(No. 3.)

Loo, governor-general, &c. &c. to the hong-merchants.

It appears that the outside barbarians of the English nation, trading to Canton, have hitherto only had permission for taepans, &c., at the period of buying and selling goods, to request and obtain a red permit (i. e. one bearing the stamp of the great hoppo) to come in or go out of port. In all things they have had rules and regulations, fixed by memorial to the emperor. They have never had such an affair as a barbarian eye coming to Canton. It was before authenticated that the Hee of Heängshan district reported that the English cruiser Chads, bringing a barbarian eye, Lord Napier, had sailed in from the outer seas; and that, on inquiring it was found, he had come to Canton to examine and superintend the affairs of commerce.

I, the governor, having examined, find that a barbarian eye is not on a par with barbarian merchants. The business being one to be newly commenced, without a report being made and a mandate received, he can not have permission to come of his own accord to Canton. I issued orders to the hong-merchants to go to Macao and enjoin orders requiring him to reside at Macao. If he desired to come to Canton, he was required to inform the said merchants, that they might petition me, the governor, and respectfully wait until having reported, I should receive an imperial mandate; then further orders might be issued to

command obedience.

Thereafter, the said merchants not having yet reached Macao, the said barbarian eye set out and came to Canton. Neither having in the first place made a plain petition, nor having in the next instance obediently obtained a permit, he, with precipitate haste, came in a sailing-boat to Canton. It is indeed a great infringement of the laws. Considering that the said barbarian eye has but newly arrived, and is unacquainted with the dignity of the statutes of the Celestial Empire, he is absolved from strict investigation.

The said merchants have been again ordered to enjoin commands and to investigate. But for what purpose the said barbarian eye has come to Canton, and why he did not apply for a permit,-it does not yet appear that the said merchants have obtained any clear information or made any report.

On examination I find, that in all that relates to outside barbarians coming to Canton to trade, the hong-merchants are in every respect held responsible for keeping up strict investigation, controlling and restraining. The said merchants (those sent to Macao) have filled the situation of seniors over the Lerchants for many years. How is it that they understood not the fixed laws, but after repeated orders, indulge their own dispositions, deferring and delaying ? What is it that occupies their minds? It is extremely inexplicable! It would be right to take the circumstances of the said merchants' negligent connivance at the conduct of the outside barbarians, and at once report against them (to the emperor). In indulgence, I once more command urgent haste. When this order reaches the said merchants, let them immediately act in obedience to it, and enjoin in an explanatory manner the previous orders. Let them inquire fully for what purpose the said barbarian eye has come to Canton, and why he, without obtaining a permit, precipitately came (to the provincial city). And let them report in answer. Let them at the same time command the said barbarian eye immediately to set off and leave the port. He must not stop in the foreign factories, outside the city, loitering about. If he have affairs requiring his immediate superintendence, let him temporarily reside at Macao, waiting till a prepared report has been made requesting to know the imperial will that it may be obeyed. Should he dare to resist or oppose, it will be all owing to the indulgence and connivance of the said merchants. The affair concerns the national dignity. I, the governor, will be able only to report against the said merchants, that they may be brought to trial. Say not that you were not forewarned. Tremble hereat. A special order.

Taoukwang 14th year, 6th moon, 24th day. [July 30th, 1834 ]

(No. 4.)

Loo, governor-general, &c. &c., to the hong-merchants.

On the 19th day of the 6th inoon (July 25th), I received the following communication from Chung, superintendent of the Canton maritime customs:

"The domestics at the custom-house station behind the Factories (¿.e. the river side in front of the Factories), have reported as follows:-'In examining we perceived, during the night of the 18th of the present inoon, about midnight, the arrival of a barbarian ship's boat at Canton, bringing four English devils, who went into the barbarian factories to reside. After having searched, we could find no permit or pass. And having heard by report that there is at present a ship of war of the said nation anchored in the outer seas, but not having been able to learn for what purpose, we think that such coming as this is manifestly a clandestine stealing into Canton. Whether or not the hong-merchants and linguists are in any way consorting with them, we must, in making our report, request you, as our duty requires, to examine. This is a list of the four barbarians' names :--Lord Napier, who we hear is a war commander, Davis, Morrison, and Robinson.'

I, the hoppo, having received this, have examined, and find that when barbarian merchanis, who come to Canton province, have to come to the provincial city, or go down to Macao, the regulations require that the hong-merchants should made a petition requesting for them a permit, and that I, the hoppo should then forward a communication to your honorable office, and also should send information to the Kwangchow heě, or to the Macao assistant magistrate of the department, that they may send a military escort. This has long been the mode of conducting the affair, which has been obeyed and practiced, as is on record. "Before this, the weiyuen [deputed officers] of the Macao custom-house reported, that an English cruiser Chads had anchored at Cabreta offing; and that on board the vessel was a barbarian eye, come to examine and superintend the mercantile affairs of the said nation's merchant ships trading to Canton. I, at that time sent a communication to your honorable office for examination. I also gave orders to the hong-merchants to be replied to after examination. But the hong-merchants, without having in the first instance, reported the English cruiser and barbarian eya's arrival at Conton : and without having in the second place, when orders had been give them to examine, made any report of doing so, have at last permitted the barbarian eye to come clandestinely to Canton. How, in this way, can the precautions against foreigners be rendered forcible, and the dignity of imperial servants be made more awful and imposing! Although the barbarian eye be unacquainted with the laws of the Celestial Empire, how can the hong-merchants have the excuse of ignorance, that they should audaciously presume, without having asked and obtained a permit, to suffer him to come to Canton! Truly there is no respect for the laws before their eyes!

"Besides again issuing a strict order to the hong-merchants to examine and reply, I also forward this communication, that having examined, you may with severity command the hong-merchants to examine and act."

This coming before me, the governor, 1 find on examination, with regard to the English barbarian eye coming to Canton, that 1, the governor, have already issued repeated orders to the said merchants to be by them enjoined authoritatively, as is on record. Having received the communication as above, I unite the circumstances and again issue this order. When it reaches the said merchants, let them immediately obey, and in accordance with the tenor of the several previous orders, ascertain clearly for what the said barbarian eye has come to Canton, and why in disobedience to the regulations, he has not requested a red permit. Let them instantly on the same day, report in answer. At the same time, let them order and compel him immediately, with speed, to return to Macao, and reside there, waiting till I, the governor, have made a prepared report, to request the imperial will to be made known, that it may be obeyed. Should there be any opposition, the said merchants will be held solely responsible. Tremble hereat,-intensely, intensely, tremble! These are the orders. Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 25th day. [July 31st, 1834.]

(No. 5.)

Chung, by imperial commission, superintendent of the port of Canton, &c issues this order to the hong-merchants requiring their full acquaintance with it. I have received a communication from his excellency the governor, which is as follows:-~

"Regarding the outside barbarian ships which trade at Canton, under what circumstances they should be allowed to pass, and under what stopped, in entering and leaving the port, and regarding the residence of barbarians in factories, there have throughout past times been regulations, established by report to the emperor; and to which obedience has been directed by official communications as is on record. Of late, the foreign ships have daily increased. English Company is dissolved and terminated, and now a barbarian eye (or chief) has come to Canton. The departure and the entrance of vessels and all other things must continue to be in conformity with the old regulations.

1.

The

"Beretofore it has been allowed to the English barbarian eye and ship masters to go about in ship's boats bearing flags; but except barbarian eyes and shipmasters, none can irregularly travel in flag-bearing boats. For sending letters out and in, they are only permitted to use sinall sampuns (boats). Those proceeding from within outward, must report and be examined at the Tsungseun custom-house (below Dutch folly, near Canton); and those proceeding from without inward, must report and be examined at the Wongtong customhouse at the Bogue. If those custom-houses on examination find no arms or contraband goods, they must give them a permit, to be shown to the war vessels and forts, that they may allow them to pass. Vessels with passports to Whampoa, must give them up at the Whampoa custom-house; those with passports to the cruisers must give them up at the Wongtong custom-house at the Begue; and those which come to the city, must deliver up their passports at the Tsungseun custom-house. If, on examination, arms and contraband goods be found, the custom-houses are not permitted to give them passports; nor are the war vessels allowed to let them pass.

2.

"The barbarian merchants at Canton are not permitted to bring up musketry or cannon. Hitherto the custom-house people have been held responsible for making search and examination, and the military for inquiring and investigating and if they should fall in with a barbarian clandestinely moving guns or military weapons, with the intention of bringing them to Canton, they are required to unite their utmost efforts to prevent and stop him, and must not suffer him to proceed. Should the military fail to make discovery or go to the extreme of knowingly conniving, so as to allow of a barbarian clandestinely bringing guns and cannon to the city, such military officers and privates shall be brought up immediately to trial and punishment.

3.

The barbarians are not permitted to bring foreign women clandestinely up to Canton; if they dare willfully to oppose, their traffic shall be immediately stopped; and (the women) sent back by force to Macao At the same time the examining military patrol attached to the custom-houses are made responsi ble, if they should find barbarians bringing foreign women to the city, iminediately to stop them, send them back, and give notice to the forts not to allow them to pass inwards.

4. "When the barbarian merchants are lodging in the factories of the hongmerchants, the latter are to be held responsible for keeping up a diligent control and restraint upon them: not allowing them to go out and in at their own pleasure, lest they should have intercourse or clandestine arrangements with traitorous native...

5. "When the barbarians wish to petition on any affair, if the affair be not of importance, they should deliver their petition to the security merchants to present for them; the barbarians are not permitted to presume to go to the city gate and present petitions themselves. On all the ordinary affairs of trade, their petitions should be presented at the hoppo's office.

"On further examination I find, that in the 21st year of the reign of Keäking [1816], the then governer Tseäng established a regulation of the following im. port That the barbarians being closely confined to the barbarian factories, it is apprehended that sickness and disease may arise among them; they are therefore permitted, as formerly, to go to the Haechwang sze [Honam temple], and to the Flower-gardens [Fah te], to saunter about and obtain relaxation. Each month they are permitted to go but thrice, viz, on the 8th, 18th and 28th days; on each occasion, the number of individuals must not exceed ten. The linguists are required to take them past the custom-houses at the back (1. e. front) of the

factories and to the West fort, and there report respecting them. And they are required again by sunset to be at the custom-houses and report their return to the factories. They are not allowed to drink wine and create disturbance, nor to remain out over night. Besides they are not allowed to saunter about at pleasure in the villages and market-places near the city; in this way the causes of disturbances will be avoided.' This is on record.

ca

"The above are all old established regulations, which will not bear irregularly to be transgressed. If the custom-houses, with the naval officers and men of the port, do indeed truly and conscientiously examine and investigate, how the barbarian vessels enter and depart, wandering about at their own plea sure! With regard to the barbarians' dwelling in the merchants' facries, it devolves entirely on the local officers to govern and direct the hong-merchants that they may instruct them in the established laws, and from time to time restrict and restrain them; not suffering the laws, in length of time, to become slow of operation.

"I have sent a communication to the naval commander-in-chief, that he may transmit to all the naval commanders of the port, and to the officers and men of the forts. orders to this effect: that they act in obedience to the old regulations, and if any barbarian ship be entering the port, not having stopped to be examined at the custom-house, and having asked and received a red permit, or having on board foreign women, guns, or other military weapons, they shall immediately stop her, and not suffer her to enter: and that if any dare secretly to connive, the military of the stations passed by the vessel shall assuredly be by name reported against, tried and punished; but that the common small boats carrying letters, and barbarian trading ships other than these, having obtained their passports, must according to the regulations, be permitted to go in and out, receiving their passes as they arrive, and must not be irregularly stopped. "Besides this, I do also, as is incumbent on me, forward this communication to you (the hoppo), hoping you will immediately give orders to the writers and tide-waiters of all the custom-house stations to examine and act up to the old regulations; -to search and investigate carefully, closely, and minutely; looking after the entrance and departure of barbarian vessels, and not suffering them to go in and out at pleasure. Hoping, also, that you will give orders to the hong-merchants to explain authoritatively to the barbarians the old regulations, that except on the 8th days (i.e. 8th, 18th, and 28th), they they are not permit ted to go out to ramble; and that you will at the same time command the linguists, that except at the fixed periods, they are not confusedly to take them out to ramble, thereby bringing on themselves inquiry, &c."

This coming before me the hoppo, I, * * [he merely reiterates the orders of the governor and closes in the favorite language,] oppose not. A special edict. Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 28th day. [July 4th, 1834.] Immediately after the receipt of these edicts by the hong-merchants, no slight sensation was felt among all the natives in any way connected with foreigners. The sampans belonging to the residents were stopped, and their keepers absconded; some of the compradors were also missing; the hongmerchants and linguists were summoned before the Kwangchow foo; and the British trade was soon suspended. On the 22d, three officers were sent by the governor to visit Lord Napier; others, we hear, are to visit him to-day (the 30th). Our limits allow us only to remark further, that two British ships of war have anchored at the Bogue, and that notwithstanding all these movements another calm (it may be momentary) has ensued. We omit here to say a word concerning the abusive epithets with the edicts are filled; every thing on this point will be ineffectual, until the Chinese are convinced that they have their equals.

Saturday, 30th. Two imperial commissioners, Shing and Sae, are daily expected at Canton; the latter is accompanied by Yang, an officer of high rank. Pang Neën, a slave of the emperor's, is also coming down from the capital to take the place of hoppo Chung. Literati, about 10,000 in number, have collected in the city, for the triennial examination, which commences in a few days. There are also here Siamese and Cochinchinese tribute-bearers.

THE

CHINESE REPOSITORY.

VOL. III. SEPTEMBER, 1834. No. 5.

ART. I. Japan: its government, laws, munners, customs, religion, literature, together with brief notices of its intercourse with foreign nations. Continued from page 160.

"WITH respect to the Japanese government," says Mr. Fisscher, a very false idea of it is commonly formed in Europe, where it is looked upon as an absolute despotism, which prevents its subjects from living contented and happy. It is undoubtedly a despotism, but one which does not degenerate into arbitrary power. The laws are severe, it is true, but every individual knows what they are, what they permit, and what they prohibit. No one, whatever be his rank, can by illegal acts intimidate an inferior, and force him to comply with his desires. The laws of Japan, like those of every other country, are not perfect, but they are put in execution, and he who conducts himself well, and whose conscience can not reproach him, has no reason to fear them. No individual in Japan is above the law, and all its institutions tend to secure person and property, to a degree which is rarely found in Europe. The Japanese are perfectly free and independent; slavery is a term unknown in the country, and they are not compelled to perform any labor without remuneration. An active workman enjoys a high degree of esteern; the inferior classes of people have few wants. The mildness of the climate, and the fertility of the soil, give to Japan the advantage of having all the necessaries of life in such profusion, that they would suffice for double its present population; so that indigence and pauperism are unknown there; and the relations between superiors and inferiors, founded on mutual harmony, produce real content and universal confidence. Each individual is happy in his position; the servant does not seek to elevate himself above his master, and the youth does not study to abuse his talents, in order to undermine the authority of the aged. That country is surely well governed, in which we recognize no other authority than the law, before which all are equal, where everything conspires to guaranty the security of person and 26

CHI: REP: VOL. III.