, 
 
 Jno. S. Lapraik, 
 F. Lembke, 
 T. G. Linstead, 
 R. W. Lowndes, 
 J. G. Smith; 
 Da-vid Welsh, 
 Adolf Andr^, 
 Edward Mellish 
 C. Bertrand, 
 J. Alabor, 
 
 Maneckjee Shapoorjee, 
 R. H. Sandeman, 
 J. Kennard Davis, 
 
 R. Lyall, 
 
 H. Seymour Geary, 
 C. Morland Kerr, 
 Geo. B. Emory, 
 
 J. Buse, 
 A. Mclver, 
 
 H. W. Davis, 
 
 Charles Kahn, 
 
 J. J. dos Remedies, 
 
 Rose & Co. 
 
 M. C. do Rozario, 
 
 Wm. H. Forbes, 
 
 S. D. Sassoon, 
 
 S. E. SheUim, 
 
 F. Grobien, 
 
 J. Black, 
 
 J. F. Scheffer, 
 
 L. Beyer, 
 
 Eug. Schwoerer, 
 
 Granville Sharp, 
 
 Tndo Chinese Sugar Company. 
 Messrs Jamieson & Barton. 
 ,-, Jardine, Matheson & Co. 
 ,, Jardine, Matheson & Co. 
 „ Koss & Co. 
 „ Medical Hall. 
 „ Lammert, Atkinson & Co. 
 „ Landstein & Co. 
 ,, Lane, Crawford & Co. 
 ,, D. Lapraik & Co. 
 
 McEwen, Frickel & Co. 
 McGregor & Co. 
 Melchers & Co. 
 
 Messageries Maritiiiaes. 
 
 Meyer, Alabor & Co. 
 
 N. Mody & Co. 
 
 National Bank of India. 
 
 North China Insurance Com- 
 
 
 •n 
 ■>■> 
 
 3) 
 
 )) 
 
 J3 
 
 pany. 
 
 Edward Norton & Co. 
 
 dyphant & Co. 
 
 Oriental Bank Corporation. 
 
 Pacific Mail Steam-Ship Com- 
 pany. 
 
 F. Peil. 
 
 Peninsular and Oriental Steam 
 Navigation Company. 
 
 Purdon & Co. 
 
 Reiss & Co. 
 
 J. J. dos Remedio^ & Co, 
 
 Rozario & Co. 
 
 Russell & Co. 
 
 David Sassoon, Sons & Cb. 
 
 E. D. Sassoon & Co. 
 
 Sander & Co. 
 
 Sayle (fe Co. 
 
 Eduard Schellhass & Co. 
 
 Sharp & Co. 
 
H, Hoppius, 
 Matthew J. D. 
 J. B. Pearse, 
 P. Eyrie, 
 N. J., Ede, 
 
 Geo. Glasse, 
 Emil Vogel, 
 K. Walker. 
 W. D. Sutton, 
 
 of Messrs Siemssen & Co. 
 Stephens, „ Stephens and Holmes. 
 „ Thompson and Hind. 
 „ Turner & Co. 
 
 Union Insurance Society 
 
 Canton. 
 Victoria Dispensary. 
 „ Vogfil Hagedorn & Co. 
 
 „ A. S. Watson & Co. 
 
 of 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 Sheriff's Office, 
 Hongkong, September 11, 1874. 
 In compliance with this request, I hereby summon and 
 convene a MEETING to be held at the City Hall, at 3 p.m. on 
 MONDAY NEXT, the Fourteenth Inst. 
 
 [Seal] 
 
 (Signed) C. VANDELEUR CREAGH, 
 
 Sherif. 
 
THE BLOCKADE OF HONGKONG. 
 
 PUBLIC MEETING. 
 
 A very largely attended and influential meeting of the 
 foreign residents of Hongkong took place on the afternoon of 
 the 14th September, in the City Hall. 
 
 Mr C. V. Creagh, Sheriff, in calling the meeting to order, 
 read the letter received by him asking him to convene it, and 
 the advertisement calling the same. 
 
 The Hon. P. Ryrie of Messrs. Turner & Co., proposed 
 that MrH. Lowcock of Messrs. Gibb, Livingston & Co., take the 
 chair, and the proposition was passed by acclamation. 
 
 Mr Granville Sharp having been requested to act as Secre- 
 tary, 
 
 The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that he 
 did not think he need make many remarks, as he perceived, 
 from the large number who were present, that great interest 
 was taken in the object of the meeting, and they were all as 
 competent as himself to judge of it, and he had no doubt that 
 they as fully recognised the necessity for some steps being 
 taken with regard to the action of the Customs' cruisers. If some 
 measures were not speedily adopted, affairs would go on from 
 bad to worse, as the Chinese wonld think we were powerless 
 or too careless to prevent such encroachments. It was evident 
 that if we did not help ourselves we should get very little help 
 from elsewhere, and he therefore suggested that the meeting 
 urge upon Her Majesty's Government to take the necessary 
 steps to put a stop to and prevent a recurrence of the annoy- 
 ances complained of. He did not intend to enlarge upon what 
 these encroachments were, as all were aware of their character. 
 There were three stations commanding the only approaches to 
 and egress from the harbour, at which tolls were levied, and 
 supervision was kept up over every craft which left this 
 Colony. The Chinese were aided in levying the duties by gun- 
 boats and steam launches which were, contrary to local law, 
 
allowed to pass unmolested in and out of the harbour. In ad- 
 dition to this the Hoppo had established in this Colony an office 
 for the collection of the tolls which vessels have to pay on 
 passing the stations, and this was contrary to international 
 law, and the whole was an interference, in direct contravention 
 of the letter from Fler Majesty in 1841, opening the port to 
 trade, to Sir Henry Pottinger's proclamation of the following 
 year, and to the proclamation by the Chinese Government in 
 1869. Of course all that was done at the meeting should be in 
 accordance with the representation already made to Her Ma- 
 jesty's Government, and would have due weight, as being the 
 expression of opinion on the part of the public ; and he hoped 
 therefore that the meeting would be conducted in a moderate 
 manner, such as would induce a proper consideration of the 
 question. He then invited discussion on the subject, and called 
 upon any gentleman who had a resolution to propose, to put it 
 before the meeting. 
 
 Mr Greig, Chief Manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai' 
 Banking Corporation said he had to propose the first of a series 
 of resolutions with reference to the blockade of Hongkong, and 
 was glad to notice that the matter had brought together a large 
 concourse of people, the meeting being larger than any he had 
 seen before in Hongkong. The grievance was not one of yes- 
 terday, but was one of old standing, and there was no doubt 
 they were now threatened with complete extinction of the junk 
 trade, the preservation of which was of great importance to the 
 Colony. He trusted the resolution would meet with approval, 
 and that the Government would see the justice of all they com- 
 plained of, and very soon take measures to suppress the evil. 
 He moved the following resolution: — 
 
 "That this meeting regards with feelings of amazement 
 and alarm the organised invasion by the Hoppo of Canton 
 of the freedom and sanctuary of the Port and Harbour of 
 Hongkong." 
 
 The Hon. J. Whittall, of Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co., 
 said that, before the resolution was put to the meeting, he wish-' 
 ed to make a few remarks. He was one who had signed the 
 requisition, and he understood that the meeting had been called 
 for the purpose of obtaining information and expressing 
 opinion. But as yet no opinion had been expressed except in 
 generalities, to the effect that the trade of Hongkong was. 
 suffering. Now, he should like to hear something further upon 
 that before agreeing to the resolution He was not clear that 
 the views which had been expressed could be supported by 
 
facts. He maintained that the Colony is not suflfering from the 
 Hoppo of Canton, that the Chinese have a perfect right to levy 
 their duties, and that the trade of the Colony is at the present 
 moment improving, and is now as large as ever it v^^as. A short 
 time ago, it v^^as suggested that the junk fees should be reduced 
 because the returns from that source were greater than was 
 expected. This showed that the junk trade was improving. 
 There was a grievance, and he was prepared to join them to 
 redress it; but he thought the wholesale statements of the reso- 
 lution could not be proved. They oixght not to put forward 
 anything they could not substantiate. Therefore, he would 
 suggest that, before they went further, some gentleman should 
 explain clearly in what way the Colony suffered owing to the 
 blockade of the island. (Hear, hear,) 
 
 The Hon. P. Ryrie said, in reply to the remarks which had 
 just fallen from Mr Whittall, he thqught that gentleman had 
 only to refer to the Harbour Master's last published report and 
 he would see that the junk tonnage had fallen off. In fact Mr 
 Thomsett had said that, considering the system of cruising 
 which was carried on about the island, it was surprising it kept 
 up at all. The figures for last year were less than for the year 
 previous, and as far as he knew they were likely to be less in 
 the current year. (Hear, hear.) 
 
 Mr Welsh, of Messrs. E. McGregor & Co , asked how it hap- 
 pened that, if the native trade was falling off, the rent of native 
 merchant hongs was increasing ? He knew of a case in which 
 the rent of a hong had increased from $95 to $105 per 7nensem. 
 It was the same all over the Colony and, if the trade was decreas- 
 ing, how could that fact be explained? 
 
 The Hon. J. Whittall said he might express his views of 
 the position of the Colony at the present moment. His business 
 was not the smallest, and he believed he had as good means as 
 most people of ascertaining what was going on. He had tried 
 to ascertain whether trade was suffering in consequence of the 
 blockade ; but he had not heard a single complaint from any 
 legitimate dealer. He knew there were squeezers in the country, 
 but the blockade of this port — as it is called — had nothing to do 
 with that. The Chinese were simply collecting the dues to 
 which they were entitled, and putting junks on the same foot- 
 ing as steamers — the tax being collected from junks here and 
 from steamers at Canton, Although, no doubt, some irregula- 
 rities might crop up, still they could not say the grievance was 
 as represented. He might be wrong about the junk trade, and 
 possibly it had fallen off; but there might be other reasons for 
 
that. But what were the facts as to the increased value of pro- 
 perty here ? He had sold property during the last few weeks, 
 and the prices realised were a considerable advance on what had 
 been obtained during the past five years. The import trade of 
 Hongkong this year was also greater than during the correspon- 
 ding period of last year. Therefore, he could not see how the 
 trade of the place was falling off. The Chinese did not make a 
 vessel pay duty a second time. So far as he had been able to 
 ascertain, if a junk wants to clear this port, she has only to get a 
 permit, specifying her cargo ; then the duty being paid, it is not 
 levied a second time at the port of destination. If a vessel were 
 going on legitimate business, she was not again interfered with, 
 but she was if found smuggling. He knew there were many Chi- 
 nese at Hongkong simply for the facilities for smugghng. But 
 it would, never do to encourage trade here at the expense of the 
 Chinese Government What was the state of Hongkong before 
 the war of 1856 ? There was nothing like the trade there is at 
 the present moment. Why was that ? Many Chinamen came 
 here because of the facilities for smuggling. China saw the 
 difficulty, and asked that a Consul should be appointed here. 
 He, amongst others, refused it. He now believed that, had the 
 request been granted, many of the difficulties which had occur- 
 red would not have arisen. He objected to a Consul, because 
 the Chinese had no custom-house, and he thought it would be 
 the means of introducing custom-houses But the Chinese were 
 wide awake enough. When they found they could not collect 
 legitimate dues they established — what they were perfectly 
 justified in doing — custom-houses in their own waters. He was 
 told there was a Chinese custom-house at Hongkong. He 
 thought that ought not to be allowed, but at the same time it 
 might be well to ask for a proper officer representing the Chi- 
 nese Government, that the authorities might communicate with 
 him, lay all complaints before him, and ask for redress. Our 
 Government should exert themselves and not allow the Chinese 
 to encroach, but we ought not to seek to prevent them collecting 
 their legitimate dues He repeated that there is no blockade of 
 the port, and that the falling off of the trade of Hongkong has 
 nothing to do with this matter. All Chinese merchants in- 
 terested in foreign trade would say the same. At all events he 
 believed they were satisfied with the present arrangement, which 
 is a protection to the honest merchant, and a disadvantage only 
 to the dishonest one. (Applause.) 
 
 Mr Karberg, of Messrs. Arnhold Karberg .& Co., seconded 
 the resolution, which, on being put, was carried by an over- 
 whelming majority, only seven voting against it, 
 
Mr. HyriI'; said the second resolution liad been put into his 
 hands to lay before the meeting. His remarks upon it would 
 be very short indeed, as it was well known that in other places 
 he had strongly deprecated the blockade of Hongkong. What- 
 ever might have fallen from the gentleman who had spoken on 
 the other side, he could only say that his own opinion and in- 
 formation wei'e totally the reverse Not only had one Chinese 
 dealer spoken to him of tliis matter, but several dozen had 
 complained of the port being hampered in the way it was. 
 Respecting what had been said about the demand that there 
 was for Chinese property in Hongkong, the reason which had 
 always been given to him, and which he believed to be the 
 con-ect one, was, that trade in the interior had been so bad, 
 and capitalists were so chary of investing thei)' money in the 
 country, because they had so little confidence in their man- 
 darins or their government, that they came to Hongkong and 
 bid against each other for Chinese house property. Knowing 
 that some return at least could be got from such investments, 
 they were quite content if they could only get a small interest, 
 six per cent or even less than that, for their money, and were 
 content to invest it in that way here, rather than put it in the 
 native banks at Canton. With respect to the I'esolution which 
 had been put in his hands, there had been a demand for facts 
 with regard to it. He did not think anyone could deny the 
 fact that stations existed outside the harbour, and he did not 
 think anyone would deny that there were Chinese gunboats 
 in the harbour, because one was lying only some two hundred 
 yards from where they were assembled. As regarded the 
 smaller vessels, he had seen with his own eyes steam launches 
 at the East end of the harbour pursuing junks out of the limits. 
 They lie in wait and watch the junks, taking care not to board 
 them in daylight when in our waters, but seize on them the 
 moment they are without the limits. The other day when 
 coming from Canton he saw the same thing done at the west- 
 end of the harbour by a Hakow boat which, with a six oared gig 
 in company, was commanded by a European. This vessel lay 
 very near the confines of the harbour ; and as the junks came 
 out she followed them, came up with them, and then the gig 
 boarded every junk. There could be no doubt about that. 
 He would now say something about the gunboats generally, a 
 subject which some years since was taken notice of by the 
 Chamber of Commerce, and several letters were written to 
 more than one Consul on the matter. In all these lethirs, th<y 
 steadily avoided saying anything about the votsels being 
 erriploycd for revenue puiposes. They said Ihcy had sane- 
 
10 I 
 
 tiohed these vessels because they had been useful in putting 
 down piracy, and protecting wrecks In one letter which he 
 himself had received from Mr. Hughes, that gentleman said that 
 none of these gunboats were ever likely to be used to menace 
 Macao or to blockade that port It was now known that they 
 had blockaded Macao, and that they had blockaded Hongkong 
 also. The great mistake which the Government of this Colony 
 had made was in recognising these vessels as ships of war. On 
 that plea they were allowed to enter the harbour, and clear 
 any hour of the day or night they pleased. That gave them 
 an opportunity of doing whatever they wished. They might 
 just as well be stationed in the harbour if this was permitted. 
 It was distinctly laid down in the new Harbour Ordinance that 
 no vessel was to leave wdthout anchor passes or permits. "Was 
 it right that any vessel that chose to hoist a little bit of yellow 
 rag with something like a dragon painted on it should be 
 allowed to do whatever she liked in this harbour ? He did not 
 see why the Government of the Colony should not legislate 
 specially with regard to these vessels, and necessitate their 
 observing some regulations. He did not think many of those 
 present supposed that these vessels were ships-of-war ; if they 
 were ships-of-war, they behaved as ships-of-war behaved in no 
 other port of the woi-ld. What would be said if an English 
 man-of-war went into Havre, and the moment she saw an Eng- 
 lish vessel start, immediately followed hei", boarded and squeez- 
 ed her ? Did they think the French Government would put 
 np with that for a moment ? Certainly not. They would say 
 that if these v?ere the proceedings of English men-of-war they 
 would make special regulations in regard to them. (Applause.) 
 The harbour regulations here at present did not touch these 
 Chinese vessels, and he thought the sooner they did so the bet- 
 ter. (Applause.) He had no more to say, except that this 
 was the only port in China where this sort of thing was carried 
 on. One gentlemen who had spoken referred to the port of 
 Shanghai. There must be a lot of small places on- the Yangtsze 
 where smuggling could be carried on. Why then should they 
 adopt the system of blockade here only. He did not think 
 there was anything of the kind at Fooehow, and though there 
 were war vessels there, they were not engaged in this sort of 
 business. He then proposed the following resolution : 
 
 "That the establishment by the Hoppo of Canton of three 
 Stations at Foo-tow Moon, Capsing Moon, and Chun Chow,* 
 covering the approaches to this harbour, and assisted by steam 
 gun vessels, attended by armed steam launches, these latter 
 
 * Soe Map. 
 
11 
 
 being allowed, contrary to the laws of the Colony, to move 
 about at their pleasure, in and out of the harbour, at all hours 
 of the day or night, in pursuit of junks, constitutes an effectual 
 blockade, the evils of which are increasing every day, and are 
 manifested by a great diminution of the junk trade and con- 
 sequent withdrawal of general business from the Colony." 
 
 Mr Welsh said the resolution stated that the manner in which 
 these launches went about the harbour was against the law of 
 the Colony. Would Mr. Ryrie move that the Government be 
 asked to put the law Into force. If he would do so, he (Mr. 
 Welsh) would second him. 
 
 Mr. Ryrie said he denied the vessels were ships-of war, or 
 that they had a right to be considered as ships-ot-war. 
 
 Mr. J. F, CoRDES of Messrs W. Pustau & Co. seconded the 
 resolution, which was put and cairied with one dissentient. 
 
 Mr. E R. Belilios then proposed the following resolution : — 
 
 "That the levy and collection in Hongkong, at an es- Kesoiution he. 
 tablishment open for the purpose, by the agent of the Hoppo, of 
 toll upon the Harbour Gates; and the systematic overhaul, 
 in this behalf, of Chinese junks on nearing or departing from 
 the port, by steam gun vessels, the Peng Chou Hai ^:''l'|'|'/$ and 
 others, anchored opposite to stations in the East, West, and 
 South passages,* is a flagrant and unparalleled breach of inter- 
 national usage, alike unbearable by the inhabitants of this 
 Colony, and injurious to Foreign and Native interests." 
 
 He said he had very little to add to what had fallen from 
 Mr. Ryrie. He thought no one would deny that the position 
 of this Colony compared unfavourably with the treaty ports^ 
 They had had wars with China, and ports had beea opened,, 
 but these proceedings on the part of the Chinese had placed 
 Hongkong in a worse position than any of them, which, he was; 
 sure the framers of the treaty never contemplated. He trusted 
 that the proceedings which would ensue upon that meeting 
 would be the means of causing measm'es to be taken to remedy 
 .the evil (Applause). 
 
 Mr. Welsh asked if theChairman could tell him the difference 
 between the $4 charged by the Hoppo for the clearance of junks 
 from this Colony, and the $2| charged by the American Consul 
 for the Consular stamp on every invoice of goods shipped to 
 America from Hongkong ? 
 
 The Chairman said he was sorry he could not, but he couM 
 not see how that affected the question now before the meeting. 
 
 * See Map. 
 
12 
 
 Mv. Welsh said it ^v:^H a qaesiion of principle The Consul 
 levied S2t, in Hongkong: the Hoppo did the same, and lie (Mr. 
 ^V'elsh) could not see what was the difference. 
 
 Mr. K Walker held there was this difference: that the action 
 of the Chinese amounted to an invasion of the independence of 
 British territory. He understood that that meeting had been 
 called for the discussion of the cruiser question, and they came 
 there with the full conviction that the facts of the case were al- 
 ready well known, and generally accepted. However, the 
 Harbour Master and the Chamber of Commerce were the stand- 
 ard authorities in anything relating to the shipping and trade 
 respectively of Hongkong, and their statistics must be taken 
 (Applause). No one objected to the Chinamen levying the re- 
 venue, and taking steps for its proper collection, but such steps 
 must not interfere with the jurisdiction of another power. 
 Twenty years ago at home the coast guard and revenue cruisers 
 were under the control of the customs, but they did not go into 
 the English Channel and stop vessels They had stations on 
 shore which commanded a good view, and it was only where 
 vessels committed a breach of the revenue laws that the coast- 
 guard cruisers seized upon them. Mr. Ryrie had given an 
 illustration of what the feeling of the French Government 
 would be if an English vessel levied duties on a ship coming 
 from any of the ports on the coast of France. But he would 
 bring the case closer home to the British Government. Close 
 on the shore of France were the Channel Islands. There the 
 French language was spoken and the inhabitants were of 
 French origin. What would England say if the French Go- 
 vernment were to have a set of cruisers at one of the ports of 
 these islands stopping every vessel entering or leaving. He 
 need not go into the question of the depression of trade. Many 
 causes had been at work to bring this about, but this meeting 
 had decided that one of these causes was the action of the 
 cruisers outside. (Applause). 
 
 Mr. Hoppius, of Messrs. Sierassen & Co., seconded the re- 
 Bolution proposed by Mr. Belilios, which was carried unani- 
 mously. 
 
 . Mr. J. S. Lapraik, of Messrs. Douglas Lapraik & Co., pro- 
 posed the next resolution as follows :— 
 
 Resolution IV. "That the proceedings of the Hoppo of Canton are In 
 
 direct conljravention of the letter of Her Majesty's invitation to 
 trade at Hongkong, dated 7th June, 184 1,*' of the spirit of the 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
13 
 
 Treaty of Peace between Great Britain and China, of the 
 26th June, 1858 and 24th October, lb60,* of the Proclamation 
 by the Chinese Govemnaent, dated 6th February, 1869,t and of 
 the practice of all civiUsed nations ; and, as a consequence, 
 most inirhical to British prestige in Hongkong and the neigh- 
 bouring Provinces of China, the impression being general, on 
 account of the prominent part taken by Englishmen J in tlie 
 matter, that the system is connived at by the British Govern- 
 ment, which is powerless to resist it." 
 
 He said the Chinese had been invited to trade in the Colony 
 by Sir Henry Pottinger, and now the proclamation declaring the 
 port free was being following up by a blockade. In 1868-9 a 
 proclamation was issued by the Viceroy of Canton, ordering 
 that these revenue cruisers be withdrawn. They were with- 
 drawn for about a year, but afterwards came back again. He 
 believed that that proclamation was still in existence, and he 
 thought the Colonial Government should be called upon to 
 insist upon its being carried out. With regard to the trade of 
 the Colony, he stated that the value of Chinese property had 
 been enhanced merely on account of its becoming a means of 
 investment and not on account of trade. The Chinese felt that 
 investing their money here was safer than in their own country. 
 (Applause). 
 
 Mr. DoLAN, of Messrs. McEwen, Frickel & Co., seconded 
 the resolution, which was put to the meeting, and carried nem. 
 con. 
 
 Mr. N. B. Dennys, Editor of the " China Mail" in rising to 
 move the next resolution, said that an Hon. speaker had made 
 remarks tending to show that Hongkong had no just cause of 
 complaint. Now, he thought he might fairly remind that 
 gentleman that the bringing together of two hundred residents 
 of Hongkong on a working afternoon was evidence either of 
 some strong cause of complaint, or that at least they believed 
 there was. (Hear, hear.) In either case, it was certainly most 
 desirable that the matter should be thoroughly ventilated. So 
 much had been said about the actual injuries inflicted on trade, 
 that he did not intend going into them. What had been said 
 upon that point by abler speakers, in the Chamber of Commerce, 
 in the daily journals, and in social conversation, made going 
 further into it unnecessay. He had thought everyone would 
 admit there was a certain amount of grievance; and he must 
 say he was surprised at the language of one or two gentlemen, 
 who seemed to think no great harm was being done. Kefer- 
 
 • Article 25, see Appendix, t See Appendix. J See Appendix. Gun-boats 
 
14 
 
 ence had been made to the great rise in the value of Chinese 
 property. But he was sure that no one would say that the 
 consideration of Chinese interests had brought them together. 
 Indeed, such a rise did not touch the point as to whether there 
 had been a faUing-pfFin European property and in the means 
 of making money. Mr Whittall had said — and he must acknow- 
 ledge with perfect truth — that the Chinese were justified 
 in levying duties in certain positions ; but he thought he had 
 overlooked the very important fact that the cruisers, placed 
 at the entrances of the Harbour, levy duties not only on vessels 
 going to Canton but on vessels going to other places, 
 such as Macao, where no duties are paid. Now although inter- 
 ference with the trade of Macao is not of sufficient importance 
 to ourselves to make it a specific cause of complaint, yet it 
 must certainly be reckoned amongst others. But, apart from 
 whether Chinese cruisers do any harm or not, there was the 
 matter of international courtesy involved in having armed 
 vessels placed at the entrances of the Harbour, overhauling 
 other vessels and levying duty upon them, which would alone 
 justify very strong comment ; and we did not rightly know who 
 was responsible. It was this intangibility which made the 
 levies doubly irritating. We did not know whom to "kick at" 
 except that vague entity known as the " Chinese Government." 
 To get at that we had to get the Governor, to get the Consul, to 
 get the Viceroy, to get the Hoppo, to get somebody else, to 
 enquire about a gunboat levying illegal taxes ; and in taking all 
 these different steps the matter got lost sight of before anything 
 was ever done. What we wanted was immediate action. 
 (Applause.) He did not wish to detain the meeting ; but there 
 were one or two things which ought to be pointed out. They 
 must recognise certain facts, one of which had been already 
 clearly set forth by Mr Whittall. What were the obstacles to 
 their being relieved of this incubus, which was to a gi-eat extent 
 strangling the trade of the Colony ? Was it our own helpless- 
 ness ? No ; for we are as strong now as ever. We had only to 
 send out half a dozen gunboats and we might send the cruisers 
 
 to Canton or anywhere. Nor was it the indiffei'ence of the 
 
 local authorities, for he believed there always had been, on the 
 part of the officials, a strong feeling that we were hardly dealt 
 with in this matter. They admitted that it was extremely 
 irritating. What then was the reason of it? He would go 
 further back than Mr Eyrie and say it was not our recognition 
 of the revenue cruisers as men-of-war, but our unreserved re- 
 cognition of sovereign rights on the part of China, who did not 
 know how to use them in accordance with the rules of inter- 
 
15 
 
 national courtesy. Still we had put ourselves in this position, 
 and anything we could do must start from the basis that we 
 acknowledged China's right to act as she did in her own ter- 
 ritory, and that we had, at all events tacitly, recognised her 
 cruisers as " men-of-war." No provision had ever been made 
 lor the possibility of China having a fleet which might interfere 
 with our trade Yet China had now armed men of- war cruis- 
 ing within our jurisdiction ; and there was nothing in inter- 
 national law to show that what she was doing was wrong. At 
 the same time there was a great grievance, and if we could show 
 a clear case it should be removed. Of course our Government 
 did not want to see the trade oppressed ; but we must consider 
 whether China is not acting within her powers, and whether 
 these cruisers were exceeding their rights. Three alternatives 
 were open to do away with this state of affairs. One was to 
 have a Chinese agent appointed here. But this was most 
 unpopular ; the sense of the mercantile community was so 
 thoroughly against it, that it was hardly worth discussion at 
 the meeting. The second and more practical course was that 
 the cruisers and gunboats should be put under the authority of 
 the Foreign Maritime Customs. This would secure compara- 
 tive honesty of collection, but the fatal difficulty — so well 
 pointed out recently by a correspondent of the Daily Press — was 
 that the Chinese would persist in treating Hongkong, and Can- 
 ton, and Formosa and Chekiang, or other provinces, as separate 
 states for fiscal purposes ; and would still leave the matter in a 
 condition most unfair to local interests. The third course, 
 which to the speaker seemed the best, was to call on China to 
 act in the same way as other civilised powers, and induce her 
 to put her revenue cruisers, authorized to levy taxes, opposite 
 the entrances of her ports, and establish a guard-boat service 
 only for the coast line, to prevent illicit landing for smuggling 
 purposes, but not to seize junks bound out. The speaker had 
 carefully searched the pages of all available writers on Interna- 
 tional Law but could find nothing regarding such " bottling 
 up " jurisdiction as the Chinese exercised at the entrances of 
 Hongkong, except a single sentence in Vattel. That writer 
 had remarked that as quarrels must always ensue in such cases, 
 all civillized nations made Conventions as to their mutual 
 powers. We had no Convention with China as to this matter, 
 and this was a vital mistake. Hongkong of course was only 
 concerned about her own immediate neighbourhood, and the 
 Chinese need only maintain such a service below the Bogue. 
 The speaker's primary object was to move a resolution asking 
 the Government to use prompt action to do away with the 
 
u 
 
 blockade. But he thought that with this some effective sug- 
 gestion should also be made ; and having stated what appeared 
 to him almost the only course that would meet all views, while 
 preserving the rights of Chinese sovereignty untouched, be beg- 
 ged to move the following resolution : — 
 
 " That, as Hongkong is entirely without internal re- 
 source and absolutely dependent upon free communication, 
 prompt and decisive action is required to avert the impending 
 annihilation of her trade, when her revenue must speedily de- 
 cline, and the Island again bfecome, as in former years, largely 
 dependent upon the mother country." 
 
 Mr C. M. Kerr, Manager Oriental Bank Corporation, 
 seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. 
 
 Mr A. F. Heard, of Messrs. Augustine Heard & Co., said 
 there was one point he wished to bring "for wardj and that was 
 the fact that they had some cause of complaint against somebody, 
 and while they might differ in detail, they were all agreed as to 
 what it was. The entire population of the Colony, belonging to 
 almost every nationality under the sun, were represented at the 
 meeting. Not only were they agreed as foreigners, bvit strong 
 evidence existed of the sympathy between them, and also that 
 the Chinese residents of the Colony had the same opinions, as 
 shown by the fact that eighteen Chinese merchants had signed 
 the petition sent home upon the subject ; and the fact that so 
 many Chinamen could be induced to testify to the existence of 
 a wrong on the part of their Government was a proof that 
 something more than an ordinary grievance existed, that there 
 was a wrong which demanded an immediate remedy, and that 
 prompt measures should be taken for its removal. They knew 
 that strong pressure must be brought upon Chinese to induce 
 them to come forward, but it was well to state this, as people at 
 home might not be able to appreciate the fact. The Chinese 
 here were either directly or indirectly in the hands of their 
 officials, who had the means of coercing their countrymen on 
 the mainland. He begged to propose—* 
 
 "That this meeting cordially sympathizes with the objects 
 of the Petition to Her Majesty the Queen by Chinese merchants,* 
 and the memorial of the Chamber of Commerce to the Right 
 Honorable the Earl of Clarendon,* believing that the statements 
 which they contain are substantially correct ; and that the peti- 
 tion would have borne many more signatures, but for the 
 almost universal apprehension in which the Hongkong natives 
 
 ' See Apjf Gudix. 
 
17 
 
 dwell for the safety of their families in China ; that this dread 
 causes them to have an almost insuperable objection to testify- 
 in public to the unscrupulous exactions of the Chinese Customs 
 and their officials." 
 
 Mr. Granville Sharp, of Messrs Sharp & Co., said that we 
 were all of us in pain ; that we suffered. If any one at the 
 meeting said we did not, were we to believe him? Every 
 man, woman, and child, and almost every animal had the 
 power of expressing suffering, and by the tone of its cry, 
 either petulant, irritable, angry, earnest or indifferent, showed 
 the nature and degree of its suffering. No cry of real suffering 
 should be disregarded and no wise parent and no benig- 
 nant and paternal Government would hesitate to give heed 
 to the earnest and almost unanimous appeal of the 
 people, made in accordance with every constitutional 
 principle. He would hope that the almost unanimous 
 voice of the meeting and the tone and manner in which its 
 views would be expressed would have an effect, not only upon 
 its immediate subject, but upon the whole world-wide China, 
 question. The English Government had manifested of late 
 years a decidedly pacific policy. Forbearance was no doubt a 
 noble quality, and as manifested toward China by Great 
 Britain was based upon the idea that China was weak and Eng- 
 land strong. We, on the contrary, in all our intercourse with 
 the people amongst whom we dwell, whether commercial, 
 domestic or social, find that the converse is the case — 
 that Englishmen are weak and that the Chinese are strong 
 (Applause). The pacific Home policy is shown in all the trans- 
 actions of the Diplomatic, Colonial, and Consular officials, of 
 which it is simply a reflection. If you send an agent ten thou- 
 sand miles to represent you, you accept his statements and are 
 influenced by his opinion. We cannot blame the Home 
 Government for being influenced in this manner, and we can- 
 not wonder that the Colonial Authorities should yield to the 
 weight and pressure of the whole tenour of the poHcy at home. 
 The Chief Superintendency of Trade should never have been 
 removed from Hongkong (Hear, hear). He said this with all 
 deference to the Shanghai merchants, quite our equals in intel- 
 ligence and superior in public spirit, very many of whom 
 would join with us in this expression of opinion. We knew 
 very well that there was much scope for diplomacy in trade, 
 but trade had Kttle connection with diplomacy. The French 
 had no monopoly of the sentiment that trade is very "low." 
 Trade might be very low, but it might also be very high 
 and noble, just according to the principles by which it is 
 
18 
 
 directed. England, America, and Germany have increasing 
 intei'ests in the China trade. Indeed their interests were al- 
 most exclusively commercial. This trade in Cliina was not 
 only for ourselves, but closely affected the thousand factories 
 and the million-handed cotton industry of the North of Eng- 
 land. Trade low indeed ! — ^it was the salvation of the world, 
 employing millions, feeding milUons, cheering millions, saving 
 millions. Employment awakens hope, and we are saved by 
 hope (Applause). In 1869, it was the Kum-shun-Ung }\xak which 
 was taken forcibly to Canton, and handed over to the authori- 
 ties, after the torture of the master and steersman. This led to 
 a movement by the Government of this Colony, and the issue 
 in consequence by Jui, the Viceroy of the Two Kwang, of a 
 Proclamation containing the following passage : " It has of late 
 been ascertained that certain evil -disposed persons have falsely 
 assumed the character of cruisers in the Customs' service, and 
 have stopped trading vessels at sea, levying exactions from 
 them at their own caprice, exciting thereby alarm among those 
 interested in the said vessels, and causing a stoppage of naviga- 
 tion, to the great detriment of the mercantile community. 
 Such conduct is deserving of the severest reprobation. The 
 Viceroy and Superintendent of Customs have now, according- 
 ly, decided in concert upon stringent measures for the seizure 
 of the guilty persons, and the complete eradication of their 
 manoeuvres. If, after this, there still be evil disposed persons 
 who fraudulently assume the character of cruisers under the 
 Superintendent of Customs' flag, and stop trading vessels for the 
 purpose of levying exactions, they are (hereby declared as) dif- 
 fering in no respect from pirates." This proclamation was issued 
 by the Viceroy upon the representations made by the Hong- 
 kong Government, and an investigation made thereupon by 
 the Chinese authorities into the merits of the case. It is an 
 unqualified acknowledgment by the Viceroy in 1869 of the 
 existence of the very evils of which in 1874 we have 
 again to complain. This proclamation, will be found at 
 length in the "Chamber of Commerce Report" for May 1869, 
 together with a relation of the circumstances which 
 drew it forth.* It removed the evil for some years, but in 1874 
 it was the Kum-hop-sinq junk which was similarly treated. If 
 like measures were now taken there can be little doubt that the 
 Chinese Government would again prohibit the exactions of 
 their subordinates from which we are now suflFering. We 
 must endeavour to keep clearly before our minds the marked 
 distinction between the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs, 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
19 
 
 which are legal and provided for by treaty, and these Hoppo's 
 squeezes, which are illegal and unscrupulous. On the 7th 
 June, 1841, appeared Sir Charles Elliot's proclamation, entitled 
 *' Invitation to Chinese Traders," which runs: "It is hereby 
 declared to the merchants and traders of Canton and all parts 
 of the Empire that they and their ships have free permission to 
 resort to and trade at the port of Hongkong, where they will 
 receive full protection from the high officers of the British nation ; 
 and Hongkong being on the shores of the Chinese Empire, nei- 
 ther will there be any charge upon Imports and Exports to the 
 British Government." If the proclamation had stopped there, 
 it might have been read simply to implv that duties would not 
 be levied by Great Britain ; but the following paragraph gave 
 it a lar wider scope : " And it is clearly declared that there will 
 be an immediate embargo upon the port of Canton and all the 
 large ports of the Empire, it there be the least obstruction to 
 the freedom of trade and intercourse with the port of Hong- 
 kong." On the same page of the Gazette there is another no- 
 tice bearing the same date, 7th June, 1841, announcing the first 
 land sale of 100 marine and 100 inland lots. He was quite 
 sure that the Local Government and the Home Government 
 and everybody else would say that these two proclamations 
 were intended to be read together^ — that the promise of protec- 
 tion and free trade was intended to be reckoned upon by the 
 first purchasers and settlers in the Colony, and that the pro- 
 clamation was not without its force at the sale which followed 
 that day week. Trade in China has ever suffered from the 
 barriers and imposts by which its progress has been met and 
 impeded at every turn. Hongkong was meant to be a notable 
 exception, a free port was promised to the first Colonists and 
 the settlement was founded and grew up tinder the cegis and 
 promised protection of British power and supremacy. This 
 threat of embargo upon Canton lasted good for eight and twenty 
 years. The first attempt to interfere with this was met in 1869 
 most vigorously by the local Government, the armed cruisers 
 were at once withdrawn, a very stringent proclamation issued 
 shortly before for their encouragement was immediately an- 
 nulled, and another substituted, viz., that just quoted above, dated 
 6th February, 1869, in which His Excellency the Viceroy says, 
 " The Customs at present employ no steamers " — but on the 14th 
 September, 1874, the Hoppo, a subordinate oflScial, has no less 
 than four armed steam gun vessels carrying rifled ordnance, 
 some of very heavy cahbre ! The new Hoppo purchased the 
 Peng Chou Hai on his coming into office, and she being the 
 largest of the four, and the most formidable, is most active in 
 
20 
 
 the service. [Doubtless the attention of our watchful and active 
 Harbour Master would be afresh directed by the meeting to 
 this vessel, when she would be correctly classified, and our 
 obligations to her suitably acknowledged.] And all this in 
 the face of reiterated statements on the part of the Chinese, as 
 vouched for by the Hon. Mr. Eybie, that these gun vessels would not 
 be used for the very purposes to which they are now applied. Free 
 port indeed ! Just as ftee as Paris was when surrounded by the 
 Prussian lines. (Cheers.) The honourable member informed us at the 
 opening, that our complaints are entitled to no attention ; that our 
 grievances are baseless ; that trade is prosperous, and that the junk 
 trade has increased. The Harbour Master's report of 28th March 
 last told a different story. He said that the junk trade had de- 
 clined, and expressed his surprise that it was not utterly extinguished 
 in consequence of the harassment to which it is subject at the har- 
 bour mouths.* The Hon. gentleman, upon being shown a copy of 
 the Harbour Master's Eeport, said he supposed then it must have 
 diminished and not increased. The speaker thought that the 
 opinion of an individual, even of high position, who might have 
 interests of far greater importance elsewhere than in this place, was 
 less entitled to consideration than those of almost the whole body 
 of merchants and traders present, whose principal, and in many 
 cases, whole property, was at stake in this Colony. It had been 
 mentioned also that propei-ty had increased in value. He was in 
 hopes that the property question would not have been raised, as he 
 did not think this meeting was calculated immediately to improve 
 its value. The speaker had still some remnants of property, and 
 had moreover an extensive acquaintance with the same, and he 
 believed that the improvement in Chinese houses was mainly 
 owing to the badness of trade, people preferring to invest at a very 
 low rate of interest to venturing upon business transactions with a 
 great chance of loss. 
 
 He thought our local trade would show more manifest de- 
 cadence, but for the unprecedentedly low rate of steamer freights. 
 Tou could send a bag of pepper to Shanghai for as little as you 
 could carry it from East to West Point in Hongkong, and it would 
 cost you as little to convey a ton of sugar to San Francisco as to 
 carry it to Victoria Peak. In England the railways are de- 
 pendent on the horse roads as feeders, and steamers are dependent in 
 the same manner upon Chinese junks. We had formerly a fleet of 
 some 200 fishing boats which used to bring in their cargoes of fish 
 and exchange them for foreign goods. By these a laxge business was 
 constantly transacted. At the present time the number isnearertwenty 
 than two hundred. An earnest desire was manifested by the most 
 
 * See Appendix, 
 
21 
 
 conscientious merchants in the Colony to obtain positive proof of the 
 cruel exactions of which we continually hear ; and this led to a 
 remark upon one of the most hopeless anomalies of our position, 
 and points to the grave error which has been committed in grant- 
 ing reciprocal privileges to the Chinese Empire, throughout which 
 truth is not only habitually disregarded, but her inhabi- 
 tants, from the highest official to the lowest cooHe, appear to 
 be utterly incapable of understanding the social as well as the moral 
 necessity for truth. This sentiment would hardly be understood 
 by people in England, who would probably regard almost with 
 suspicion the statement that a large number of their fellow-country- 
 men, long resident in China, have grave doubts as to whether Chi- 
 nese testimony is admissable at all. It may, however, doubtless be 
 accepted as collateral proof Facts which come up in casual con- 
 versation, supported by different and disinterested parties, at times 
 and under circumstances where they can have no interest to deceive, 
 are far stronger than the oath of a Chinese junkman taken on a 
 cock's head in our Coui-ts of Justice. There are the four gunboats 
 belonging to the Hoppo ; besides many anned Chinese built vessels, 
 some of them steamers ; there are the three stations, Eoo-tow 
 Moon, Kap-sing Moon, and Chung-chow ; there is the undoubted 
 overhaul of every- native craft as it passes the Harbour line — altoge- 
 ther an admirable arrangement for squeezing, and there is constant 
 testimony indirectly to the facts. The Chinese are not in the habit, 
 as a rule, of making foreigners parties to their troubles. We all 
 know that squeezing is a synonym of power in China, that it is a 
 Chinaman's instinct of life to squeeze, and that exactions are habi- 
 tually submitted to on almost every transaction that is made. Are 
 these very often — we may almost say they are never — brought 
 thoroughly to light ? A most oppressive case came under the 
 speaker's notice at Canton on the 26th August, inflicted on a Hong- 
 kong man, and he had intended to lay the full particulars before 
 this meeting. But that he might not weary them he would merely 
 mention that he obtained every particular — names, places, times, &c., 
 andbroughtthe piece of T-Cloth home on which the squeeze hadbeen 
 imposed. The whole case, however, rests on Chinese testimony, and 
 hence is of less value than the simple statement of the missionary- 
 friend with whom he was living in Shameen, who acted as interpreter 
 for him with the Chinaman, and who believed the statement to be 
 true. He asked him whether he would not get back the money for 
 the man, who was on a visit to the servants of his next door neigh- 
 bour. He answered " These matters come before me every week, 
 and I should have nothing else to do." Lately the speaker had 
 attempted on more than one occasion, note-book and pencil in 
 hand, to gather more exact particulars of cases of squeezing out- 
 
22 
 
 side the harbour, which had been mentioned to him casually. The 
 very effort to particularise, and to take note of the circumstances 
 had shut his informants' mouths entirely ; and he believed the same 
 men, if forced into a Court of Justice, would probably deny aU 
 knowledge of the circumstance whatever. The junk people know 
 there is little chance of help. From long experience they dread aU 
 reference to the authorities, and junk-men generally, quite ignorant 
 of English law, dread our magistrates as much as their own. One 
 of the principal dangers of the system consists in the extreme readi- 
 ness of the Chinese to be squeezed — they are so thoroughly accus- 
 tomed to it. The worst feature connected with this enquiry is the 
 dread of the Chinese officials in which the Chinese residents in 
 Hongkong dwell. (Applause). Our applied power seems insufficient 
 to protect them, or at any rate to inspire confidence ; and our whole 
 position with regard to the Chinese Grovernment is not understood, 
 or rather it is wholly misunderstood by nine-tenths of the popula- 
 tion of this Colony. Those eighteen Chinese who signed the 
 petition to our Queen, were suffering great anxiety of mind in con- 
 sequence, and he believed that they would pay $10,000 amongst 
 them to put the paper in the fire. "Would it be believed by the 
 good people at home that, since that petition had gone forward, 
 two Chinese mandarins, specially detailed for the purpose, had visit- 
 ed Hongkong in order to ascertain by any means within their power 
 the names of these eighteen signatories — with what object those 
 who are acquainted with the Chinese best know. The sad and 
 terrible case of threatened violence to one of our prominent Chinese 
 in which Lee-lum-kwai stands arraigned* for the attempt to extort 
 $5,000 under the threat of giving up this poor man into the hands 
 of the Swatow authorities, who have already taken off his brother's 
 head — this happening in the heart of this Colony — and the overt 
 piracy and murder on board the Sparh on the, for many years, peace- 
 ful and quiet Canton Eiver, were, he believed, the outcome of the 
 forbearing policy of our Home Grovernment, which stood by, year 
 after year, whilst our privileges, which it had solemnly promised by 
 Royal Proclamation to protect, were ruthlessly invaded : the long 
 struggling and of late successful Colony is again cast down by the 
 stoppage of the free flow of her trade, and on account of these 
 things, the power and resources of Grreat Britain are becoming 
 almost despised in China. (Applause). If appeals to the interests of 
 Lancashire and Yorkshire are insufficient, let it not be supposed 
 that on this side our little island of Hongkong, with its 100,000 
 inhabitants, is alone concerned. There are the three southern pro- 
 vinces of China, also Hainan, Tonquin, and part of Cambodia — the 
 
 * The prisoner in question was sentenced to penal servitude for Kfe on the 5th October 
 following. See Appendix. Chief Justice Sir John Smale's Judgment. 
 
23 
 
 greater portion of which draw what little they do consume of 
 foreign imports from Hongkong. If we had free trade and these 
 100,000,000 customers, would shirtings and shares be at their pre- 
 sent prices? (Cheers.) Let our Home Government, our good Queen, 
 in whose name on the 7th June, 1841, free trade was guaranteed, 
 open the doors of Ly-ee Moon, Foo-tow Moon, Cap-sing Moon — 
 "moon" being the Chinese for door. According to the learned 
 Webster, the primary meaning of door is a " thrusting through," 
 a " passage." These Harbour openings are Heaven's own doors, 
 not to be shut day nor night, simply narrowed by Provi- 
 dence for protection from the elements. He said again, let our 
 strong G-overnment open them — by your leave, if you please — but 
 anyhow open them, by force if needed, as stated in Sir Charles 
 Elliot's proclamation, by an immediate embargo on the port of 
 Canton, and all the large ports of the Empire (loud cheers). It 
 means this, or it means nothing. It unquestionably meant free 
 trade ; for in 1 841 in England the public mind was much exercised 
 on this very subject. Lord Palmerston having gone out of office 
 with the Whigs upon the resignation of the Ministry on the 
 question of free trade in corn. Had Hongkong disqualified herself 
 by neglect of the advantages of free trade ? Have we not Docks, 
 Banks, Telegraphs, Gas, Hotels and Steam Lines enough? We 
 have been too enterprising. Are we not able to trade ? Is not 
 this great depot well stocked ? And our shops — Lane, Crawford's, 
 Lammert's, McEwen's, 500 feet long, filled with goods of the value of 
 hundreds of thousands of dollars ? Have we not docked H. M. S. 
 S. ' ' Iron Duke " and the Pacific mail steamers ? Foreigners are 
 not wanted in China for China to stand stiU, but for China to go 
 on. Unfortunately she is self-supporting — what she dispensed 
 with last year she will not take next in addition. She can make 
 stronger cloth than ours, and cheaper too, if the squeeze is added to 
 the price. The difficulties of the import Manchester trade will not 
 be lessened by the important increase of Tea cultivation in India, 
 or by the growth of Silk in New South Wales, when it attains to 
 increased proportions. The less of China Tea and Silk exported, 
 the fewer imports she will probably absorb, and if the export trade 
 be endangered by fresh competition, whilst that in imports is 
 harassed by oppressive duties, merchants had better give up China 
 altogether. At the Tea and Silk growths in our own British 
 Possessions we may well rejoice, whatever their effect on the China 
 Trade ; but with these import squeezes we cannot possibly put up. 
 Our Portuguese neighbours at Macao are as much concerned as we 
 are in this affair* and there can be no doubt that the Governor of 
 that settlement will be willing to cooperate with England in any 
 
 * See Appendix. Mr. H, 0. Brown Canton CommisBioner of Customs' Beport. 
 
24 
 
 movement she may make. We must all pull together, we mu^t 
 endeavour to help the Government, and he believed that, from the 
 moderate and earnest tone of this meeting, the Local Government 
 would not hesitate to do what it could to aid us in this matter. 
 One gentleman, whom the speaker had endeavoured to persuade to 
 attend the meeting, declined to come because the blockade does not 
 affect him. Although he has no houses, he has many shares, and the 
 speaker believed that every brick, every foot of ground, every share 
 in our commercial undertakings, would rise rapidly in value, when 
 this blockade is raised. By what present right does this blockade 
 exist, which did not apply during the twenty-eight years from 1841 
 to 1869 ? The Imperial Maritime Customs, provided for by treaty, 
 long before, did not recognize it, or why was it not sooner com- 
 menced ? And upon its first manifestation, it was at once checked 
 and withdrawn upon the remonstrance of the Hongkong Govern- 
 ment, the Viceroy altogether repudiating all right of the Hoppo thus 
 to hamper trade. Almost every educated man, be he American, Ger- 
 man, or English, desires action. If we only had a tangible enemy with 
 whom to contend, we would act as became men of resolution and deci- 
 sion. Were Hongkong environed by a formidable foe, as Leyden in 
 the 1 6th Century was surrounded by 10,000 Spanish troops under 
 the Duke of Alva,of notorious memory — were we similarly placed and, 
 like those heroic men, saw the alternatives before us of perishing 
 from starvation or repulsing the foe from our Harbour, we would, 
 like those noble Leyden citizens, with one voice declare, " We will 
 eat our left arms and fight with our right rather than surrender." 
 (Applause.) The relief of energetic action is, however,denied to us and 
 all we can do is to remonstrate, protest, petition and memorialise, 
 and this we must do, feeling the importance of the interests which 
 are at stake. He concluded by seconding Mr. Heard's resolution. 
 (Loud cheers). 
 
 Mr. Eyrie said he might state in corroboration of what had 
 been said as to the unwillingness of the Chinese to come forward 
 that they had great difiiculty, on this account, in obtaining evidence 
 for the recent Commission, the reason they gave being that it would 
 involve them and their families. 
 
 The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. 
 
 Mr. J. J. DOS Eemedios proposed the following resolution : — 
 Eesoiution vH. " That the Chairman convey to H. E. Sir Arthur Edward 
 
 Kennedy, K.C.M.G. and C.B., Governor and Yice- Admiral of Hong- 
 kong, the request of this meeting that, pending the receipt of replies 
 from home to communications already forwarded. His Excellency, 
 with a view to the abatement of the evil, will have the goodness, in 
 concert with Sir Brooke Eobertson, H.B.M. Consul at Canton to 
 
2) 
 
 bring under the notice of H. E. The Viceroy of the Two Kwang 
 Provinces, Jui, and the Superintendent of Maritime Customs for 
 Kwangtung, the outrageous and defiant manner in which H.E. the 
 Viceroy's Proclamation of 6th February, 1869,* is disregarded, with 
 the object of obtaining the issue of a fresh Proclamation on the 
 subject; and also take such steps in connexion with Admiral 
 Shadwell, C.B., P.E.S,, as may be necessary for the extirpation of 
 these ' nests of pirates ' from the Island seas, and the immediate and 
 final closing of the Hoppo's Agency opened in Hongkong for the col- 
 lection of imposts and issue of passes for the Harbour gates." 
 
 This was seconded by Mr. Eud. Jensen, of Messrs. John 
 BuRD & Co., and carried unamimously. 
 
 The Hon. E. Eowett of Messrs. Holliday Wise, & Co., said 
 that what had taken place at the meeting would not only show that 
 a unanimity had prevailed with respect to the resolutions which 
 had been passed, but that there was a strong feeling on the part of 
 the public on the subject of the blockade. He therefore begged to 
 propose the following resolution : — 
 
 " That the Chairman of this meeting do forward these Eeso- Eesointionvin. 
 lutions to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, asking that His 
 Excellency the Governor will have the goodness to transmit a copy 
 of the same to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the 
 Colonies, with the earnest request of this meeting, that Her 
 Majesty's Grovemment, who are alone competent to deal effectually 
 and permanently with the case, will take such steps as may be 
 necessary to secure the promised freedom of the Port and Harbour 
 of Hongkong." 
 
 He had not intended to say any more, but the remarks which 
 had fallen from some of the speakers should not be allowed to pass 
 without notice. In the first place the gentleman who had now left 
 the room spoke of the increase of the value of the property in 
 Hongkong. This was only true to a certain extent. Chinese 
 property in the West end of the town had no doubt advanced in 
 value, and this was very much owing to trade being so bad that 
 people having money put it into houses and land. The property 
 occupied by Europeans would, however, tell a very different tale, for 
 if the proprietor of any of them wished to sell he would get less 
 than he gave for his property. Perhaps the gentleman to whom 
 he had just referred could give a very sorry account of some very 
 valuable property under his charge. The value of Chinese property 
 had not only increased in this Colony, but had also increased in 
 Macao. Now that gentleman, who based his idea of the state of 
 
 * See Appendix. 
 
26 
 
 trade on the value of property, would scarcely say that that was the 
 case at Macao. He knew certainly that the value of many houses 
 there had increased of late years, because the Chinese were ready to 
 buy property to place their relations where they would be out of 
 the power of squeezing Mandarins. The same thing applied 
 exactly to Hongkong. China contained two classes, the governors 
 and the governed. The one class squeezes and the other is 
 squeezed, and the richer the subject the more certain was he to be 
 so. Many of the people who come to Hongkong do not want trade, 
 but desire peace and security; and they find under the governments 
 of Hongkong and Macao that their liberties are secured. Another 
 speaker had referred to the proposition of stationing a Chinese 
 Consul at Hongkong. That proposition was immediately opposed 
 by one of the wisest men we had ever had in Hongkong, Sir Richard 
 MacDonnell, who pointed out to the Home Government the troubles 
 that must ensue from a Chinese Consul being recognised in Hong- 
 kong. Such an official would at once represent a power in the 
 place. He would govern the Chinese, and, as they did not under- 
 stand all the details of English law, they would at once submit 
 themselves to his dictum. A Consul was an official accredited to a 
 foreign port to be in friendly relations with the authorities there, 
 and to act as mediator in case of dispute between the subjects of the 
 power he represents and those among whom he resides. That, he 
 thought, could never be the case of a Chinese Consul in Hongkong. 
 There would be little friendly relations manifested by him. He 
 would simply be a spy. His name might be Ahsin, and of such as 
 he Bret Harte, the poet, said:— 
 
 Ahsin was Ms name, 
 
 And I shall not deny, 
 In regard to the same, 
 
 What that name might imply. 
 
 He could not be trusted, the Chinese would be governed by him, and 
 they would be squeezed by his Yamen runners. He would in fact 
 be an enemy to the Grovernment of this place. As regarded the 
 blockade, he did not think anyone here objected to the Chinese 
 catching smugglers and preventing smuggling. But where 
 did the smuggling begin? Certainly not in these waters. 
 There was no Custom House here to evade. Why should 
 these people come here and watch the junks that are being loaded ? 
 They are not here in that capacity. The Customs' cruisers, which 
 are recognised by the Colonial Grovernment as men-of-war, were not 
 men-of-war at all. He was not aware that in any other country in 
 the world Customs' cruisers were received as men-of-war, and he 
 did not see why they should be here. We are asked for proofs of 
 the facts which are universally recognised. Probably the report late- 
 
27 
 
 ly sent in by the Commission of Enquiry into the Blockade con- 
 tained proofs of malpractices on the part of the Oruizers, but these 
 proofs are withheld from the public by the government. The Go- 
 vernment of Hongkong might be exceptionally placed, but he 
 thought that was a reason why the authorities should take excep- 
 tional care to preserve our trade (Applause.) 
 
 Mr. S. D. Sassoon, of Messrs David Sassoon, Sons & Co., said 
 he quite agreed with the opinions expressed by the last speaker, and 
 with much pleasure seconded the resolution, which was carried 
 unanimously. 
 
 Mr. M. W. BoTD, Manager, Chartered Bank of India, Australia 
 and China, then proposed the next resolution, as follows : — 
 
 "That the Chairman do forward copies of these resolutions Eesoiution rx. 
 and of the proceedings at this meeting to the several Chambers of 
 Commerce at Home, to Members of Parliament and others, with 
 the request that, in the general interests of the China Trade, they 
 will exert themselves to obtain for Hongkong a restitution of the 
 Commercial privileges granted by Koyal Proclamation on the 
 erection of the Colony." 
 
 Mr. H. L. Dalrymple, of Messrs Birley & Co., seconded this, 
 and it was passed. 
 
 The Chairman then said if any other gentleman had any 
 remarks to make, or anything to propose, he had now an opportu- 
 nity of doing so. He congratulated the community of Hongkong 
 on the interest which had been manifested on a subject which 
 materially concerned them, and he trusted that the meeting would 
 be productive of good results. 
 
 Mr. J. B. CouGHTRiE, Secretary of the China Fire Insurance Co., 
 proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was seconded by 
 Mr H. A. Mylne, of Messrs Adamson, Bell & Co., and was heartily 
 accorded. The meeting then separated. 
 
29 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 INVITATION TO CHINESE TRADERS. 
 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 (Extract.) 
 "By Charles Elliot, &c., &c., &c. It is hereby declared to 
 the merchants and traders of Canton and all parts of the 
 Empire, that they and their ships have free permission to resort 
 to and trade at the port of Hongkong, where they will receive 
 full protection from the high officers of the British nation : and 
 •'Hongkong being on the shores of the Chinese empire, neither 
 will there be any charges on imports and exports to the British 
 Government." 
 
 "And it is further clearly declared, that there will be an im- 
 mediate embargo upon the port of Canton and all the large 
 ports of the empire, if there be the least obstruction to the free- 
 dom of trade and intercourse with the port of Hongkong." 
 ***** 
 
 (Signed), CHARLES ELLIOT. 
 At Macao, this 7th day of June, 1841. 
 
 FIRST LAND SALE. 
 
 PUBLIC NOTICE. 
 
 "Notice is hereby given, that a sale of the annual quit-rent 
 of 100 lots of land having water frontage will take place at 
 Hongkong on Saturday the 12th instant: as also of 100 town 
 or suburban lots. The dimensions of the respective lots will be 
 specified and defined on the spot by the Commanding Officer of 
 Engineers, to whom parties are referred for further particulars. 
 The titles will be delivered on payment of the rent: and the 
 mininum value of the buildings to be erected on the lots, and 
 the period allowed for erection, will also be then declared." 
 
 CHARLES ELLIOT, 
 Chief Superintendent charged with the 
 Government of Hongkong. 
 Macao, 7th June, 1841. 
 
 [Hongkong Gazette, June 8, 1841.] 
 
30 
 LAND SALE. 
 
 {Extract.) 
 "Agreeably to Public Notice of date the 7th instant, a sale 
 by auction of the annual quit-rent of lands, deferred from the 
 12th to the 14th instant, took place at Hongkong on the latter 
 day. Intending Purchasers having assembled on the ground, 
 the terms of sale were read, and the lots were then severally put 
 up to sale, and knocked down to the highest bidders " 
 
 (Signed.)" J. ROBERT MORRISON, 
 
 Acting Secretary and Treasurer to the 
 Superintendents of Trade. 
 
 CHARTER OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG. 
 
 PROCLAMATION. 
 
 "The Treaty of Peace, ratified under the Signs Manual and 
 Seals of the respective Sovereigns, between Her Majesty the 
 Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., 
 &c., and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, having 
 been this day formally exchanged, the annexed Royal Charter 
 and Commission, under the Great Seal of State, are hereby pro- 
 claimed and published for general information, obedience, and 
 guidance." 
 
 "His Excellency Sir Henry Pottinger, Bart, G.C.B., &c., 
 &c., has this day taken the Oaths of Office, and assumed Charge 
 of the Government of the Colony of Hongkong and its Depen- 
 dencies." 
 
 "In obedience to the Gracious Commands of Her Majesty, 
 as intimated in the Royal Charter, the Island and its Depen- 
 dencies will be designated and known as " The Colony of 
 Hongkong ; " and His Excellency the Governor is further pleas- 
 ed to direct, that the present City, on the Northern side of the 
 Island, shall be distinguished by Her Majesty's name, and that 
 all Public Communications, Archives, &c., &c., shall be hence- 
 forward, dated "VICTORIA." 
 
 God save the Queen. 
 (Signed) HENRY POTTINGER. 
 Dated at the Government-house, at Victoria, this '26 th day of 
 June, 1843. 
 
 {Extract.) 
 "Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of 
 Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, — To 
 
31 
 
 all to whom these Presents shall come — Greeting: Know ye — 
 that We, of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere 
 motion, have thought fit to erect and do hereby erect our Island 
 of Hongkong and its Dependencies, situate between Twenty- 
 two degrees Nine minutes, and Twenty-two degrees Twenty-one 
 minutes, North Latitude, and the One Hundred and Fourteenth 
 degree Six minutes, and the One Hundred and Fourteenth degree 
 Eighteen minutes. East Longitude from the Meridian of Green- 
 wich, into a separate Colony, and the said Island and its De- 
 pendencies is hereby erected into a separate Colony accordingly, 
 to be known and designated as "the Colony of Hongkong "* 
 
 Witness Ourself, at Westminster, the Fifth Day of April, in 
 the Sixth year. of Our Eeign. [1843]. 
 
 Br THE Queen Herself. 
 
 (Signed) EDMUNDS. 
 
 exteact peom the teeaty of peace, eeiend- 
 ship, commeeoe and navigation between 
 hee majesty the queen of the united king- 
 dom of geeat beitain and leeland, and 
 his majesty the empeeoe of china, signed 
 
 AT TIENTSIN, JUNE 26th, 1858. EATIFICATIONS 
 EXCHANGED AT PEKING, OCTOBEE 24th, 1860. 
 
 Art. XXV. — " Import duties shall be considered payable 
 on ihe landing of the goods, and duties of export on the shipment 
 of the same." 
 
 (Extract.) 
 
 No. 66. 
 
 Colonial Secretary's Office, 
 
 Hongkong, 11th February., 1869. 
 
 To W. J. Bryans, Esq., 
 
 Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. 
 ***** 
 
 a 
 
 ■ It is already several weeks since the Acting Eegistrar 
 General was directed by His Excellency (Sir Eichard Graves 
 MacDonnell) to proceed to Canton, accompanied by the wit- 
 nesses required to prove some of the outrages which were then 
 being frequently inflicted on the persons and cargoes of legiti- 
 mate peaceful traders in Chinese vessels clearing from this Port." 
 " The result of the investigation thus held at Canton, at the 
 
32 
 
 instance of His Excellency, has been to substantiate, even to the 
 satisfaction ot the Chinese Authorities, the reality and serious 
 extent of the outrages in question." 
 
 " Under these circumstances it is satisfactory to find that the 
 Viceroy has already taken active measures to terminate the 
 unjust and harassing system of squeezing, frequently accom- 
 panied by violence, which had been practised on Native traders 
 from this Colony ; and that he has not only caused the with- 
 drawal of the improper notification by the Customs in Novem- 
 ber last, but has also issued a fresh notification of a stringent 
 character in favor of legitimate trade." 
 
 " Copies of that document and of the covering despatch of 
 Consul Robertson are now enclosed for the information of the 
 Chamber of Commerce, which will see that, so far as the Vice- 
 roy's Proclamation goes, a considerable step in advance has 
 been attained, although much more is required to secure legitimate^ 
 trade in British manufactures from the recurrence of similar exac- 
 
 (Signed) J. GA^RDINER AUSTIN, 
 
 Golonial Secretary. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM PROCLAMATION OF THE VICEROY OF 
 THE TWO KWANG PROVINCES &c., &c,, JUI, AND 
 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF MARITIME CUSTOMS 
 FOR KWANO-TUNa SHIH, DATED 6th FEBRU- 
 ARY, 1869. 
 
 " It has of late been ascertained that certain evil-disposed 
 persons have falsely assumed the characters of cruisers in the 
 Customs' service, and have stopped trading vessels at sea, levy- 
 ing exactions from them at their own caprice, exciting thereby 
 alarm among those interested in the said vessels, and causing a 
 stoppage of navigation, to the great detriment of the mercantile 
 community. Such conduct is deserving of the severest repro- 
 bation The Viceroy and Superintendent of Customs have now, 
 accordingly, decided in concert upon stringent measures for 
 the seizure of the guilty persons, and the complete eradication 
 of their manoeuvres. The Customs at present employ no steam- 
 
 piyo ^ flp ^f tp * Iff ijP 
 
 " If, after this, there still be evil disposed persons who frau- 
 dulently assume the character of cruisers under the Superinten- 
 dent of Customs' flag, and stop trading vessels for the purpose of 
 levying exactions, they are (hereby declared as) differing in no 
 respect from pirates." 
 
33 
 
 {Translation^ 
 To 
 
 HER MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA, 
 
 &c., &c. 
 The humble Petition of the Undersigned Chinese 
 ^^erchants residing and carrying on business 
 at the City of Victoria, in the Island of Hong- 
 kong, 
 Sheweth, 
 
 That at or about the time when the Island of Hongkong 
 was ceded to your Majesty, that is to say, on the 7th day of 
 June, 1841, Sir Charles Elliot, your Majesty's Plenipotentiary, 
 issued a proclamation whereby Chinese merchants were invited 
 to resort to Hongkong for the purposes of trade and commerce, 
 under the promise of full protection from interference on the 
 part of the Chinese Authorities, as by the said proclamation, 
 which is in the words and figures following, appears : — " A 
 Proclamation — By Charles Elliot, <^c., ^c, <^c. It is hereby 
 declared, to the merchants and traders of Canton and all parts of the 
 Empire that they and their ships have Jree permission to resort to 
 and trade at the port of Hongkong, where they will receive full pro- 
 tection from the high officers of the British nation, and Hongkong 
 being on the shores of the Chinese Empire, neither will there be any 
 charges on imports and exports to the British Government. It is 
 further clearly declared that there will be an immediate embargo upon 
 the port of Canton and all the large ports of the Empire, if there be 
 the least obstruction to the freedom of trade and intercourse liMh the 
 port of Hongkong. Persons bringing information to the British 
 officers which shall lead to the detection of Pirates will he liberally 
 rewarded, and the Pirates will be taken and delivered over to the 
 officers of the Chinese Qovernment for punishment. — At Macao 
 this 1th day of June, 1841. (Signed) CHARLES ELLIOT." 
 
 That in consequence of such proclamation, large numbers 
 of Chinese merchants and traders repaired to Hongkong, and 
 continued from time to time to resort to that colony, where they 
 built residences and established mercantile houses; whilst 
 others consigned their vessels and goods to the place, receiving 
 for many years complete protection from the interference of 
 Chinese officials, who have always viewed with jealousy the 
 development of the Colony, its rapid progress in wealth and 
 prosperity, and the great improvements which, under your 
 Majesty's wise and benignant rule, have been made in it since 
 its establishment. And that yoryr Petitioners, relying upon the 
 protection promised by the said proclamation, have so establish- 
 ed themselves at Hongkong as merchants and tradei's. 
 
34 
 
 That during the past five years, some of the Mandarins in, 
 authority at Canton, actuated, as your petitioners beheve, by 
 avarice and jealousy, and presuming on the peaceful 
 and forbearing policy of late years adopted by your 
 Majesty's Government towards the Chinese authorities, have 
 entered upon a course of open hostility to the trade of the 
 Colony, by causing trading junks proceeding to Hongkong 
 to be overhauled and seized by Chinese war vessels ; 
 ostensibly for the purpose of collecting or protecting 
 the Imperial revenue; but really, as your Petitioners 
 know, to injure the trade of the port and enrich them- 
 selves with the plunder so acquired ; until, emboldened by 
 impunity, they have established a complete blockade of the 
 harboiir, which is now being carried out by armed junks and 
 foreign built cruisers ; so that every Chinese vessel proceeding 
 to Hongkong is liable to seizure, and many such junks are daily 
 seized and taken to Canton by such vessels, to be there sold or 
 confiscated. 
 
 That, within the past two years, not less than three hun- 
 dred junks bound for Hongkong, whilst actually entering 
 or close to this port, have been so seized and taken to 
 Canton, where they and their cargoes have either been 
 unjustly condemned as having violated the Revenue laws 
 of the Chinese Government, or been returned to their 
 •owners on payment of a heavy fine or ransom, proportionate 
 to the value of the property at stake ; and that the terrorism 
 pi'oduced by such acts and the injury and oppression conse- 
 quent thereon, have inflicted the greatest detriment to the trade 
 of the Colony, and materially checked its progress. 
 
 That all, or nearly all, the said seizures have taken place in 
 British waters, which will appear evident from the plan here- 
 unto annexed, showing the Harbour of Hongkong and the 
 surrounding waters ; the position at which the war junks refer- 
 red to are stationed ; and the course which Chinese junks bound 
 for Hongkong necessarily take when nearing the port.* 
 
 That such seizures have all been made upon groundless 
 charges, and solely, as your Petitioners have already stated, for 
 the purpose of extortion and of deterring the owners of junks 
 from consigning their vessels to Hongkong, and resorting to the 
 said Colony for the purpose of trade and commerce. 
 
 That one of such junks so unjustly seized was the Kum Hop 
 Sing, the facts connected with which are as follows : The Kum 
 Hop Sing sailed from Tarn gui in the Island of Formosa, for 
 Hongkong, on the 16th January, 1874, laden with a valuable 
 
 * See Man^ 
 
;-5ft 
 
 cargo of miscellaneous merchandise. Previous to leaving Tarn 
 Sui, the Lekin Tax was paid in respect of all the said cargo, for 
 which the Master obtained receipts ; the proper port or mast 
 dues were also paid by the Master, who thereupon obtained the 
 usual clearance papers from the proper authorities of the port. 
 On the 19th of January, 1874, when in the Ly-Ee Moon Pass 
 and in British waters, that is to say, within 120 yards of the 
 Island of Hongkong, the Kum, Hop Sing was overhauled by a 
 Chinese war junk or Customs' cruiser stationed in the said Pass, 
 • when her papers were examined by an Officer : yet, although 
 such papers were in order, because the Master was unable to 
 produce what is known as the " Grand Chop," being the receipt 
 given for export duty at the Chinese ports where such duty is 
 payable, which the said Officer well knew the Master of the 
 vessel could not possess, for the reason hereinafter mentioned, 
 the junk was taken over to the Chinese side of the Pass, where 
 it was detained until the 22nd January, upon which day it and 
 two other junks which had been also illegally seized by 
 the said cruiser, were taken up to Canton, where, after a 
 detention of nearly two months, the Kum Hop Sing and her 
 cargo were sold, and the proceeds confiscated by the Chinese 
 authorities. On the 30th January, 1874, the Master of the junk 
 entered a protest before a Notary Public of Hongkong in respect 
 of the illegal seizure of his vessel. On the 30th January, 1874, 
 the Solicitor of the Master forwarded the protest to Sir Brooke 
 Robertson, c.b^ your Majesty's Consul at Canton, with a letter 
 requesting him to apply to the Chinese aiithorities to postpone 
 the sale of the junk which was then threatened, but the Consul, 
 declined to do so, stating in his reply that the owner's proper 
 course was to present a petition for relief to the Colonial 
 Government. The owner of the junk then presented a petition 
 to His Excellency Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, c.b, your 
 Majesty's Governor of Hongkong, praying that steps might be 
 taken to obtain the restoration of the said junk and cargo. 
 Upon receipt of the petition His Excellency transmitted instruc- 
 tions to take action in the matter to Sir Brooke Robertson, who, 
 after a delay of nearly two months, forwarded a despatch to 
 His Excellency stating, that it had been proved to his satisfac- 
 tion that the junk had been rightly seized for having evaded 
 payment of export duty. The said Consul was altogether in 
 error in the statement so made, he having, as your Petitioners 
 believe, been cajoled by the Chinese authorities, inasmuch as 
 no export duty is payable by the Chinese junhs clearing from 
 Tamsui or any other ports in Formosa, and no " Grand Chop " 
 is ever granted to any junk clearing from those ports, and the 
 
36 
 
 owner of the said junk had not failed in the payment of any 
 duty nor been in any wise in default. The said junk and her 
 cargo have since been wrongfully sold by the Chinese authori- 
 ties, who have possessed themselves of the proceeds, thus plun- 
 dering the owners unden color of law and justice. 
 
 That there are about twelve ports on the South-and-East 
 coast of China, and about six ports in Formosa, not yet opened 
 to foreign commerce in the same manner as the Treaty ports, 
 the iTierchants of which carry on a large export and import trade, 
 and that, as the prejudice which was formerly held by most 
 Chinese against foreigners has very much deci'eased, your peti- 
 tioners believe that if such protection from illegal seizure as 
 promised by Sir Charles Elliott's proclamation, were still 
 afforded, a very considerable trade would be done in Hongkong 
 over and abov^ the ordinary trade now being carried on there, 
 to the great advantage of your Petitioners, the OAvners of the 
 said vessels and the cargoes shipped therein, and the Chinese 
 and foreign community generally : and that therefore it would 
 be much for the benefit of the Imperial Government of China, 
 the Chinese people, and the foreign community of Hongkong, 
 that the practice of illegally seizing Chinese vessels on their 
 voyage to Hongkong should be prevented, and legitimate trade 
 with Hongkong allowed to pursue its regular course. 
 
 That Chinese merchants prefer consigning their vessels 
 and goods to Hongkong rather than to Canton, because the 
 former port offers a better market for their good*, and property 
 there is free from exaction, which is not the case at Canton, 
 and has hitherto been safe from illegal seizure, and also 
 because junks can take from this colony return cargoes of 
 European goods which are much sought for at most of the 
 Chinese ports. 
 
 That very great injury has been inflicted upon the people 
 of Hongjcong and in particular upon your Petitioners, both col- 
 lectively and individually, by the illegal seizure of Chinese 
 vessels, as before mentioned; great numbers of Chinese mer- 
 chants being deterred from consigning their vessels and goods 
 to Hongkong, owing to their liabihty to be seized and con- 
 fiscated, as hereinbefore mentioned. 
 
 That whilst your petitioners have complete confidence in 
 the wisdom and justice of His Excellency Sir Arthur Edward 
 Kennedy, who has at all times evinced the deepest interest in 
 their welfare, they believe that in view of the submissive and 
 forbearing policy adopted of late years by your Majesty's 
 Government towards the Government - of his Majesty the 
 Emperor of China, he cannot adopt effectual means to prevent 
 
37 
 
 the illegal seizure of their vessels as hereinbefore mentioned, 
 without obtaining from your Majesty special instructions to 
 meet the exigencies of the case. 
 
 Your Petitioners therefore most humbly pray, 
 that your Majesty may be pleased to take their 
 Petition into your favourable consideration, and 
 that your Majesty may direct such measures to be 
 adopted for obtaining compensation from the 
 Imperial Chinese Government for the illegal 
 seizure of the " Kum Hop Sing " and her cargo, 
 and of the various other junks and their cargoes 
 so illegally seized and confiscated as hereinbefore 
 mentioned, and for the prevention of such outrages 
 in future, as to your Majesty may seem meet. 
 And your Petitioners will ever 'pray, &c. 
 
 Hongkong, 24th June, 1874. 
 
 [Here follow the Signatures of 18 Chinese Hongs ] 
 
 MEMORIAL. 
 
 To the Right Honorable 
 
 THE EARL OF CARNARVON^, 
 
 ♦ Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for 
 the Colonies. 
 
 The Memorial of the undersigned, members of the 
 Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, hum- 
 bly sheweth : — 
 
 1. That the trade of the Colony of Hongkong is, and has 
 been for some time past most seriously affected and injured by 
 the proceedings of a number of armed vessels that lie in wait 
 at the entrances to the harbor, and pounce upon all junks 
 entering or leaving it, and, upon the pretext that certain regula- 
 tions made by the Hoppo of Canton have not been complied 
 with, either extort money from those on board the said junks, 
 or in some instances force them to proceed to Canton, where 
 the junks and cargoes are either confiscated, or the owners sub- 
 jected to heav)" penalties and fines. 
 
 2. That ihe armed vessels above referred to, commit these 
 illegal acts under the authority, and with the sanction of the 
 Hoppo of Canton. With reference to this individual, your 
 Memorialists beg to state that he is not, in the strict sense of 
 
the word, an Officer of the Chinese Government ; he is merely 
 a "farmer" of tlie duties of the port of Canton, paying a certain 
 sum to the Imperial Government, and pocketing any surplus 
 which he can contrive to make. This system, in the hands of 
 an unscrupulous man, must be productive of great evils and ex- 
 tortion ; the surplus is said to be several millions of taels, a 
 great proportion of which your Memorialists have no hesitation 
 in stating is obtained in the illegal manner stated in the first 
 paragraph. 
 
 3. That the said Hoppo has, in the most arbitrary and 
 illegal manner, issued regulations to the effect that all junks and 
 their cargoes must be reported at Ms Custom House at Canton, 
 pay such duties as he may choose to impose, and obtain a 
 clearance, before leaving the port of Hongkong, otherwise they are 
 liable to be seized by his armed cruisers at the outlets from this 
 harbor and confiscated. Your Memorialists urge that these 
 high-handed proceedings utterly destroy the freedom of this 
 port, which freedom was guaranteed to all Chinese traders by 
 the public Proclamation of Sir Charles Elliot, Her Majesty's 
 Plenipotentiary, dated the 7th day of June, 1841, a.d. ; that 
 Proclamation not only guaranteed the freedom of this port, but 
 also undertook to punish any attempts to interfere with such 
 freedom. 
 
 4. That the regulation aforesaid, forcing vessels to obtain 
 their clearances and pay duties at Canton, a port over ninety 
 miles distant, has had the most injurious effect 'on the trade of 
 the Colony generally, but more especially on the trade in British 
 manufactures Your Memorialists have been assured by Chi- 
 nese Merchants residing in this Colony, that a considerable trade 
 which existed formerly between the small ports along the coast 
 and this Colony (native produce such as Tea, Sugar, &c. being 
 imported, and British manufactures, Singapore produce, &c. 
 being exported in return) has entirely ceased. A trade of a 
 similar nature with the Island of Hainan has very much di- 
 minished through the same cause. 
 
 5. That in addition to the armed vessels of the Hoppo, 
 there are many others, also armed, belonging to the collector of 
 the Lekin (War Tax) and the farmer of the Salt Tax; all these 
 vessels prey indiscriminately on the junks trading with this 
 Colony. A case happened recently* where one of these vessels 
 was seized by the Police, and clearly convicted of firing shotted 
 guns at junks within a few yards of the shore of this Island, 
 near Cape D'Aguilar, Your Memorialists greatly regret that the 
 
 * See particulars at end of this Memorial. 
 
39 
 
 crew of this vessel were not punished for a breach of the Laws 
 of this Colony, but were handed over instead to the Chinese 
 Authorities at Canton; and there is every reason to beheve that 
 these men, properly amenable to a severe punishment, suffered 
 no penalty at all, or merely a nominal one, and the impression 
 unfortunately left on the minds of the Chinese, is that the 
 Local Government of Her Majesty acted in this matter under 
 coercion, and in terror of the power of the Chinese Authorities at 
 Canton. When a nolle prosequi was entered at the Supreme 
 Court of Hongkong by the i^ttorney General, the Chief Justice 
 remarked strongly upon this case ot rendition. 
 
 6. That all the armed vessels aforesaid, viz , those of the 
 "farmer" of the Customs duties, the "farmer" of the Salt Tax 
 and the collector of the Lekin or War Tax are apparently under 
 the supervision of an armed steam gun-boat named the Peng 
 Chou Hai ; this vessel claims the rights of a man-of-war to enter 
 and leave the harbor at any hour without reporting herself, or 
 obtaining a clearance, and having, as is well known, a number 
 of spies in the Colony, the movements of every trading junk are 
 ascertained, and on such junk attempting to leave the Colony 
 she is at once overhauled with the aforesaid results. 
 
 7. The Hoppo employs on board the armed vessels refer- 
 red to, a number of Europeans, and amongst them British sub- 
 jects, notably the Captain of the gun-boat just mentioned, the 
 Peng Chou Hai* The employment of tJtie aforesaid British 
 subjects is, in the opinion of your Memorialists, a most objec- 
 tionable practice, as the Chinese traders attribute a great deal 
 of the hardship and oppresion they undergo to this fact, and a 
 feeling of bitterness is engendered which may some day revenge 
 itself on Europeans generally in China : your Memorialists are 
 also of opinion that British subjects serving on board these 
 vessels, which are to all intents and purposes ships of- war, are 
 acting in contravention of, and are punishable under the For- 
 eign Enlistment Act. 
 
 8. From information derived from some of the most re- 
 liable Chinese traders, your Memorialists understand that junks 
 leaving this port for others, such as those in the islands of For- 
 mosa and Hainan, have practically to pay double dxity, as the 
 authorities of those ports, or the subordinate Officers in their 
 employ, ignore the payments to the Canton authorities; so that 
 the unfortunate junk owners are plundered on all sides with very 
 little chance of redress, the process of applying through the 
 Government of this Colony to Her Majesty's Consul at Canton 
 
 * See List of Hoppo's Officers. 
 
40 
 
 being most unsatisfactory. Tlais Officer may institttte an en- 
 quii-y, but sucli is the untruthfulness of Chinese Officials, that 
 every means would be adopted to prevent him arriving at the 
 true state of the case. As an instance of this, your ^Memorialists 
 beg to narrate the case of the Chinese trading junk Kum Hop 
 Sing. This vessel, having completed a lawful voyage from a 
 port in the Island of Formosa, her papers being in perfect order 
 in accordance with the custom of the port she had left, was 
 entering the harbor of this Colony, when she was boarded, and, 
 on the plea of her not having a document called a " grand 
 chop," was seized, towed to Canton, condemned, and sold, 
 together with her cargo. Her owners sought redress through 
 the British Consul at Canton. The reply of that Official, which 
 was translated to them by an Officer of this Colony, was to the 
 effect that the Consul had made a searching enquiry into the 
 case and had come to the conclusion that the junk was lawfully 
 seized in Chinese waters and under Chinese Law, on the fol- 
 lowing ground : that " she could not produce an export duty 
 receipt for some Tea, Sugar, and other produce which she ha(i 
 on board." The Consul made these further statements : " that 
 she was captured by the revenue cruizer in command of Captain 
 Palmer (the Peng Chou Hai) ; " that the owner and master ap- 
 peared at the otiice of the Superintendent of Customs at Canton, 
 and, having acknowledged the attempt to smuggle the goods 
 into Hongkong, paid a fine for the release of junk and cargo. 
 So far from these statements being true, the Captein and owner 
 have assured your Memorialists that they can prove them to be 
 entirely false and that the real facts are as follow : "That they 
 paid all the duties that were demanded in Formosa ; that their 
 papers were in perfect order and such as they have been trad- 
 ing with for years ; that their junk was not seized by the re- 
 venue cruiser commanded by Captain Palmer, but by a Chinese 
 built war junk ; that they never appeared at Canton and ac- 
 knowledged the attempt to smuggle goods into Hongkong;: that 
 they never paid a fine and obtained the release of their Junk 
 and cargo, but on the contrary the junk and cargo were sold 
 by the Canton Authorities who have converted the proceeds 
 to their own use. Your Memorialists trust that the above 
 narrative will convince Your Lordship of the difficulty experi- 
 enced by Chinese traders in this Colony, when they endeavour 
 to obtain restitution of their property through the efforts of Her 
 Majesty's Consul at Canton. Your Memorialists regret to state 
 that this official seems to accept the statemen ts of the Canton 
 Customs Authorities as true, and to throw discredit on assertions 
 made against them. 
 
41 
 
 9. That, in consequence of the continual complaints of the 
 English and Chinese Merchants residing in the Port of Hong- 
 kong, a Commission was issued to enquire into the alleged 
 grievances, but, notwithstanding the great importance of this 
 enquiry with regard to the interests of a Mercantile Community 
 such as that of Hongkong, the Government of this Colony has, 
 to the extreme regret of your Memorialists, considered it advis- 
 able to withhold from them a copy of the Report of the Com- 
 mission, otherwise your Memorialists would have been enabled 
 to enter more fully into the grievances set out in this Memorial. 
 The correspondence which passed between the Colonial Se- 
 cretary and the Chamber on this subject is as follows : 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE CHAIRMAN OF 
 THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE COLON- 
 IAL SECRETARY RESPECTING THE REPORT OF 
 THE COMMISSION APPOINTED TO ENQUIRE INTO 
 THE BLOCKADE OF THE PORT BY CUSTOMS 
 CRUIZERS. 
 
 " Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, 
 "Hongkong, June l&th, 1874. 
 
 " The Honorable J. Gardiner Austin, 
 
 " Colonial Secretary, 
 
 " Hongkong. 
 
 " Sir, — At a special meeting of the Committee of this 
 Chamber held on the 15th instant, the following resolutions 
 were unanimously adopted, which I have now the honor to 
 submit for the information of His Excellency the Governor : 
 
 " Resolved. — ' That the Committee of this Chamber have 
 leai-ned with much surprise that His Excellency the Governor 
 has, through their delegate, declined to furnish a copy of the 
 Report of the Commission of Enquiry upon the alleged griev- 
 ance sustained by the Chinese traders, from the action of the 
 Chinese Customs Officers and Cruizers which harass the trade 
 of the Colony. That, up to the present, the Chamber has pur- 
 posely abstained from drawing up a Memorial addressed to 
 Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, in order that 
 it might have the benefit of the researches of the Commission 
 in making such representations as might be deemed advisable 
 against the grievances so long complained of : and whereas His 
 Excellency had requested the Chamber to appoint one of its 
 members to sit upon the Comrnission, the Committee naturally 
 
42 
 
 inferred that they would receive a copy of the Report. That 
 the Committee are of opinion that the labors of the Commis- 
 sion will be much more complete for reference to the Secretary 
 of State for the Colonies if the large mercantile interests of this 
 Colony, as represented by the Chamber, (being deeply interest- 
 ed in this important question) are allowed the opportunity of 
 adding their experience and information by supplementing the 
 Report of the Commission with a Memorial of their own.' 
 
 " 'Resolved, therefore, that in view of the above, an 
 application in the name of the Chamber be now respectfully 
 made to His Excellency the Governor for a copy of the Report 
 of the Commission.' 
 
 " In doing so the Committee desire to call His Excel- 
 lency's attention to the fact that the subject of the action of the 
 Customs Authorities at Canton, with respect to the trade of 
 this Colony, has been one in which the Chamber has taken an 
 active interest for some time past, and repeated efforts have 
 been made to engage the attention of the proper Authorities in 
 respect to the abuses complained of so frequently. 
 
 " It was, therefore, with pleasure and satisfaction that the 
 request for a member of the Chamber to join the Commission 
 was received, and the Chamber was in great hopes that, by 
 means of a strong and combined effort on the part of the 
 Government and of the Community, the long existing unsatis- 
 factory fetate of affairs would be effectually remedied. 
 
 " The Committee have accordingly expressed no little" sur- 
 prise that a copy of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry 
 had been declined to the Chamber's delegate, and, further, that 
 said Report had been referred for the consideration of Her 
 Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies. In view of the 
 position of the Chamber with respect to this Commission, and 
 the active part it has taken in the agitation of this question, the 
 Committee beg most respectfully to record their opinion, that, 
 in any such reference as above mentioned, the Chamber is 
 entitled to an expression of its views, in connection with the 
 Report, for the consideration of Her Majesty's Secretary of State 
 for the Colonies. 
 
 "Trusting that the request of the Committee, as contained 
 in the above resolutions, will meet with His Excellency's best 
 consideration, I have the honor to be, Sir," 
 
 " Your Most obedient Servant, 
 
 " (Signed,) P. RYRIE, 
 
 Chairman." 
 
43 
 
 " Colonial Secretary's Office, 
 "Hongkong, 18th June, 1874:. 
 " Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 letter of the 16th instant, transmitting an application from the 
 Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce for 
 a copy of the Report of a Commission appointed to enquire into 
 alleged grievances sustained by the Chinese Traders at Hong- 
 kong from the action of the Chinese Customs' Officers and 
 Cruizers. 
 
 " In reply, I am desired by the G-overnor to state that, 
 with every desire to meet the views and wishes of the Commit- 
 tee of the Chamber of Commerce, His Excellency feels himself 
 unable to comply with their request without previous com- 
 munication with Her Ma,jesty's Government, who are alone 
 competent to deal efFectuaily with questions arising out of the 
 Report, for a copy of which they apply, 
 
 " I am further desired to inform you, for the information 
 of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, that Flis Ex- 
 cellency will readily forward any Representation or Memorial 
 with which they may entrust him for tranmission to Her 
 Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies." 
 " I have the honor to be, 
 " Sir, 
 " Your most obedient Servant, 
 
 " (Signed,) J. GARDINER AUSTIN, 
 Colonial Secretary." 
 " The Honorable P. RYRIE, 
 
 " Chairman, 
 " Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce." 
 
 10. The Report of the proceedings of the Commission of 
 Inquiry, referred to in the above paragraph, will be in the 
 hands of Your Lordship, and it may be that the information 
 therein contained is of a fuller character than your Memorialists 
 have been able to obtain. The statements by Chinese Mer- 
 chants set forth in this memorial are believed to be it substance 
 correct, and a simple denial on the part of the Chinese autho- 
 rities is not considered by your Memorialists entitled to be 
 received in preference thereto. 
 
 11. Your Memorialists would urge upon your Lordship 
 that these proceedings of the Hoppo and the Authorities of 
 Canton are in contravention of the Treaty of Peace and 
 Frienship entered into by the respective Governments of Great 
 Britain and China, and, as the latter Government has ceded the 
 Island of Hongkong to the former, it is an unlawful proceed- 
 
44 
 
 ing to blockade all its approaches and thus render the Pro- 
 clamations of Her Majesty's Government completely nugatory. 
 Your Memorialists, therefore, pray Your 
 Lordship to take such action in the matter as will 
 induce the Government of China, which now 
 claims a place in the comity of civilised nations, 
 to act in accordance with the practice of other 
 nations, and collect its duties from its own sub- 
 jects, at its own ports, on goods imported into 
 or exported from said ports, and to cease harass- 
 ing and injuring the trade of this Colony in the 
 manner set forth in this Memorial. 
 
 And your Memorialists will ever pray, &c. 
 Hongkong, August 10th, 1874. 
 
 (Signed.) P. RYRIE, Chairman. 
 
 JAMES GREIG, Vice Chairman. 
 ADOLF ANDRE', ^ 
 
 GEORGE FARLEY HEARD, / Members 
 
 P. KARBERG, V of 
 
 H. H. NELSON, Committee. 
 
 S. D. SASSOONT, J 
 
 For the Chartered Bank of India Australia and China. 
 
 M. W. BOYD, Manager. 
 For the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India London and 
 China, 
 
 H. H. NELSON, Manager. 
 For the Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris. 
 
 A. PHILIPPE, Acting Manager. 
 For the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. 
 
 JAMES GREIG, Chief Manager. 
 For the N"ational Bank of India Limited. 
 
 R. H. SANDEMAN, Acting Manager. 
 For the Oriental Bank Corporation. 
 
 C. MORLAND KERR, Acting Manager. 
 
 The Borneo Company Limited. 
 
 H. NICAISE, Manager. 
 Messageries Maritimes 
 
 CAMILLE BERTRAND, Superintendent. 
 Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. 
 
 A. McIVER, Supa-intendent. 
 
45 
 
 Arnhold, Karberg & Co. 
 
 E. R. Belilios, 
 
 Birley & Co. 
 
 Bourjau & Co. 
 
 John Burd & Co. 
 
 Butterfield & Swire, 
 
 C. P. Chater, 
 
 B. Davies, 
 
 Eichard Deacon, 
 
 Deetjen & Co. 
 
 Frederick Degenaer, 
 
 Gibb, Livingston & Co, 
 
 Gilman & Co. 
 
 AugTistine Heard & Co. 
 
 HoUiday Wise & Co. 
 
 Douglas Lapraik & Co. 
 
 Melchers & Co. 
 
 N. Mody & Co. 
 
 Wm. M. Morgan, 
 
 Olyphant & Co. 
 
 Wm. Pustau & Co. 
 
 Reiss & Co. 
 
 Rozario & Co. 
 
 Russell & Co. 
 
 David Sassoon Sons & Co. 
 
 Edouard Schellhass & Co. 
 
 Granville Sharp, 
 
 Siemssen & Co. 
 
 Turner & Co. 
 
 Vogel Hagedorn & Co. 
 
 PIRACY AT THE ENTRANCE OF HONGKONG HARBOUR. 
 
 At 11 a.m., on 28th May, 1874, the Chinese boat Chung- 
 Sune, Lai Ahsing, Captain and owner, trading between Hong- 
 kong and Hoi-Foong, left Victoria, having on board, besides 
 the Captain, a supercargo named Yeong Wai-Lum, six sailors, 
 a woman and child belonging to the vessel, and twenty pas- 
 sengers, amongst whom were Pang Kee-Leong, LooAh-Sheak, 
 Chea A-Hung, Mok Ah-Faht, all traders between Hongkong and 
 Hoi-Foong. 
 
 The vessel having a miscellaneous cargo, valued at several 
 thousands of dollars, went out of the Ly-ee-moon pass, stopping 
 at the Foo-tow-moon Custom-house, where a Chinese Govern- 
 
46 
 
 ment steamer was anchored. Here the Chinese Customs' 
 officer came on board; all the boxes and packages were 
 examined, and duty was paid. At 4 or 5 p.m. the Junk got 
 under weigh again and continued her course for Hoi-Foong. 
 Shortly after leaving the Foo-tow-moon gate a junk, like a Man- 
 darin junk, was observed in pursuit. It was using sails and 
 oars, and, as it approached, a man stood in the bow waving a 
 flag after the manner of Mandarin cruizers when wishing to 
 overhaul and examine a trading vessel. It was at about 8 p.m. 
 There was very little wind, the sun was down, although it was 
 not very dark, there being a moon visible. The junk came 
 alongside and immediately about twenty men boarded, being 
 armed with swords, muskets, pistols and other weapons. They 
 had lighted oil-paper torches, and said they were searching 
 officers, and asked whether there was any salt on board. They 
 immediately began the work of pillage. No resistance was 
 made. After removing the specie and other cargo, and cutting 
 the ropes and rigging, the pirate junk sailed away. 
 
 The A'^essel was now disabled, therefore the supercargo, 
 Leong-Wai-Lum, with one passenger and two seamen, went in 
 the sampan (small boat) to the Foo-tow-moon Customs' steamer. 
 No aid however could be obtained either from the Chinese 
 steamer, on board of which a Foreigner was seen, or the Customs 
 station, and the boat had therefore to cross over to Show-ke- 
 wan, the nearest police station, where the piracy was reported 
 at daylight on the 29th May, and afterwards at the Central 
 Police Station in Hongkong. 
 
 The sailing vessel was brought back to Hongkong the 
 next day, 29th May, by the Captain. 
 
 On the 4th, 5th, and 10th June the case was heard before 
 Charles May Esq., the Chief Magistrate of Hongkong, when 
 three prisoners Yip A-Fat, Lo A-Fook and Choi A-Foon were 
 charged with piracy : — 
 
 1st Prisoner was idfentified by Pang Kee-Leong, passenger, 
 as having struggled with him for the possession of his pillow 
 box containing dollars; he was also picked out by Mok A-Faht, 
 passenger, from among ten prisoners in jail in presence of In- 
 spector John Burns, and identified as having taken away Mok- 
 A-Faht's bundle of clothes. 
 
 2nd Prisoner was indentified by Loo Ah-Sheak, passenger, 
 as having struggled with him for his pillow box containing 
 dollars, also by Chea A-Hung, passenger, as having struggled 
 with him for his pillow box containing dollai'S ; he was also 
 picked out from among ten prisoners in jail in presence of 
 Inspector John Burns ; also identified by Mok Ah-Faht, pas- 
 
47 
 
 senger, as having struggled with him for his pillow box, and 
 money ; also identified by Lok A-Wai. 
 
 iird Prisoner was identified by Pang Kee-Leong, passenger, 
 as having taken his basket, also identified by Lok A-Wai. 
 The prisoners were, on the 10th June, committed for trial at 
 the Supreme Couit. 
 
 SUPREME COURT. 
 
 (20th June.) 
 
 Criminal Sessions. 
 Before the Hon. Chief-Justice Sir John Smale, 
 Jury :— Messrs. D. Kyle, W. Brook, L. M. Baptista, H. E. 
 Braddon, G. F. Stanford, B. W. Duncan, and E. Beart. 
 
 ALLEGED PIRACY, 
 
 Yip A-Fat, Lo A-Fook, Choi A-Foon, pleaded not guilty to 
 piracy on the high seas, on the night of the 28th ultimo. 
 
 The Attorney-General (instructed by the Crown Solicitor) 
 prosecuted ; and Mr. Hayllar (instructed by Mr. H. L. Dennys) 
 defended the prisoners. 
 
 The Attorney-General said the offence with which these 
 men were charged was of less occurrence now than it used to 
 be some years ago in these waters, but still it was one of a 
 very grave nature. Its heinous character, and the ease with 
 which the perpetrators sometimes escaped, rendered them dan- 
 gerous to the inhabitants of this Colony. In this instance, for- 
 tunately, if they had got the right men, their punishment would 
 follow very fast on the commission of the offence. Unless the 
 jury disbelieved the testimony of the witnesses to be called 
 before them, they would feel satisfied that they had the right 
 men. Though there were only three in the dock, the attack 
 was shared in by something like twenty armed men, who for- 
 • cibly took possession of the trading junk upon these waters, 
 and pretty well cleared it of its cargo. The facts were simple. 
 About eight o'clock on the night of the 28th May last, a large 
 trading junk was in the neighbourhood of the Nine Pins. It 
 was proceeding quietly on its voyage, when it was hailed by a 
 junl<, who pursued it. This vessel eventually overtook the 
 trading junk, and some twenty men went on board. The 
 supercargo, who was in charge of the deck, appears to have 
 saved himself by sliding over the stern and hanging on by the 
 rudder, so that he would only be able to tell them of the arrival 
 of the men, and of the cargo on board. But there were other 
 witnesses who would be called, who were passengers, and who 
 were owners of the stolen property. They were down in the 
 
48 
 
 hold, with some of their goods under them, and they would tell 
 how the men came down, and forcibly displaced them, and 
 seizing their property, went away with it. If he (the learned 
 Attorney-General) proved these facts, the case would be made 
 out. Although the very word piracy was abhorrent to the ears 
 of every civilised man, when they came to examine it legally it 
 amounted simply to robbery on waters. What was called rob- 
 bery on land, if committed on sea was called piracy. To make 
 out a case it required that something should be taken away 
 feloniously, and that that something should be taken away 
 by violence. It was so in this instance The vessel in ques- 
 tion was at sea, armed men came on board by force, and by the 
 terror they inspired by their numbers, arms, and threats, took 
 away the property of the passengers. He might have swelled 
 the information by adding more counts, but he thought it was 
 sufficient as it stood, if they considered the three prisoners were 
 those who took away the things of the ship. There was a great 
 deal of cargo besides what belonged to the witnesses, and pri- 
 soners were therefore charged with stealing the property of 
 some persons unknown. 
 
 Witnesses were then called in support of the charge 
 
 Mr. Hayllar, for the defence, submitted, first, that the court 
 had no jurisdiction to try the case ; and secondly, that even if 
 it had, it was not a case to go to the jury. He ui'ged, on the 
 first point, that the offence, having been committed out of 
 Hongkong waters, and within a mile of the mainland of China, 
 was exactly as much an offence against the municipal laws of 
 that empire as if it had been committed in the centre of Canton. 
 Had it been a British ship, the case would have been different, 
 as a British ship carried the Admiralty jurisdiction with it 
 wherever it went, but this was a Chinese junk attacking another 
 within the municipal jurisdiction of China. 
 
 His Lordship asked Mr. Hayllar if he had duly considered 
 the possible consequences to the prisoners of the course he was 
 adopting. 
 
 Mr Hayllar said he had. It was a case of rendition or no 
 rendition. When that had been settled he should plead it was 
 a Mandarin junk. Eesuming argument, he said every power 
 had jurisdiction within a marine league — about three miles — of 
 its shores, thus ousting foreign jurisdiction ; indeed, the point 
 had already been admitted in this colony by Mr. Justice Ball. 
 Therefore, as this offence took place within a mile of the shore 
 it was out of British jurisdiction. He reserved the second point 
 for the present. 
 
 The Attorney-General held it was a case of piracy under 
 
49 
 
 the law of nations. If it were decided that it were not, what 
 would be the result ? That a peaceful trading junk could leave 
 this colony, be attacked and robbed, and the perpetrators might 
 come back here, and live under our protection with perfect im- 
 punity, unless the authorities of China interfered. He contend- 
 ed that it was not merely an offence against the municipal law 
 of China, but was also an offence against the law of nations, 
 and was therefore one against the common law of England. 
 Although it was not a piratical act by statute, it was one per se. 
 
 His Lordship said it was clear the place where it was com- 
 mitted was not the high seas. The high seas were beyond the 
 three miles from shore. 
 
 Mr Hayllar was about to address himself to the second 
 point — that the case was not one to go to the jury, but, 
 
 His Lordship said he would reserve his decision on the first 
 point. If he decided against Mr Hayllar, the jury would be 
 called on to attend, probably on Wednesday ; if otherwise, they 
 would not be required again. 
 
 11 th June. 
 
 THE ADJOURNED PIRACY CASE. 
 
 Yip-a-fat, Lo-a-fook, and Choi-a-Foou were indicted for 
 piracy 
 
 The Attorney-General (Mr. Bramston) instructed by Mr. 
 E. Sharp, the Crown Solicitor, prosecuted, and Mr. Hayllar, 
 instructed by Mr. H. L. Dennys, was for the defence. 
 
 The case, it will be remembered, came on on Monday last, 
 when, after the witnesses for the prosecution had been ex- 
 amined, Mr. Hayllar contended that the alleged piracy, having 
 been committed within three miles of the mainland of China, 
 was not within the jurisdiction of the court. 
 
 His Lordship now said he thought it right that the trial 
 should be completed so far as the Court was concerned, and 
 that the question of non-jurisdiction which had been raised 
 should be argued before the full Court. 
 
 The Attorney-General said the men had been indicted for 
 piracy upon the high seas. The evidence showed that it was 
 not upon the high seas within the acceptance of beyond 
 the three mile limit of the Chinese coast. It was, therefore, 
 very doubtful whether the information, as it stood, could be 
 supported by the evidence, but still he argued the question that 
 the Admiralty would have jurisdiction concurrent with the Chi- 
 nese authorities within the three miles, this being, as he had 
 submitted, a case of piracy against the law of nations. Therefore, 
 if necessary to raise the question definitely, probably the Court 
 
oO 
 
 would allow him to amend his information that it took place 
 within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty. 
 
 His Lordship asked if he wanted to amend the information. 
 
 The Attorney-General said he did not, because, since the 
 case was remanded, he had understood that the Chinese au- 
 thorities had claimed these men under the Rendition Act, and 
 there could be no doubt that this robbery upon a Chinese vessel 
 within the Chinese waters was an offence against the law of 
 China. That was perfectly clear and definitely laid down in 
 the case of Kwok-a-sing. Therefore it appeared the men might 
 be given up under the Ordinance. 
 
 His Lordship said that was a case of piracy on board a 
 French ship at sea. 
 
 The Attorney-General said it had been already decided 
 that such cases could not be tried here, and he therefore pro- 
 posed to enter a nolle prosequi, on the ground that the Governor 
 meant to act upon the Rendition treaty, and let the men be 
 tried by the Chinese authoiities. 
 
 His Lordship said that, as the Executive believed this to 
 be a case for rendition, and it clearly would have been such a 
 case if the trial had not commenced, he should not suggest any 
 objection to the course. As the Governor had thought it right 
 to pursue this course as a matter of political expediency, he 
 should not make any remai'ks upon it. Not knowing the facts 
 or correspondence he could not express an opinion, and if he 
 had an opinion it would be disrespectful to state it, because the 
 Executive was the supreme power in the State in reference to 
 foreign matters. Therefore he could express neither assent nor 
 dissent. 
 
 The prisoners were then removed.* 
 
 THE CAPE D'AGUILAR (HONGKONG,) PIRACY. 
 
 Man-A-Foong of Peking a Mandarin in the Civil Service, 
 Yii-Choi-sing, a military officer, and Chun-A-sing, a sailing 
 master, were charged with Piracy before The Hon. Chas. May, 
 Chief Police Magistrate, on the 7th May, 1874. 
 
 By the evidence of Inspectors Orley and Stroud, P.C. David 
 Toomey, and others, it appeared that on the 27th April, at 5 
 p.m., a large three-masted junk anchored in Stanley Bay, Hong- 
 kong. On being boarded, the crew said that she was a Mandarin 
 junk and objected to the inspection. She was found to be heavily 
 
 * They were afterwai-ds placed on board of a Chinese Junk, which was towed out of the 
 Harbour by the Hoppo's gun-vessel Peng Chow Hai. 
 
51 
 
 armed, having nine large cannons, varying from nine to twenty- 
 four pounders, also a large number of muskets, loaded and cap- 
 ped, on the deck near the main-mast. In the fore hold three 
 cannons dismounted ; in the after hold fourteen muskets, six 
 spears and two shields ; in the main hold fifteen muskets 
 and five gingals. On the deck, alongside the guns, about three 
 rounds of grape. On the carriage of each gun about fifty round 
 shot alongside. There were between forty and fifty men on 
 deck. The boarding officer. Inspector Orley, with difficulty 
 persuaded the junk to leave. A few hours after a telegram was 
 received at Stanley fi'om Cape D'Aguilar, stating that a large 
 junk was attacking the fishing-boats. Inspector Orley manned 
 his police boat, and proceeding to Cape D'Aguilar, at once iden- 
 tified the junk which he had boai-ded a short time before. In 
 reply to a telegram Capt. Supt. Deane came round, and Mr. 
 Tonnochy, with an armed party, shortly afterwards arrived in 
 the Government Steam-Launch. The junk was boarded forty 
 yards from the shore, and all the prisoners were identified as 
 being on board at the time. 
 
 The junk, with the prisoners, was afterwards towed 
 round to Victoria Harbour, when the guns were found to be 
 loaded with grape shot. A magazine was discovered on board 
 stocked with a large quantity of gunpowder, cartridges, and 
 other fighting stores. The Gun in the bow proved that the ship 
 was not a trader. 
 
 Chun-Fat-Che stated : I am a fisherman and have a small 
 fishing boat about 18 feet long. It has one sail and carries 
 myself and wife, my four sons and their two children. My 
 fishing place is at Stanley, Tai Tam, and Cape DAguilar. I 
 have fished there ever since I was a child, and I am 62 years 
 of age, and my father before me. My son generally accom- 
 panies me in another boat. I remember the night of the 27th 
 of April. I was fishing near the site of the Ughthouse with 
 my son's boat in company. I saw a junk saihng towards me; 
 I was then about forty or fifty cheong (200 yards) from the 
 shore. It was about midnight when t saw the junk ; it was a 
 very bright moonlight night. I heard the junk hail me saying 
 " Stop, come here." I was frightened and immediately turned 
 my boat's head for the shore. When they saw I was running 
 away, the people on the junk fired several muskets at me. 
 The shots did not go near my boat, but they did very near my 
 son's boat. I saw with my own eyes the shots fall into the 
 water, I ran in for shore and when near in, the junk lowered a 
 sampan and chased us ; there were no shots fired from the sam- 
 pan. When I say several shots were fired from the junk I mean 
 
52 
 
 seven or eight. I am certain I saw several shots strike the 
 water. The sampan that chased us did not catch us. We 
 ran in to where the site for the hghthouse is and I was asked by- 
 some Europeans what junk it was that chased us and I said 
 tliat I did not know The sampan chassd us to within ten 
 vheong (40 yards) of the shore when the European fired two 
 muskets at them and they went back. 
 
 Ching-chow-ming stated : — I am a son of last witness. I 
 was in a boat in company with my father's boat, I was sailing 
 out from Cape D'Aguilar and the moon was shining when I 
 saw a junk after us and calling out " Come here." My boat 
 was about 20 cheong from my father's, and when I heard the 
 junk hail us I turned my boat's head in shore because, it being 
 midnight, I could not see what sort of a junk it was. I thought 
 perhaps it might be a piratical junk. On running towards shore 
 I heard several muskets fired. I got on shore first and my father 
 followed. I saw a small sampan chasing my father and when 
 near shore the police by the lighthouse fired two shots at them 
 and they returned to the junk. I have been a fisherman on 
 the coast since I was a child. 
 
 P. C. Toomey gave similar evidence to that which he gave 
 at the Harbour Master's. 
 
 This finished the case for the prosecution and Mr. Sharp 
 said that without making any long comment on the case it was 
 pretty plain that the prisoners had been guilty of a breach of 
 the law and if it did not come under the Piracy Act it would 
 come under Section 16, in which it says that any person w|io 
 shall wound any one or shall fire at any one with intent to do 
 grievous bodily harm shall be guilty of felony &c. Mr. Sharp 
 said that he thought it was a case that should go before 
 a higher court. He also thought that the prisoners should not 
 be admitted to bail, as, so far as he knew, they had no tie here. 
 Any bail that His Worship might give, these men might be 
 able to put down. 
 
 The prisoners were committed for trial at the Supreme 
 Court on the 18th Instant. 
 
 SUPREME COURT. 
 
 Criminal Sessions. 
 
 Monday, May 18th, 1874. 
 
 Before Chief Justice Sib John Smale and Mr Justice Snowden. 
 
 Alleged Piracy in Hongkong waters. 
 
 Man-a-tong, Yu-choi-Sing and Chun-a-Sing were indicted 
 
 for shooting with intent to commit piracy, and endangering life. 
 
On the prisoners being put in the dock. 
 
 The Attorney-General (Mr. Bramston) said — May it please 
 you, My Lords :— These three prisoners were superior oflBcers 
 of a Chinese junk, heavily armed, and carrying a crew of from 
 forty to fifty men. On the afternoon of the 27th of last month 
 the junk was discovered at anchor in Stanley Bay ; the police 
 warned it to leave, and it left. Prisoners claimed that it was a 
 Mandarin junk. At midnight on the same day, the junk was 
 again found in our waters, off Cape D'Aguilar, chasing two peace- 
 able fishing boats and firing at them. She remained there 
 during the next day, and was eventually taken charge of by 
 the police and brought into Hongkong. Prisoners were com- 
 mitted for trial upon these depositions. From these it appear- 
 ed also, that after they had fired these shots, a boat had been 
 lowered from the junk, and chased two fishing boats right into 
 the shore ; but finding it could not catch them, it returned to 
 the junk. Later in the day, another boat was lowered and 
 sent to overhaul the fishing boats in the bay. The men from 
 this boat boarded several fishing boats, the occupants of which 
 raised the hatches, that the men from the small boat might look 
 in. Under these circumstances — which appear on the deposi- 
 tions — although no person had been wounded, although no per- 
 sonal injury had been committed, and although it did not ap- 
 pear anything had been taken, still, as there was no defenc e 
 raised before the Magistrate, it appeared to me there was a case 
 for such an information as I have placed on the file. 
 
 The Chief Justice — Quite so. 
 
 The Attorney-General — There was a case, under the statute 
 of Victoria, for doing an unlawful act, with intent to commit 
 piracy, by means of which life was endangered ; and further 
 there was an offence at Common Law, a misdemeanour, by 
 attempting to commit piracy. Now, under these circumstances, 
 I thought it should be for the jury to say what intention the 
 men had in pursuing the inhabitants of this Colony. But after 
 the information was filed, a communication was received by 
 His Excellency the Governor from the Viceroy of Canton, 
 claiming the junk as a government junk, and the men as Re- 
 venue officers. 
 
 The Chief Justice — Firing in our waters. 
 
 The Attorney General — ^No, for that circumstance had 
 apparently been concealed from the Viceroy ; because it is not 
 alluded to in his despatch. He was only aware that the junk 
 had violated the rights of this Colony by entering into our 
 waters. 
 
The Chief-Justice — They had a right to do that, being 
 national boats. 
 
 The Attorney-General — But they had come here under the 
 guise of looking for smugglers which, of course, they had no 
 right to do The Viceroy admitted that an infraction of our 
 rights had been committed, for which he offered an apology ; 
 and he asked that the junk might be released, promising to 
 visit the prisoners with summary punishment if they were left 
 to him. The matter was very carefully considered by His Ex- 
 cellency in Council, and as no harm— no actual harm — had 
 been really done ; and as the fact that this was a government 
 boat rendered the question of intent somewhat less clear than 
 before, and relying upon the promise of the Viceroy that the 
 men would be severely punished, His Excellency the 
 Grovernor resolved that no further proceedings should be taken 
 in this matter ; and it is now my duty to enter a nolle prosequi. 
 But I inform the Court of the circumstances of ray doing so. 
 If any injury — the slightest injury — had been sustained by any 
 person, in consequence of these actions ; if the slightest piece of 
 property had been taken from any person, I should have felt it 
 ray duty to ask to be allowed to lay down the law as to the 
 consequences of those actions. 
 
 The Chief Justice — If anybody had been killed, the man 
 who shot from the boat would, so far as this Court is concerned, 
 have been convicted and hung. 
 
 The Attorney-General — At present, my Lord, I have 
 nothing further to add. 
 
 The Chief Justice — Sxipposing there was no proof that the 
 vessel was actually under the Commission of the Governor of 
 Canton ; or, supposing she was acting under that Commission, 
 then a casus belli arises which, it seems to me, may be, accord- 
 ing to our laws, a breach of the treaty of a grave character. 
 That seems to me to have been occasioned under any circum- 
 stances. If I might venture to say so, I am sure the Executive 
 has exercised a sound discretion ; but I should have been more 
 satisfied if the law had been first ascertained before you entered 
 the nolle prosequi. This is not the first time, according to what 
 we hear, of these acts being done within these waters ; and I 
 cannot shut my eyes to what is notorious — that there has been 
 coercion within the jurisdiction of this colony by somebody. 
 If these boats have not the actual authority of the Government, 
 it is piratical ; if they have the authority of the Government 
 then it is a gross breach of international law. 
 
 The Attorney-General — I admit that. 
 
 The Chief Justice — For which they ought to answer. 
 
01) 
 
 What would be said if your boats had gone up the Canton 
 river and done something of this sort? 
 
 The Attorney-General — Then the case is at an end; because 
 although it is a breach of international law, it is less clear how 
 far it is a breach of the crinn"nal law. 
 
 The Chief Justice — It these depositions are true, there is a 
 clear case of firing by this boat upon these people. Then the 
 entire onus is on the prisoners to show that they did it by the 
 authority of the Chinese government; and, if they did not, 
 then it is piracy. If they did it by authority, then it is the 
 same character of act, only one government is responsible to 
 another government for it. Have you, Mr Attorney-General, 
 any other charge against the prisoners? 
 
 The Attorney-General — No, my Lord. 
 
 The Chief Justice — Then I discharge them. 
 
 The Attorney-General — I would ask to have the purport 
 of what I have said translated to the prisoners 
 
 The Chief Justice — -The newspapers will have it, and it 
 will come much more authentic from them. If these men have 
 acted upon authority, I have nothing to say to them. 
 
 The purport of the Attorney-General's address was then 
 interpreted to prisoners ; after which, they left the dock. 
 
 EXTEACTS FEOM THE JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY 
 CHIEF JUSTICE SIR JOHN SMALE ON THE 5th 
 OCTOBER, 1874, IN PASSING SENTENCE UPON 
 LEE-LUM-QUAI, CONVICTED OF ATTEMPTING TO 
 EXTORT $.5,000 UNDER THREATS OF APPLYING 
 THAT HIS VICTIMS YEONG A'MOW AND YEONG 
 A'PAT SHOULD BE GIVEN UP TO THE CHINESE 
 AUTHORITIES. 
 
 "Lee Lum-kwai, you have been found guilty of five 
 distinct crimes set out in five counts, distinct charges which 
 the Attorney General, as the public prosecutor in this Colony, 
 has preferred against you in one information. 
 
 ***** 
 
 " There seems to be a misapprehension of the rights and 
 powers of foreigners, and especially foreign officials in this 
 colony. This Island is British soil as much as London, the 
 Capital. Every foreigner, European or Chinese, becomes, by 
 mere residence and during his residence in this colony, in a 
 modified sense a British subject; he is subject to the civil and 
 
56 
 
 criminal jurisdiction of this colony, and our honor, our public faith, 
 becomes pledged for the protection of every such foreigner, whether 
 European or Chinese. You pretend to be an officer of the Chinese 
 Government. That does not authorise or excuse you, if, contrary 
 to English law, you injure or attempt to injure any Chinaman 
 residing in this colony. You, it is true, are only a petty officer, 
 but in case the highest official in Europe or China should attempt 
 to do in this colony that which the Law forbids, for example, if 
 any such were guilty of either of the crimes of which you have been 
 convicted, he would be liable to precisely the same punishment as 
 will be inflicted on you, and most assuredly I would not shrink 
 from passing due sentence on any such offender, be his rank what 
 it may." 
 
 After saying that he had painfully and anxiously considered 
 the case, His Lordship continued : — 
 
 " From the first I thought that I ought to sentence you to a 
 punishment, the severest which the laws of England enable me to 
 impose. According to the laws of some nations the law of retalia- 
 tion prevails, and the penalty which', by any means, a man attempts 
 illegally to obtain against his victim he is himself condemned to 
 suffer. You designed death to Amow and Apat, and therefore your 
 death would jnstly come within that rule. 
 
 "But the law of England is more lenient. Although you devis- 
 ed the deaths of Amow and Apat, the law of England will not take 
 your life, but it authorises me to inflict the next penalty, and, con- 
 sidering the atrocious perseverance with which you followed up 
 your object, I am of opinion that I should not do my duty — that 
 I should not sufficiently protect the large, and for the most part 
 respectable, Chinese community in this Colony — if I do not make 
 your punishment in a remarkable degree severe, and such as shall 
 deter others from following your wicked example. 
 
 His Lordship then passed upon the prisoner separate sentences 
 of penal servitude for life for each of the crimes charged under the 
 first and fifth counts and also separate sentences of penal servitude 
 for three years for each of the crimes charged under the second, 
 third, and fourth counts of the information, and concluded a most 
 impressive address in the following words : — 
 
 " You are, I doubt not, astonished to find that your wicked ac- 
 tions have brought such severe sentences on you. The protection 
 of the Chinese in this Colony from a system of squeezing which has 
 for years existed renders it necessary to punish you. 
 
 " Your conduct, and the miserable character of the information 
 against Amow and Apat, shew that the charges you have made, 
 whether as you say authorised by others or, as I believe, out of your 
 
57 
 
 own wicked devices, to be entirely untrustworthy in themselves — 
 they bear the stamp of having been concocted, of fabrication— 
 whilst the long connection of Amow and his family with the most 
 J-espectable, the largest English mercantile firm in China,* renders a 
 charge of such atrocious villainy against them almost incredible. 
 What I have said closes my duty as to you. 
 
 EXTRACT EEOM THE DAILY PRESS. 
 (September 15th,, 1874) 
 
 Whatever may be the immediate effect of the public meeting 
 which took place yesterday (14th September) with reference to the 
 blockade of the Colony by the Customs' cruisers, there can be no 
 doubt that its ultimate Results must prove advantageous. Afiairs 
 have gone to such lengths now that it is absolutely necessary that 
 some steps be taken either in one direction or the other, if we wish 
 to preserve the trade of the port. If the Chinese are wrong in 
 point of international law and usage in the course which they are 
 adopting, their action should be put down j if they are right, we 
 should take some steps for ensuring that the collection of duties in 
 the Colony be niade in a reasouE^ble manner, such as will not harass 
 the trade and drive the junks away from the port. The above is 
 the clear issue which has to be decided by the Home Government, 
 and they cannot flinch from the duty which devolves upon them, 
 after they receive the report of the public meeting. 
 
 It is impossible to deny that the subject is of a very difficult 
 character, one concerning which a certain amount of hesitation is 
 justifiable on the part of our authorities, and upon which public 
 writers are called upon to speak with much care, and not without 
 some hesitation. That the action of the revenue cruisers is unpre- 
 cedented; that it is a monstrous stretch of such right as 
 the Chinese may possess; that it is full of the grossest 
 irregularities ; that it is grievously oppressive to the trade of the 
 Colony, and is probably designed to harass the junkmen and to 
 prevent their coming to this port, cannot for a moment be denied, 
 and was amply proved by the statements of the various speakers at 
 the meeting. Mr. Whittall, the only gentleman who did not take 
 this view, spoke under a complete misapprehension as to the state 
 of the junk trade. He imagined that it had been upon the increase, 
 whereas the last report of the Harbour Master stated that it was 
 much diminished, and attributed the falling off to the blockade 
 around the port. But, on the other hand, it is impossible to over- 
 look the fact to which Mr. Whittall directed attention, that a nation 
 possesses a right to take steps for the protection of its revenue, 
 
 * MeSBca Jardine, Matheson & Co. 
 
58 
 
 and at the present day it has become an established principle to 
 treat China as on an equality in all matters of international law and 
 courtesy. It would take too long to enter at present into the 
 various reasons which may be justly urged against the adoption of 
 this principle, most prominent among which is the obvious con- 
 sideration that reciprocity is the essence of international relations, 
 and that if we hold China entitled to claim international rights we 
 must also hold her to be boijnd by international obligations — in 
 other words, if we recognise her rights we are entitled to demand 
 that she exercise them reasonably. But although such grounds are 
 obvious, it is almost certain that they will not be considered in the 
 matter by the Home Authorities, who are alive to the importance 
 of the political complications which might arise by treating China 
 otherwise than as on an equality, the effect of which would be to 
 relieve her from the obligation to treat us in the same way, albeit 
 she but Httle acts up to her duty in this respect. 
 
 It may be expected, therefore, that the view of the subject at 
 Home will lean towards a careful recognition of the international 
 rights of China as a nation entitled to be treated as on an equality — • 
 and upon that basis it is likely that the Law Officers of the Crown will 
 report that she has the right to take any measures which she may 
 deem necessary for the protection of her revenue in her own waters. 
 Of the abstract truth of this proposition there can be no doubt, 
 hut there may be means found of justifiably meeting the ques- 
 tion, in some such way as the old Eoman Proctors met the diffi- 
 culties which arose when they had to apply the Eoman common 
 law to the nations who had been conquered. A species of equity 
 may be justifiably resorted to in regard to international as well as 
 in regard to municipal law, and in fact international obligations are 
 peculiarly of that character which justly admits of a broad applica- 
 tion of principles, especially in cases where it is found, as is undeni- 
 ably the case in regard to this matter, that a privilege accorded 
 upon the supposition that it will be exercised reasonably and for 
 the bona fide intention of attaining a legitimate end, is being made 
 use of as a means of invading the independence of a friendly neigh- 
 bour and harassing and oppressing the trade of a particular port. 
 That the Chinese are abusing their right in this manner there can 
 be no manner of doubt ; and if an indication of their intentions is 
 required it is to be found in the manner in which they have 
 already put an end to a great portion of the trade of the neighbour- 
 ing Colony of Macao. Mr. H. 0. Brown, late Commissioner of Cus- 
 toms at Canton, in the reports recently issued,* thus speaks of 
 what was the intention of the Chinese Authorities at Canton with 
 
 * Eeports on Trade at the Treaty Ports in China for the year 1871-2 — Published by ordei al 
 ths Inspector (xeueral of Customs, Shanghai, 1874. 
 
59 
 
 TPiference to that port. " Being," he says, " a self-constituted freec 
 port in Chinese territory it is the great centre for several branches 
 of illegal trading, as far as it affects the Imperial Customs revenue 
 and taxes. The Customs' cordon around Macao having been lately 
 completed, and non-payment of duties and dues on goods having 
 been thereby reduced to a minimum, it is to be foreseen that Macao 
 this year will lose the greater part of its trade, especially the trade 
 in tea." Mr. H. 0. Brown, the Commissioner who penned the 
 above, may certainly be congratulated on his frankness. The 
 particular position of Macao as a settlement has little to do with 
 the point at which his admission is interesting, namely, the intent 
 with which these cordons are established by the Chinese and their 
 known effect. The cordon round Macao was clearly established 
 with the direct design of destroying the trade, and this result is 
 very complacently predicted by a Commissioner in the Chinese Ser- 
 vice. The ground for doing this is said to be that the trade is 
 illegal, as far as the Imperial Chinese revenue is concerned — the 
 precise allegation made repeatedly against that of Hongkong, and 
 the only ground upon which the Chinese pretend to justify their 
 otherwise outrageous action in establishing a cordon round this^ 
 Colony. According to this admission, therefore, we are fally justi- 
 fied in coucluding that the direct object of the action of the 
 revenue cruisers is to destroy our trade and force the junks to Can- 
 ton, where they can be compelled to pay duties. 
 
 With evidence of this conclusive character of the extreme irre- 
 gularity of the whole proceedings, it seems impossible to admit the 
 full international rights of China as a nation dealt with on an equa- 
 lity without, at the same time, gravely calling into question the 
 manner in which she exercises them in connection with the particu- 
 lar case under consideration. A very important point in regard to- 
 this is whether the so-called duties which she claims are a portion. 
 of the regular revenue of China, or whether they are of an irregular 
 character, and specially designed as imposts on the trade of this- 
 Colony. There is .no doubt a nation is justified m taking such 
 steps as it may consider necessary for the protection of its- revenue 
 in its own waters — ^but it is one thing to take steps to protect a 
 revenue already existing, and another to take steps to create one by 
 waylaying the vessels coming from a neighbouring place— and not 
 only doing this, but actually going so far as to set up taxing offices 
 in the Colony itself, partly with that object, and partly with the 
 object of so harassing the trade as to force us at last to allow the 
 collection of duties in the Colony in a more regular way, or to see 
 the native trade completely destroyed. It is to this point that the 
 attention of the Home Grovernment should be most carefully direct- 
 ed, as it is here that answer is really to be found to all that can be 
 
60 
 
 urged in favour of allowing the Chinese to continue in the oppres- 
 sive course of action which they have adopted. There is no blink- 
 ing the result to which the present state of things must lead — and 
 it is high time the question be fairly faced. If, notwithstanding 
 all the above considerations, we are called upon to recognise the 
 international right of China to protect her revenue, as we recognise 
 such rights in nations who would never resort to such an under- 
 handed and audacious attack upon the trade of a friendly Power as 
 it is clear the Chinese are making, nothing will remain but to 
 make the best terms we can for the regular collection of the 
 revenue they claim. But if, on the other hand, it be held that 
 China cannot be justified in the course she is adopting, the Home 
 Government should at once set its face firmly against the blockade 
 and insist upon its being put down by the Canton officials, or, 
 failing that, take steps to put it down itself. 
 
 EXTEACT FEOM THE " DAILY PRESS." 
 
 (October 7th, 1874.; 
 We had in yesterday's paper again to record the seizure of a 
 junk leaving Hongkong, under circumstances which leave room to 
 believe that there was the greatest irregularity practiced in the 
 capture. Of course it will be too much to imagine that anything 
 will be done in this matter, as it is now the recognised rule to 
 allow the Chinese to do pretty much what they like as to seizures. 
 It is clear, however, that the policy of late adopted by the Local 
 Government amounts to giving up the whole matter to the Chinese, 
 and withdrawing even the semblance of protection from the junks 
 trading with this Colony. There may be grave State reasons for 
 adopting this course; but it is well to recognise fuUy the price 
 which we are paying for keeping up this eminently conciliatory 
 policy with the Chinese. It is nothing less than placing the junk 
 trade under the rule of the Chinese ; and permitting them to coerce 
 vessels leaving this port in any way they think most to their 
 advantage. The manner in which pressure of this kind is brought 
 to bear is of the most unscrupulous character, and is such that no 
 junk is safe from exactions or even from confiscation, and it appears 
 that all the shippers by junks in the Colony run similar risks. If 
 one of the revenue cruisers, or of the Mandarin junks under their 
 protection, overtake a junk on which there is found a small article 
 of contraband, the junk and the whole cargo are held liable to 
 seizure, and this has actually been done in many cases. It is true 
 that this extraordinary practice seems to be the custom in China 
 but it is unreasonable aad unjust in the extreme, The effect of it 
 
we learn, has been to open the door to a system of squeezing of a 
 most oppressive character. It seems that a ruse of a peculiarly 
 Chinese nature is frequently put into practice, by which junks and 
 cargoes are seized, actually without any semblance of a just cause. 
 A junk being about to leave Hongkong, an accomplice of the search- 
 ing junks applies to ship a package of some sort, knd sends some 
 muskets or other contraband goods on board without informing the 
 JTink-man of their nature. The junk is stopped the moment she 
 leaves the harbour, and the single case of contraband goods is held 
 to be sufficient to justify the seizure of the whole of the cargo as 
 well as the ship. This I'use, it is perhaps needless to say, is carried 
 out without the cognisance of the captains of the foreign-command- 
 ed cruisers, but they are made the unwitting means of carrying out 
 this system of plunder — as it can be called little else. The seizure 
 is made by them under the idea that it is bond fide, and they and 
 the Chinese get a considerable share of the value of the ships and 
 cargoes thus taken. It is impossible for the junks to steer clear of 
 this kind of persecution, except by making some species of compro- 
 mise with the Mandarin junks, or in some cases with the represen- 
 tatives of the Customs actually in the Colony, and they no doubt 
 hope to drive matters to the latter point, when they will be able to 
 raise just as much revenue as they please upon the trade of Hong- 
 kong. It is quite possible, however, that in some cases this may 
 not at present be feasible, or it may not be to the interests of the 
 cruisers and the native boats in conjunction with them to come to 
 any compromise at all, and in that case of course no quarter is 
 shown However this may be, there is no doubt that in a large 
 number of instances, the plan above described is resorted to, and it 
 is needless to point out that it is monstrously unjust and oppressive 
 to the junk trade with this Colony. How such a system is allowed 
 to go on without any protest being made with regard to it, it is 
 difficult to understand, except upon the supposition that the Home 
 Government are deliberately determined to sacrifice the interests of 
 Hongkong to their general policy with China, and have sent out 
 strict instructions to their representatives both here and at Canton to 
 adopt that course. 
 
 THE CHINESE NAVY. 
 
 VKOU THE "CHINA MAIL," 8tH OCTOBER, 1874. 
 
 The recent discussion upon the status accorded to native 
 steam war-vessels should remind our authorities of the urgent 
 necessity which exists for endeavouring to induce some reform 
 in Chinese naval matters. As the speakers at the late meeting 
 pointed out, and as it has been persistently pointed out in the 
 
62 
 
 local press for a period of some years, the present arrangements 
 are more than unsatisfactory. Although the so-called Revenue 
 and Viceroy's steamers fly what the maritime nations of Europe 
 have agreed to consider the national flag of China, it is per-, 
 fectly well-known that this concession to western prejudices 
 has not in the least affected the relation in which such vessels 
 stood towards the Imperial Government prior to their hoisting 
 the Dragon standard — that of complete disavowal, as regards 
 authority, on the one hand, or subordination on the other. 'No 
 doubt, in a roundabout sort of way, the " Provincial " gunboats 
 are in Imperial erlaploy; but the Peking officials distinctly 
 decline any direct responsibility for their actions, holding the 
 Viceroys alone answerable for anything done under provincial 
 authority. It needs no great penetration to see that the inter- 
 position oi these officials between the actual Government and 
 the commanders of such war vessels is to effectually relieve 
 both sides of responsibility which can be brought home ta 
 either, an "error of judgment" on the part of a Viceroy most 
 conveniently excusing both ; while the positiori of that official 
 invariably protects him from punishment or censure at foreign 
 instance. Matters are still worse as regards the Hoppo's boats,, 
 as the Hoppo, again, stands between the Viceroy and the ves- 
 sels, and is virtually independent of his nominal chief. The 
 only analogy for such a state of affairs, did it exist amongst our- 
 selves, would be found in an arrangement which gave the 
 Admiralty independent power over the navy, without responsi- 
 bility in any shape to Parliament or, as regarded details^ even 
 to the sovereign. It is not difficult to imagine what might be 
 the result. But to similar conditions we have, in China, to add 
 ill faith, the rapacity of Chinese officials, and a desire to harass 
 instead of aid foreign trade as far as possible. Surely it is high 
 time that something were done to bring about an alteration. ? 
 
 The action to be taken should be concurrent on the part of 
 all western governments whose subjects trade with China. 
 Their representatives at the capital should be instructed to urge- 
 upon the Peking authorities the extremely unsatisfactory nature- 
 of existing arrangements, and point out the necessity, if they 
 would avoid complications with other powers, of at once plac- 
 ing the ■ Chinese fleet on a proper and recognizable footing. 
 They should be pressed to make all appointments in the fleet 
 Imperial, and independent of the Provincial authorities; to 
 place Naval matters under the jurisdiction of a separate bureau 
 to whom direct reports on all subjects should invariably be 
 forwarded. It might be well enough to allow the Viceroys to- 
 exercise direct jurisdiction over all the vessels stationed off their 
 
63 
 
 own provinces, but the ships themselves should be drafted to 
 particular points by the Bureau alone. We suspect that th? 
 chief difficulty in carrying out any centralizing scheme would 
 be chiefly in the way of providing stores and munitions of vv^ar 
 — that imperializing the Navy would in fact involve imperializ- 
 ing the Arsenals also. This latter coiild only be done by placing 
 foreigners in charge of them, possessing much the same powers 
 and status as the foreign Commissioners of Customs at the open 
 ports. But whatever the difficulties, the necessity, both for the 
 sake of China herself, and for that of all nations trading with 
 her, is too imperative to allow the matter to be shelved. 
 
 It has been already announced that Captain Tracey, b.n., 
 has been selected to reconstitute the Chinese Navy, and we see 
 in this some hope that our proposition has already been taken 
 into serious consideration. But in any case it will be wise to 
 add foreign persuasions to the other influences already at work. 
 Of these, the most potent is, probably, the conviction to which 
 China has unwillingly come, that she is not in a condition to 
 cope effectively by sea, even with Japan. No time, therefore, 
 could be more opportune than the present for endeavouring to 
 induce a change of Naval policy, while, as regards this Colony, 
 we are actually furnishing proofs at this very moment of the 
 abuses which attend the " irresponsible " system. It needs, in 
 our belief, only a strong representation from th^ Government 
 of this Colony to induce the Foreign Office to take the matter 
 up, while we are tolerably sure of support from the authorities 
 of other nations represented at Peking. " 'Twere well done if 
 it were done quickly." 
 
 CHINESE AEMED STEAMERS BELONGING TO THE 
 
 HOPPO OF CANTON, AND EMPLOYED IN 
 
 THE BLOCKADE OF HONGKONG. 
 
 « PENG-CHOW-HAI," ^ ^ ;^ (5 guns), 200 tons, 
 
 Captain.—Q. H. Palmer. 
 Chief Officer. — H. Lane. 
 Second Do'. — 
 
 Chief Engineer — J. Crawford. 
 Second Do. — H. J. Dinnen. 
 Gunner. — J. Turner. 
 Carpenter. — W. Rye. 
 
64 
 
 "SHEN-CHI," f$^, Gun-boat, 150 toos. 
 Captain. — Fergus Scott. 
 Chief Officer. —A. Walker. 
 Chief Engineer. — J. ISinclair- 
 Second Do. — D. Steele, 
 Ouhner's Mate. — G. Waite. 
 Quarter Masters. — E. Edwards, 
 W. Foster. 
 
 "NGAN-TIEN," ^ %, Gun-boat, 140 tons.. 
 Captain.-, — A. Stuart. 
 
 Wrecked in the typhoon 22/23 Sept.^ 1874^ Captaiti 
 drowned. 
 
 "CHIEN-JUI," ^ ^, Gun-boat, 2& ton& 
 Captain. — -J. Poynter 
 Gunner. — W. Heather. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE 
 VOL. XX. No. 13, of 28th MARCH, 1874, p. 137. 
 
 GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. 
 
 No. 58. — The following Report of the Harbour Master^ 
 with returns annexed, for the year 1873, is published for 
 General information. 
 
 (Signed) J. GARDINER AUSTIN, 
 Colonial Seeretary. 
 Colonial Secretary'' s Office, 
 
 Hongkong 2%th March, 1874, 
 
 After referring, under the head of shipping, to a decrease 
 in the number of vessels arriving at this Port, the Harbour 
 Master, H. G. Thomsett, Esq., B. N., continues : — 
 
 JUNK TRADE. 
 
 " 9. The Junk Trade has shared the same fate as has the 
 trade in foreign bottoms, but it is surprising that the trade keeps 
 up at all, seeing the manner in which the Chinese authorities, 
 stationed at the outlets of the port, harass the trader. As this- 
 question is the subject of enquiry by a commission I advert to 
 it but slightly in this Report." 
 
 " 10. The decrease in the junk trade with Macao, and the 
 Ports to the North-Eastward amount to 82,212 tons * * 
 * * I trust it may fall no lower, but, strong measures are 
 being adopted by the Cantonese with a view to withdrawing it 
 from the Colony." 
 
65 
 
 EXTRACT FROM HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE 
 OF 3rd JANUARY, 1874. 
 
 No. 195. 
 
 GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. 
 
 The following Coramission under the Hand and Seal 
 of His Excellency the Governor, is published for general 
 information. 
 
 By Command, 
 
 CECIL C. SMITH, 
 Acting Colonial Secretary. 
 Colonial Secretary's Office, 
 
 Hongkong, 15th December, 1873. 
 
 [l.s.J a. E. Kennedy. 
 
 Whereas for the furtherance of Public interests, as con- 
 nected with the action of the Chinese Maritime Customs in the 
 neighbourhood of the Colony of Hongkong, and the detriment 
 of Trade arising out of alleged abuses of such action, it is 
 expedient that inquiries and investigation should be made into 
 certain Complaints wiiich have been made of such alleged 
 abuses, and generally into the results thereof; and whereas, 
 such inquiries and investigation will be most conveniently pro- 
 secuted by means of a Commission : Now, therefore, know Ye 
 that I, Sir Arthur Edward Kennedy, Knight Commander of 
 the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint 
 George, Knight Bachelor, and Companion of the Most 
 Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in- 
 Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and 
 Vice-Admiral of the same, do hereby under my Hand and the 
 Seal of the said Colony, appoint you the Honorable Phineas 
 Ryrie, Member of the Legislative Council; Henry George 
 Thomsett, Esquire, r.n., Harbor Master; and Malcolm Struan 
 Tonnochy, Esquire, Acting Registrar General, or any two of 
 you, to be a Commission for instituting and prosecuting all 
 needful or proper inquiries in that behalfj and to take evidence 
 in the premises, and to report to me all evidence so taken by 
 you, and also your opinions thereon. And I do hereby 
 require you to commence your inquiries forthwith, and to 
 proceed therein continuously and to make your report to 
 me as aforesaid with all reasonable dispatch. And I do 
 hereby empower you, during the course, and for the pur- 
 poses of your said Commission, to demand and obtain access 
 at all times to all Papers, Records, and Documents, relating to 
 the subject matter of the said Commission, being in the 
 
66 
 
 custody and under the control of the several Public Departments 
 within this Colony. And from time to time to call before you 
 and examine aU persons superintending or employed in or 
 under any of the said Departments. And I do hereby charge aU 
 persons in the Public Service to be aiding and assisting unto you 
 herein. 
 
 Given under my Hand and under the Seal of the Colony of 
 Hongkong, at Victoria, in the said Colony, this 15th Day of 
 December, a.d. One thousand Eight hundred and Seventy -three. 
 By His Excellency's Command, 
 
 CECIL C. SMITH, 
 Acting Colonial Secretary. 
 
 It wiU be seen from the above that the Blockade Commission 
 was issued on the 15th December, 1873. The Eeport was sent in 
 on the 28th April, 1874. On the 16th June, application was made 
 by the Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, 
 through their Chairman, himself a Member of the Commission, for a 
 copy of the report. The correspondence is printed at page 41, in 
 the Memorial of the Chamber, referred to in Eesolution No. 6 of 
 the Public Meeting. 
 
 The Committee of the Chamber of Commerce hoped that 
 before this time, the Members, and the public generally, would 
 have been put in possession of the facts and recommendations 
 embodied in the Eeport above alluded to, in which the Colony at 
 large has the deepest interest. 
 
 Prom the following correspondence however, it is manifest 
 that the Colony has yet to wait. 
 
 If not published sooner, it is probable that a copy of the Com- 
 missioners' Eeport and of the several Ofiicial Documents therein 
 referred to, will be called for by some Hon. Member on the' 
 opening of Parliament, and that by this means all available infor- 
 mation upon the subject of the Blockade of Hongkong may be 
 obtained. 
 
 Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce 
 Hongkong 2lst October 1874. 
 Sib, — I am requested by the committee of this Chamber to 
 inquire whetber the Government is now in a position to give the 
 Chamber a copy of the Eeport of the Blockade Commission, or per- 
 mit its publication, as ample time would appear to have elapsed. 
 
67 
 
 since my letter of June 16th last, to give opportunity for the receipt 
 of a reply from the Eight Honorable the- Earl of Carnarvon. 
 
 I am Sir, 
 Your most obedient Servant 
 
 (Signed) P. EYEIE, 
 
 Chairman. 
 Honorable C. C. Smith, 
 
 Act. Col. Secretary, Hongkong. 
 
 No. 521. 
 
 Colonial Secretary's Office, 
 Hongkong, 21 si October, 1874. 
 Sib, — In reply to your letter of this date I am directed by 
 His Excellency the Administrator to inform you that he is unable 
 to accede to your request, as no instructions have yet been received 
 on the subject from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, to whom 
 as you are aware, the Eeport has been forwarded. 
 I haVe the honor to be 
 Sir, 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) CECIL C. SMITH, 
 
 Act. Col. Secretary. 
 The Honorable P. Eyrie, 
 &c., &c., &c. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page, 
 
 Adamaon, Bell & Co 27 
 
 Administrator, H. B. The 67 
 
 American Trade with China 18 
 
 Andre, Adolf 44 
 
 Appendix. 29 
 
 Austin, Hon. J. Gardiner 32, 41, 43 
 
 Belilios, E. R 11,45 
 
 Bertrand, Camille 44 
 
 Birley&Co 27,45 
 
 Borneo Co 44 
 
 Bourjau & Co 45 
 
 Boyd, M. W 27, 44 
 
 Bramston, Attorney General 49, 53 
 
 Bret Harte 26 
 
 British Government, Chinese Policy 
 
 5, 13, 17, 22, 34, 38, 59 
 British Subjects on board Cruizers.l3, 39, 52 
 
 Brown, H. 23, 58 
 
 Burd, John & Co 25, 45 
 
 Butterfield & Swire 45 
 
 O 
 
 Canton, Clearance of Junks 38 
 
 Cap-sing-Moon, See Customs Stations. 
 
 Carnarvon, Eight Hon. the Earl of 37, 67 
 
 Chairman of Meeting 5, 27 
 
 Chamber of Commerce 9, 12, 16, 18,31, 37, 66 
 
 Channel Islands 12 
 
 Chartered Bank of India, Australia and 
 
 China 27, 44 
 
 Chartered Mercantile Bank of India London 
 
 and China 44 
 
 Charter of Hongkong 30 
 
 Chater, C. P 45 
 
 *' Chien-Jui" Gun Boat 64 
 
 China Fire Insurance Co 27 
 
 "China Mail" 13, 61, end 
 
 China's Sovereign Rights, see Recognition. 
 
 Chinese Officials, fear of 16, 22, 24 
 
 Chinese Petition, see Petition. 
 Chun-Chow, see Customs Stations. 
 
 "Chung Sune" 45 
 
 Colonial Secretary, Hon. .. ! 
 
 25, 32, 41, 65, 66, 67 
 
 Commission on Blockade 24, 27, 41, 65 
 
 Comptoir d'Escompte de Paris 44 
 
 Consul, British at Canton 32, 35, 40 
 
 Consul, Chinese 26 
 
 Cordes, J. F 11 
 
 Cotton Industry 18 
 
 Coughtrie, J. B 27 
 
 Creagh, C. Vandeleur, Sheriff 1, 4, 5 
 
 Customs Duties, Proper Collection of 44 
 
 Customs Office in Hongkong 6, 11, 25 
 
 Customs Stations 10, 21 
 
 D'AguUar, Cape Piracy 38, 50 
 
 "Daily Press" 57, end 
 
 Dalrymple, H. L 27 
 
 Davies, B 45 
 
 Deacon, Richard 45 
 
 Deane, Captain Superintendent Police .... 51 
 
 Deetjen & Co 45 
 
 Degonaer, Frederick 45 
 
 Dennys, H. L 47 
 
 Dennys, ST. B 13 
 
 DolaUjW 13 
 
 Elliot, Sir Charles' proclamation 12, 19, 29, 33 
 English Government, see British Govern- 
 ment. 
 Englishmen, see British Subjects. < 
 English weak and Chinese strong 17 
 
II 
 
 Page. 
 
 "Farmer" of Custom's Duties 1 
 
 Pishing toats 20 
 
 Flag, Chinese Dragon 10 
 
 Fooohow 10 
 
 Foo-Tow-Moon, see Customs stations. 
 
 Formosa 35, 36, 39 
 
 Free Trade 19,23 
 
 Freights low 20 
 
 French Government : 10, 12 
 
 German Trade with China 18 
 
 Gibh, Livingston & Co 5, 45 
 
 Gilman & Co 45 
 
 Greig, James 6, 44 
 
 Guernsey, See Channel Islands. 
 
 Gun Boats 5, 9, 10, 11, 19,46, 62 
 
 Gun Vessels of the Hoppo 63 
 
 XX 
 
 Hainan Trade 38, 39 
 
 Harbour Gates 5, 11 
 
 Harbour Master 7, 12, 20, 64, 65 
 
 Harbour Master's Report 64 
 
 Havre 10 
 
 Hayllar, Thos. Child 47 
 
 Heard, A. F. of Augustine, Heard & Co . . 45 
 
 Heard, Geo. F 44 
 
 HoUiday, Wise & Co 25, 45 
 
 Hongkong again dependent 16 
 
 Hongkong and Shanghae Banking Corpora- 
 tion 6, 44 
 
 Hoppo of Canton 1, 6, 10, 11, 12, 37 
 
 Hoppo's Gun Vessels 63 
 
 Hughes, Mr 10 
 
 Hoppius, H 12 
 
 "Hongkong Times," Police and Supreme 
 Court Reports end 
 
 Jardine, Matheson & Co 6, 57 
 
 Jensen, Rud 25 
 
 Jersey, See Channel Islands. 
 
 Jui, See Viceroy. 
 
 Junks, overhaul of.. ..5, 9, 11, 34, 37, 46, 60 
 
 Junk trade 6, 7, 11 
 
 Jurisdiction of Hongkong Supreme Court.. 49 
 
 Page. 
 
 Karberg, P *> ** 
 
 Kennedy, H. E. Sir A. E.— k. c. m. g. and 
 c.B. Governor, and Vice Admiral of 
 
 Hongkong 24, 65 
 
 Kerr, C. Morland 16, 44 
 
 " Kum Hop Sing " Junk 18, 34, 40 
 
 " Kum Shun Hing " Junk 18 
 
 Xi 
 
 Lammert, Atkinson & Co 23 
 
 Lancashire, Manufacturing Interest 22 
 
 Land Sale 19,29,30 
 
 Lane, Crawford & Co 23 
 
 Lapraik, Douglas & Co 84, 
 
 Lapraik, J. S 12 
 
 Latitude and Longitude of Hongkong 31 
 
 Lee-Lum-Q,uai 22, 55 
 
 Lekin (War-tax) 38, 39 
 
 Lowcock, Henry 5 
 
 3VC 
 
 Macao Blockade 10, 14, 23, 59 
 
 MaoDonneU, Sir Richard Graves c.B . .26, 31 
 
 Map after Title 
 
 McGregor, R. & Co .' . ■ . 7 
 
 McEwen, Frickel & Co 13, 23 
 
 Mclver, A 44 
 
 May, Hon. Chas 46, 50 
 
 Melchers, & Co .45 
 
 Memorial of Chamber of Commerce 37 
 
 Messageries Maritimes 44 
 
 Mody, N. &Co 45 
 
 Morgan, Wm. M 45 
 
 Mylne, H. A 27 
 
 INT 
 
 National Bank of India 44 
 
 Nelson, H. H 44 
 
 "Ngan-tien," Gun-Boat .64 
 
 Mcaise, H 44 
 
 Nolle Prosequi 39, 50 
 
 O 
 
 OfB^eers of the Hoppo's Gun Vessels 63 
 
 Olyphant & Co 45 
 
 Oriental Bank Corporation 16, 44 
 
 Overhaul of Junks, see Junks. 
 
 X» 
 
 Palmer, Capt. "Peng-Chou-hai " 39, 40 
 
 Palmerston, Lord 23 
 
Ill 
 
 " Peng-Chou-Hai" 11, 19, 39, 63 
 
 Peninsular & Oriental S. N. Co 44 
 
 Petition of Chinese Merchants 16, 22, 33 
 
 Philippe, A 44 
 
 Piracy see "Chung Sune" 
 
 see " Kum Hop Sing" 
 
 see " Kum Shun Hing" 
 
 see D'Aguilar Cape 
 
 see " Spark" , 
 
 Property Value 8, 9, 13, 20, 25 
 
 Public Meeting 1 
 
 Pustau, Wm. & Co ; .... 11, 45 
 
 Recognition of China's equality 14, 21 
 
 Eeiss & Co 45 
 
 Eemedios, J. J. dos 24 
 
 Rendition of pirates 39, 50 
 
 Report of Commission on Blockade 
 
 27, 41, 43, 66 
 
 Requisition 1 
 
 Resolutions at Puhlio Meeting, I 6 
 
 n 10 
 
 in 11 
 
 IV 12 
 
 V 16 
 
 ■VI 16 
 
 VII 24 
 
 VIII 25 
 
 IX. 27 
 
 Robertson, Sir Brooke, C.B., H.B.M. Consul 
 
 at Canton 24 
 
 Rowett, Hon. Rd 25 
 
 Rozario, & Co 45 
 
 Russell & Co. 45 
 
 Ryrie, Hon. P 5, 7, 9, 11, 42, 44, 65 
 
 Salt Tax 38,39 
 
 Sandeman, R. H :44 
 
 Sassoon, David Sons & Co 45 
 
 Sassoon, S. D 27, 44 
 
 Secretary of State for the Colonies, Right 
 
 Hon. The 25,42,67 
 
 ShadweU, Admiral, c,b., f.e.s 25 
 
 Shanghae 10 
 
 Edmund, Crown SoUoitor 49, 52 
 
 Sharp, GranviUe of Sharp & Co 5, 17, 45 
 
 " Shen-chi," Gun-Boat 64 
 
 Sheriff 1,4, 5 
 
 Ships of War 10,11 
 
 Siemssen & Co 12, 45 
 
 SUk, Australian 23 
 
 Smale, Sir John, Chief Justice 47, 52, 55 
 
 Smith, Hon. Cecil C 66, 66, 67 
 
 Snowden, Justice 52 
 
 " Spark " Piracy 22 
 
 Sovereign Rights of China, see Recogni- 
 tion. 
 
 Squeezing 21, 26 
 
 Stations, see Customs Stations. 
 
 Steam Launches 5, 9, 11 
 
 T 
 
 Tea, Indian 23 
 
 Thomsett, H. G. — R. N. — See Harbour 
 Master. 
 
 Tonnochy, M. S 61, 65 
 
 Tracey, Captain, R, N 63 
 
 Trade, Import 8, 12 
 
 Treaty of Tientsin 13, 31, 43 
 
 Treaty Ports better off than Hongkong. . . 11 
 
 Truth disregarded 21 
 
 Turner & Co 5, 45 
 
 Value of Property, see Property. 
 
 Vattel 15 
 
 Viceroy Jui's Proclamation.. . .13, 18, 25, 32 
 Vogel, Hagedorn & Co 45 
 
 Walker, Robert 12 
 
 War Vessels, see Ships of War. 
 
 Welsh, D 7, 11 
 
 WhittaU, Hon. James 6, 7, 67 
 
 ■ TET 
 
 Tangtsze River 10 
 
 Yeong-a-Mow 66 
 
 Yeong-a-Pat 56 
 
 Yorkshire Manufacturing Interest 22 
 
The reports contained in this Pamphlet of the proceedings hefore 
 the Magistrates, and at the Supreme Court, are extracted principally 
 from the Hongkong Times; the account of the Public Meeting being 
 compiled from the Daily Press, Hongkong Tvmes, and China Mail.