In the first week in June, all our ships of war and transports had
left the Canton River, and were again assembled at Hong-Kong. All the
forts from Chuenpee upwards had been restored to the Chinese, without
any other stipulation except that all those below Whampoa should be
suffered to remain in _statu quo_.
The emperor seems to have been much displeased with the latter part
of this agreement; and, in reply to the memorial of Yih-shan upon the
subject, his majesty directed that "_secret means_ of defence should
be prepared as soon as the foreign ships had withdrawn from the river,
and that they were then to build new and strong forts, and repair the
old ones." On our side, however, nothing of this kind was permitted
below Whampoa; so that, until the ratifications of the treaty of peace
had been actually exchanged, the whole of the defences of the Bogue
remained in the same dilapidated state in which they were left when our
squadron quitted the river in June, 1841.
Sickness had already begun to prevail among our troops before they had
reached Hong-Kong. The eight days' exposure which they had endured upon
the heights of Canton sowed the seeds of ague and dysentery, which
proved far more formidable energies to us than any troops the Chinese
could bring against us. After the lapse of a few days, and when the
excitement of active operations on shore, and the cheering influence
of hope and novelty had subsided, the sickness spread among the men
with alarming rapidity, so that, at length, out of our small force, no
less than _eleven hundred men_ were upon the sick-list at Hong-Kong.
Part of this alarming state of things must be attributed certainly to
the pernicious influence of the atmosphere of Hong-Kong itself at that
season of the year. But every allowance must be made for the exposure
which the men had undergone at Canton, and for the susceptibility of
constitution produced by long confinement on board ship. The germs of
disease were planted in their bodies before the men returned to the
harbour of Hong-Kong; and, therefore, an undue stress was laid at the
time upon the unhealthiness of Hong-Kong itself. It is worth while
here to mention, that the three imperial commissioners laid particular
stress upon the known unhealthiness of the neighbourhood of Canton at
that season, as a ground for the impossibility of keeping any large
body of troops long together; and it happened, remarkably enough,
that two of the high officers died as nearly as possible at the same
time--one on the part of the Chinese, and one on our side. Lung-Wan,
one of the imperial commissioners, died of fever at Canton about the
middle of June; and Sir Le Fleming Senhouse, the senior naval officer,
also died of fever at Hong-Kong on the 13th of that month.
Sir Le Fleming Senhouse had partaken of all the privations of the
troops on shore, and exposed himself on every occasion in which his
zeal and example could serve the cause. He was, moreover, undoubtedly
chagrined at the unlooked-for termination of his labours by a truce,
the provisions of which, right or wrong, scarcely accorded with his
own views of the exigencies of the moment. All these causes combined,
acting upon a not over-strong constitution, sufficed to hurry him by
sickness to his grave. On the 17th, his remains were removed to Macao,
according to a wish which he had expressed before his death, as if
he retained a lurking doubt whether Hong-Kong would not some day or
other be restored to the Chinese. The Nemesis was employed upon this
melancholy occasion, to carry over his remains. At Macao, the body of
the gallant veteran was buried, with all the honours due to his rank,
in the English burial-ground.
The loss of Sir Le Fleming Senhouse and other officers, as well as a
good many men, and the prevailing sickness on board all the vessels of
war and transports, at length threw a gloom over the whole expedition,
which was hardly to be relieved until the expected movement upon Amoy
should take place: this was accordingly looked forward to with great
anxiety.
The island of Hong-Kong, which was originally ceded to us by the terms
of our treaty with Keshen, but, in consequence of the disallowance of
that treaty by the emperor, was afterwards only held by us by right of
occupancy during the progress of hostilities, was at length confirmed
as a possession of the crown of Great Britain by the ratification
of the treaty of Nankin. It was proclaimed as a part of the British
empire, and, together with its dependencies, erected into a separate
colony, on the 26th of June, 1843, under the designation of the "Colony
of Hong-Kong."
It is difficult to ascertain what are the actual dependencies of
Hong-Kong. They, probably, include all the small islands immediately
adjacent to it, particularly on its southern side; but whether
Lamma Island is comprised in them or not, we have little means of
judging. In the proclamation, dated at its capital town, Victoria,
and published by the authority of Sir Henry Pottinger, the colony is
said to be situated between twenty-two degrees, nine minutes, and
twenty-two degrees, twenty-one minutes, north latitude, which would
give it an extent of twelve miles from north to south; so that Lamma
Island, as well as the smaller adjacent islands, would appear to be
included in the dependencies. The extent of the colony from east to
west is not distinctly laid down, as only one meridian of longitude is
given-namely, 114° 18' east longitude from Greenwich.
The position assigned to the island of Hong-Kong in the maps is,
probably, incorrect, as it does not coincide with that laid down by Sir
Henry Pottinger in the proclamation. The greatest length of the island
itself is from east to west--namely, eight miles; but the breadth is
extremely irregular, varying from six miles to about two miles only.[53]
The present capital, Victoria, extends for a considerable distance
along its northern shore, and, from the nature of the ground, has
of necessity been, built in a very extended, straggling manner. The
distance across to the mainland of China, if it can be so called, (for
part of the opposite coast is probably an island,) varies considerably.
The breadth of the Lyemoon Passage to the eastward is little more than
a quarter of a mile, but from the town to the nearest point opposite to
it is about a mile and a quarter, while the greatest breadth is upwards
of four miles.
The roads of Hong-Kong and the Bay of Victoria form an excellent
anchorage, having deep water very near the shore, and only one small
shoal having sixteen feet water upon it. There are, however, two
disadvantages under which it labours: it is exposed to the full fury of
the typhoons whenever they occur; and the high mountains of Hong-Kong
intercept the genial breezes of the south-west monsoon during the
hot season, when a movement in the atmosphere is most necessary, not
only to moderate the sultry summer heat of a tropical climate, but to
dissipate the unhealthy vapours which are generated after the heavy
rains which occur, particularly during the night, at that season.
In other respects, the lake-like appearance of the harbour is
beautiful; it forms a sort of basin, lying between the mountains of
Hong-Kong and the mountains of the mainland opposite. For this reason,
however, the rains which fall are sometimes excessively heavy: the
dark, threatening clouds seem banded across from one side to the other,
pouring down their waters in torrents upon the basin between them.
The mountain sides of Hong-Kong, steep though they are, occasionally
appear almost covered with a sheet of moving water, so torrent-like
do the streams pour down their declivities. To this succeeds the
burning, tropical sun of July, with a sort of death-like stillness in
the atmosphere, which, little influenced as it is on that side of the
island by the south-west monsoon, cannot fail, if it last long without
any change, to produce fever and sickness.
Almost all tropical countries are occasionally subject to these
visitations; but, as a proof that Hong-Kong is not always exposed to
them, I may be permitted to mention that a gentleman who was once at
anchor there, in company with a fleet of full fifty sail of merchant
ships during a period of nine months, including the whole summer
season, declared that he observed _no prevailing fever or sickness of
any kind_.
The extremely barren appearance of nearly all the islands at the mouth
of the Canton River, the deep and rugged furrows which seem to plough
up their mountain sides, the exposed, rocky surface of their summits,
and the absence of soil, except in sheltered spots or hollows, seem
at once to point out that they are situated within the influence of
hurricanes and tropical rains. In this respect, the contrast between
this part of China and the Chusan Islands to the northward, is very
remarkable. The latter look as rich and inviting, both near and at a
distance, as the former appear inhospitable and barren. In the one
case, there is an industrious and thriving population, who contrive
to cultivate the surface of the mountains, frequently to their very
summits, with the greatest care and nicety; in the other case, there
is a hardy and adventurous population of fishermen, smugglers, and
pirates; the unwilling soil is only cultivated in scattered patches,
and the villages are few, and comparatively of mean appearance.
[Illustration:
MAP
OF
HONGKONG.
REFERENCE
1 West Point Barracks
2 West Point Battery
3 Chinese Bazaars--and Market
4 Chief Magistrate, and Police Office
5 Harbour Master
6 Governor's Residence
7 Barracks
8 Bazaars
9 Artillery Barracks
10 East Battery
11 Hospital--Military
12 Cemetery
13 Seamen's Hospital
14 Morrison Education Society
15 Tower and Guard
16 }
17 } Military Stations
18 }
]
The southern side of the island of Hong-Kong was visited by Capt. Hall,
in the squadron which conveyed Lord Amherst's embassy to China in 1816;
and it is, therefore, worth while to repeat here the observations
of Dr. Clarke Abel Smith upon that occasion. The bay in which the
vessels anchored was near the village of Shekpywan, and was then
called Hong-Kong Sound. It was described as "being formed by several
small islands, by which it is land-locked on every side, and of which
Hong-Kong is the principal." "As seen from the deck," says Dr. Smith,
"this island was chiefly remarkable for its high, conical mountains
rising in the centre, and for a beautiful cascade, which rolled over a
fine blue rock into the sea."
This was in the beginning of July. The rocks on that side of the island
were found approaching to basalt in compactness of structure. In
ascending the principal mountain which was near, he followed the course
of a delightful stream, which rises near its summit; and was much
struck with the extreme barrenness of the surface of the mountain, and,
indeed, of every part of the island which he was able to visit. "Yet,
at a distance," says he, "it appears _fertile_, from the _abundance of
fern_, which I believe to be the polypodium trichotomum, [of Kæmpfer,]
which supplies _the place of other plants_."
By the side of the stream, however, he found several interesting
plants. Among them the Beckia chinensis; myrtus tomentosus in
abundance, and in full flower; melastoma quinquenervia; and several
orchideous plants, of which he could not determine the varieties. There
were a great number of ferns, but not a single moss of any description.
He adds that he was unable to reach the summit of the mountain, in
consequence of the excessive heat, which, at eight A.M., raised the
thermometer to 83° in the shade, while the sun's rays, to which he was
necessarily exposed, darted through an unclouded atmosphere with an
almost intolerable effect, and raised the mercury to 120°.
On his way down from the mountain, he followed a path which led over
a small hill, or rather mound, differing in structure from the rocks
in its neighbourhood, being composed of very friable stone, of reddish
white colour, much resembling disintegrated felspar. He describes the
scenery of the island as composed of barren rocks, deep ravines, and
mountain torrents, with few characters of a picturesque kind. The only
inhabitants he saw were some poor weather-beaten fishermen spreading
their nets, and drying the produce of their toils, on the rocks which
supported their miserable huts. Its cultivation corresponded with the
apparent state and number of its population. Patches of rice, small
plantations of yams, and a little buck-wheat, were all their visible
means of vegetable support.
As regards the anchorage itself, at what he calls Hong-Kong Sound,
naval men described it as affording admirable shelter for ships of any
burden.
Such, then, is all the information acquired at that time concerning a
portion of the southern side of Hong-Kong. Little was it then thought,
that this very island would, in a few years, become a part of the
British empire.
The description given above of the general aspect of Hong-Kong, may be
considered as tolerably correct, but, by the increase of its population
since that period, and more particularly, after it became a place of
resort for our ships, even before the close of the war, the general
appearance of the island gradually improved, and the population became
augmented. At the time we took possession of the island, there was
little to tempt us to make a settlement there, except the excellent
anchorage on its northern side, having a passage in and out at either
end, its proximity to the mouth of the Canton river, and the difficulty
of finding any more suitable place for our purpose.
At the eastern end of Hong-Kong there are capital stone-quarries,
which are worked with skill and facility by Chinese labourers, so that
building is much facilitated; water is also abundant and generally
good. A long range of mountains stretches from one end of the island to
the other, of which, the highest point, called Victoria Peak, is about
two thousand feet above the level of the sea; and, at the foot of the
very mountain, part of the town of Victoria (and it would seem also its
most unhealthy part,) is built. Now, as this range of rugged mountains
extends from east to west, the harbour, and consequently the principal
part of the town and places of business lying upon its northern side,
it is self-evident that the influence of the south-west monsoon,
which prevails during the summer months, and is then most required to
dissipate the vapours generated out of the earth by a tropical sun, can
scarcely ever be felt on the northern side of the mountains. It has
even been remarked, that _in all parts of_ China, places so situated as
to be sheltered from the influence of the south winds during the summer
season, are sure to be unhealthy.
The mere temperature of a place, as shewn by the thermometer, is
neither an index to its unhealthiness or otherwise, nor to the actual
sensations produced by it upon the human body. For instance, at
Singapore, which is situated only about seventy miles from the equator,
the heat is not felt to be excessive, nor is sickness prevalent during
any season of the year. Yet rain falls constantly during the night,
the grass looks beautifully green even in the hottest season, and when
pineapples are to be seen growing wild in the hedges, and coming to
perfection. But Singapore is entirely open to the southward, and its
atmosphere is agitated and its vapours dissipated, by the refreshing
sea-breezes which constantly pass over it.
The mean temperature of the month of July last, (1843,) at Hong-Kong,
was 88°, the lowest was 84°, and the highest 92°. Hence it appears,
that the difference of temperature between day and night, is much less
than might be expected; in fact, the _lowest_ temperature was only
four degrees below the average temperature of the whole month. On one
occasion only, it rose to 92° during the middle of the day, and once
only, fell to 84° during the night.
But, if the town of Victoria is deprived of the advantage of the
south-west breezes during the hot season, it is fully exposed to the
influence of the north-east monsoon during the winter months. The
sudden change which takes place sometimes in a few hours, in the
months of October and November, is severely felt. In the beginning of
December, I have felt the cold breezes from the northward far more
piercing than the hardest frost in the still atmosphere of northern
regions, because the change is sudden. Hence, the practice among the
Chinese, of putting on a succession of warm coats, or wadded pelisses,
or taking them off one by one, according as the temperature changes,
is the only safe course for Europeans to adopt. In fact, all those
who visit Hong-Kong, or take up a lengthened residence there, must be
provided with clothing adapted to the extremes of temperature, and be
cautious not to defer the changes of costume too long; they should
rather err on the side of too much than too little clothing.
Now I am upon the subject of the unhealthiness of Hong-Kong generally,
(to which subject, however, I shall again revert,) I cannot omit to
mention that the sickness has by no means been limited to those who
resided on shore, but has to a very great extent afflicted those also
who remained on board ship. Nor did it diminish so rapidly as had
been expected, (during the past year, 1843,) as the season advanced
and the temperature diminished. On the contrary, after being in a
great measure arrested at the commencement of November, it seemed to
acquire fresh virulence towards the latter end of that month. A private
letter, dated November 3rd, says, "The men-of-war are reducing their
sick lists. The Cornwallis has now only one hundred and four; the other
day she had one hundred and sixty under the doctor's hands." Another
letter, dated the 28th of the same month, says, "The sickness is again
as bad as ever. Each ship loses a man daily. Among the troops on shore
how many are lost! Many gentlemen who have been sick, and are now
recovering, are starting off for England, for health's sake."
Health committees have, however, been established, and it is hoped
that some good may result from their investigations. All parts even
of the northern side of the island are not equally unhealthy; and it
must be remembered that a place may be very unhealthy one year, and be
comparatively free from sickness the following year.[54] It is also
remarked that the occurrence of a typhoon (though in other respects
much to be dreaded) tends materially to improve the healthiness of an
otherwise sickly place, by the violent phenomena, barometrical and
electrical, which it produces, and by which all nature is affected.
Hitherto the western and eastern extremities of Victoria Bay seem to
have proved most unhealthy to Europeans, the centre being less so.
The left wing of the 55th, quartered at West Point barracks, lost
one hundred men between June and the middle of August last; and at
length the place was abandoned, and the rest of the men sent on board
ship. At the recommendation of a health committee, the ground in
the neighbourhood was ordered to be levelled and well drained. This
essential measure will doubtless be resorted to in other situations;
indeed, it would be a matter of the highest importance, if possible, to
prohibit the cultivation of rice by the Chinese upon _any part_ of the
island. Wherever rice is grown, particularly within or verging upon the
tropics, there must be more or less unhealthiness. If compensation were
thought requisite, to reimburse the Chinese proprietors for the loss of
their crops, the amount would be small in comparison with the advantage
gained. But, in reality, where the rice-grounds (which, after all, are
very limited) had been properly drained, they might be adapted to the
cultivation of other productions equally necessary for a population
numbering so many Europeans, and less likely to be prejudicial to the
health of the community.[55]
At the eastern extremity of Victoria Bay is a considerable valley,
shut up by mountains on every side, except towards the sea. It is
laid out almost entirely in rice-grounds, and the waters of a natural
stream, descending from the mountains at the end of the valley, had
been diverted from their natural channel, and conducted by innumerable
streamlets to every part of the valley, for the irrigation of the
rice-grounds. Several houses have been built upon the declivity of the
hills around it, in the expectation that this would be the ultimate
site of a second town, as soon as the very limited space between the
mountains and the harbour, along the front of Victoria Bay, should be
completely occupied, which it bids fair soon to become. The draining of
this valley would essentially improve the condition of that important
portion of the island.
A good road has already been nearly completed across that valley, and
over the mountains to the other side of the island, leading down to
Tytam Bay, and the important village of Chek-Chu. Beyond this valley
to the eastward, on the other side of Matheson's point, are fine bold
rocks, running down to the water's edge, being also more open to the
draught of air along the Lyemoon passage, this position would probably
be a healthy one.
Having thus spoken so much concerning the northern side of the island
in particular, it may be asked what is the state of the southern side,
as regards its healthiness. Undoubtedly, the southern side, being
open to the south-west monsoon, is comparatively healthy, but there
is no harbour fit for mercantile purposes on that side, nor was any
land appropriated there for building purposes in the first instance,
because the unhealthiness of Victoria Bay was not fully ascertained,
and because, where a man's treasure or his business is, there will his
heart and his occupation be also. Doubtless, in a very short time many
of the Europeans will reside on the southern side of the island, and
cross over the mountains daily to transact their business.
The principal Chinese village, which numbered a population of about
two thousand, even when we took possession of the island, is prettily
situated on the southern side, in a sheltered bay, well open, however,
to the south-west wind. It is called Chek-Chu, and, at the suggestion
of Major Aldrich, cantonments have been formed for a detachment of
troops there, so as to separate them from the Chinese population. A
detachment of the 98th regiment, which was quartered there during the
last season, remained almost entirely healthy; and there is little
doubt that in a short time many Europeans will take up their residence
in that neighbourhood.
It is extremely difficult to form any tolerable estimate of the
Chinese population on the island. It varies continually, a great part
of the people being migratory. When we first took the island there
were probably about five thousand Chinese upon it, exclusive of the
boat-people, casual labourers from the opposite coast, and others of a
migratory description. They were distributed into fourteen or fifteen
villages or hamlets, of which the principal, as before stated, was
Chek-chu, on the southern side, situated in a bay partly formed by the
long irregular headland which runs out and takes the name of Tytam
Head. This bay, together with Tytam Bay, will doubtless soon become a
favourite spot for the retired residences of Europeans.
Since we have held possession of the island, the Chinese have naturally
been attracted to it in great numbers. The tradesmen, mechanics,
servants to English residents, labourers, boatmen, and market people,
are all Chinese. Add to these also, a small body of Chinese police,
and we shall find that the population must be considerable. In all the
warehouses of the merchants a vast number of porters and attendants
are employed; all the houses are built by Chinese workmen, and a vast
number are also employed by government upon the public roads and works.
The number of migratory, or trading people, who come down from Canton,
Macao, and other parts, is also large; so that upon the whole the high
estimate of 30,000 which has been given, may not be much overrated.
But this number probably includes the Europeans, the number of whom,
exclusive of the military, cannot be large, perhaps a very few hundreds.
The reputed unhealthiness of the town of Victoria has deterred many
from coming over from Macao for the present, who otherwise contemplated
establishing themselves on the island. The uncertainty which has
prevailed respecting the liberty to store opium, has also tended to
give a check to the originally rapid progress of the settlement.
In the meantime, the Portuguese, becoming fully sensible of the
deterioration of the value of property at Macao, owing to the sudden
rise of a rival European settlement in their neighbourhood, began
to take into consideration the propriety of rendering Macao a free
port, similar to Hong-Kong, and probably without any restrictions as
to opium. Great efforts have been made to effect this object, and the
Portuguese governor had gone up to Canton, attended by his suite, with
a view to confer with the authorities, in the hope of procuring from
the government the recognition of greater privileges than they had
hitherto enjoyed. This circumstance, together with the momentary pause
at Hong-Kong, had tended to reassure the European inhabitants of Macao,
and to raise the value of houses (which had previously fallen) from ten
to fifteen per cent.
If means should be found (of which strong hopes are entertained) of
improving the condition of Hong-Kong, as regards its healthiness, no
attempted rivalry of Macao could affect the new settlement to any
extent. It has neither a harbour for ships to anchor in sufficiently
near the town, nor ground upon which warehouses could be built, nor can
the Portuguese officers ever possess more than a very restricted, and
perhaps precarious authority.
The wonderful progress of our settlement at Hong-Kong, in the first
instance, affords perhaps one of the most striking instances that has
ever been recorded of the astonishing energy and enterprise of the
British character. Great as were the early strides made even by some
of the Australian colonies, situated too at the opposite end of the
globe, their progress, compared with that of Hong-Kong, was slow and
difficult. When our forces were assembled in the harbour of Hong-Kong,
on their return from Canton, in June, 1841, there was not a single
regularly built house fit for the habitation of Europeans upon the
island; for the Chinese villages can hardly be taken into account. When
the expedition set sail for Amoy, about two months afterwards, a few
mat-sheds and temporary huts were all that indicated the future site of
the town of Victoria, or pointed out what was soon to become the centre
of British commerce in that part of the world, and the seat of British
power upon the threshold of the most populous empire the world ever saw.
The first sale by auction of land, or rather of the annual quit-rents
only, was held in June. On the 7th of that month, Hong-Kong was
declared to be a free port, and on the 22nd, Mr. A. R. Johnston, the
deputy-superintendent of trade, was appointed acting governor of the
island.
The portion of land put up for sale, in the first instance, consisted
of only thirty-four lots, each of which was to have a sea-frontage of
about one hundred feet; but the depth of each lot, of course, varied
considerably, according to the nature of the ground. The sale of the
annual quit-rents only, payable in advance, produced no less a sum than
£3165. 10s. yearly, at this first sale. Equally high prices also were
obtained on subsequent occasions. Moreover, one of the conditions of
sale was, that each purchaser should be required to incur an outlay
upon each lot, within the _first six_ months, either in building or
otherwise, of not less than one thousand dollars, or upwards of two
hundred and twenty-two pounds sterling, and a deposit of five hundred
dollars was to be paid into the hands of the treasurer within one week,
but was to be repayable as soon as an equal amount had been expended.
Accordingly, within six months from the time above named, wonderful
improvements had taken place, although much preliminary work was
necessary before any solid building could be erected. In fact, the
first regular house built for Europeans was not completed until
September or October following; and, as it was constructed entirely by
Chinese mechanics, it assumed very much the form of a Chinese house.
The government now began to form an excellent road, called the Queens
Road, along the front of the harbour, and to encourage improvements
in every possible way. The elements of a regular establishment were
soon formed, and the nucleus of a powerful European community was soon
planted upon the borders of haughty China. Its progress from this
moment was wonderful, and no stronger argument than this can be adduced
to point out the _necessity_ of such an emporium as Hong-Kong, and the
impossibility of continuing the former state of things.
Within _one year_ from the completion of the first house, not only
were regular streets and bazaars for the Chinese erected, but numerous
large substantial warehouses were built mostly of stone, some already
finished, and others in progress. Wharfs and jetties were constructed
of the most substantial kind; the sound of the stone-mason's hammer
was heard in every direction, and a good road was in progress, and an
admirable market was established in English style, under covered sheds,
and well-regulated by the police. The Chinese willingly resorted to it,
and brought abundant supplies of every description, readily submitting
themselves to all the regulations. Large commissariat stores and other
public buildings, including barracks at either end of the town, were
finished. The road, which was carried along the foot of the hills,
extended already to a distance of nearly four miles, and a cut was
being made through a high sand-hill, in order to continue it further;
and at intervals, along the whole of the distance, substantial and even
elegant buildings were already erected. The numerous conical hills
which distinguish this part of the island were nearly all levelled at
the top, in readiness to commence building new houses; stone bridges
were in progress, and the road was being rapidly continued over the
hills at the eastern end of Victoria Bay, leading down to Tytam Bay,
and the picturesque village of Chek-chu.
The Chinese inhabitants seemed to fall readily into our ways and
habits; their labourers and mechanics worked well and willingly for
moderate pay, and came over in crowds from the opposite coast to seek
work; tradesmen crowded in to occupy the little shops in the bazaars;
two European hotels and billiard-rooms were completed; and, in short,
every necessary, and most luxuries, could be obtained with facility
at Hong-Kong, _within the first year of its permanent settlement_.
Even the Portuguese missionaries came over and built a sort of convent
and a chapel; the Morrison Education Society and the Missionary
Hospital Society commenced their buildings; more than one missionary
society made it their head-quarters, and the Anglo-Chinese College, at
Malacca, was about to be removed to this more favourable spot. A small
Roman-catholic chapel was nearly finished, and a neat little American
Baptist chapel had been opened for divine service, being the first
Protestant place of public worship ever established in that part of the
world--of course, with the exception of the old company's chapel, in
the factory at Canton. There was, however, no church of England service
performed at that time on the island--a deficiency which happily has
since been remedied.
Foreign merchants had also commenced building, and it was a curious
sight to see the hundreds of Chinese labourers working upon the
construction of _our_ houses and roads, and flocking from all
quarters to furnish _us_ with supplies, and seeking their living by
serving us in every way, at the very time when we were at war with
their government, and carrying on hostile operations against their
countrymen to the northward. At the same time, also, Chinese tailors
and shoemakers were busy in their little shops making clothes for us,
and Chinese stewards superintended our establishments, while Chinese
servants (in their native costume, tails and all) were cheerfully
waiting upon us at table: and all this within little more than one year
after the _first_ land-sale at Hong-Kong, and while we were still at
war.
There appears to have been some little mistake in the original site
of the town, the principal part of which, or, at least, the part most
inhabited by the Chinese, is situated, in a great measure, upon the
declivity of the highest of the mountains which shut in the harbour.
The space for building is very limited, and, indeed, this is the case
along the whole shore. Gradually people have spread themselves eastward
along the front of the harbour, and, probably, at no very distant
time, a second town will spring up at the eastern end of the harbour;
indeed, the buildings already erected by Messrs. Jardine and Matheson
are so extensive, as to form almost a town of themselves. But the
great distance from one end of Hong-Kong, or rather of Victoria to the
other, is already a source of great inconvenience, particularly in a
hot country. In a short time, the establishment of an exchange in some
central part will probably be undertaken, and will go far to remedy the
inconvenience.
It is unfortunate that the space between the foot of the mountains and
the edge of the sea is so very limited. It would have been a great
advantage to have been able to form a quay or esplanade along the front
of the harbour, with warehouses and dwelling-houses in the rear. But
this was not practicable; and, consequently, the back of the warehouses
in most instances faces the water, which in some measure detracts from
the appearance of the town, as seen from the harbour. Nevertheless, it
is impossible for the stranger not to be struck with the first view
of it as he approaches. He could scarcely be prepared to see so many
large, handsome buildings occupying a great extent of frontage in a
settlement so recently acquired.
There are few things more striking of the kind than the view of the
Bay of Victoria and the roads of Hong-Kong, from any one of the hills
at its eastern end towards Matheson's Point. The number of European
vessels, Chinese junks, boats of all kinds, and the long line of
handsome buildings skirting the bay, and lighted up by a brilliant sun
piercing a cloudless atmosphere, present a picturesque and interesting
scene, which is scarcely detracted from even by the barren mountains in
the rear.
As regards the defences of Hong-Kong, it is evident that our main
reliance must always be placed upon our ships of war. The two small
batteries already erected could be of little service against an enemy.
A plan was submitted by Major Aldrich, the commanding engineer, for
forming a large fort somewhere about the centre of the bay. But this
plan did not meet the concurrence of Sir Henry Pottinger, although he
referred it for the consideration of the government at home.
The question of the tenure of land for the future at Hong-Kong, or
rather the terms upon which it can be obtained from the government is
one of the highest importance. It is understood that it is not the
intention of government to permit any land to be alienated from the
crown. Future sales of land will probably be effected in the same way
as the earlier ones; that is, merely the annual rental of the different
lots of land will be put up to auction. No regulations upon this
subject have yet been issued; and, most likely, the new governor, Mr.
Davis, will have some discretionary power in fixing the precise terms
upon which the _right of occupation_ of land will be disposed of. The
system of annual rentals to government in a colony circumstanced as
Hong-Kong is,--a free port, a soil mostly barren, and an island of very
limited extent,--must appear to every one the most judicious plan to
adopt. A _permanent_ annual fund will thus be created for the purposes
of government, and one which must increase every year rather than
diminish.
Hong-Kong will always possess the immense advantage of abundant labour
at a reasonable rate. Any number of Chinamen which could possibly be
required will always be readily obtained from the mainland.
I must not omit to mention, among the strong characteristics of
English colonization, the establishment of a free press at Hong-Kong.
A newspaper is usually one of the first undertakings in an English
settlement. It has been said, in respect to colonization, that the
first thing the French undertake is to build a fort, the Spaniards a
church, and the English a factory or a warehouse; but, perhaps, it is
more characteristic still, that one of the first things the English
establish is a press. The Englishman carries with him his birthright
of free discussion; and the power of having a good hearty grumble
in _print_ compensates him for many early inconveniences of a new
settlement. There are four English newspapers published in China; the
Hong-Kong Gazette, the Eastern Globe, the Hong-Kong Register, and the
Canton Press; of which the last is published at Macao, and the other
three at Hong-Kong. In the first-named, all the government notices are
inserted by authority.
According to the latest accounts, the Morrison Institution had been
opened for some time, and the youths who were being educated were
making good progress. The Seaman's Hospital for the merchant service,
recently opened, was calculated to afford accommodation to fifty men
and officers. This institution is in a measure a self-supporting one,
a certain sum being paid daily for the maintenance of each person
admitted.
FOOTNOTES:
[53] A glance at the accompanying map will sufficiently indicate the
peculiar form of the island.
[54] Since the commencement of the present year, 1844, the sickness has
nearly disappeared.
[55] The _northernmost_ point in Europe where rice is cultivated, is, I
believe, the neighborhood of Milan. But, even there, none is permitted
to be grown within a circuit of several miles of the city, owing to the
unhealthiness which it would produce.