Before daylight on the morning of the 23rd of December, the Nemesis was
destined to take her departure from Macao, and probably to bid adieu to
China for ever. It is not too much to say, that she was regretted by
all.
Before three o'clock she was under way; and the discharge of a few
rockets and the report of her guns gave notice of her departure to the
still sleeping inhabitants, who were quite unused to the disturbance
at that early hour in the morning. It caused some little alarm among
the inmates of the houses on the Praya Grand, fronting the bay.
But the Governor, who resides there, had been previously told, in
a good-humoured way, that he must not be alarmed at a little noise
during the night. When daylight broke, the Nemesis was out of sight of
Macao.[74]
As the extent of the wear and tear of the vessel, after three years'
service of a trying kind, was not precisely known, it was not thought
prudent to run out into the middle of the China Sea, during the
strength of the monsoon. She therefore coasted along towards the island
of Hainan, in order that she might be able to take shelter, if a gale
came on. It was perhaps fortunate that she did so. The weather was
extremely pleasant and warm, but looked unsettled. The appearance of
the coast, as we ran along it, at the distance of five or six miles,
was bold and mountainous, but not very fertile, as far as we could
judge at that distance.
In the course of the day, we passed through a large fleet of
fishing-junks, dragging their huge nets before the wind. The Chinese
fishermen did not appear alarmed at the approach of the steamer, and
from one of them we procured an enormous fish, weighing no less than
eighty-eight pounds, and differing in appearance from any we had
hitherto seen. It had a large flat head, but small mouth, and was of a
greenish-yellow colour. When dressed, it was found eatable, but rather
strong.
We soon passed very near the curious conical rock, called the
Mandarin's Peak or Cap, and kept the coast in view until dark. On the
following day, the weather was extremely hazy and unsettled, and there
was a heavy swell setting in from seaward. We had hoped to have been
able to land on Hainan on Christmas-day, and to have drank the health
of absent friends on terra firma; but the hazy weather detained the
vessel, and she only anchored, as the night set in, in a fine sandy bay
in seven fathoms water; the wind howled over our heads, and made it the
more satisfactory that we had kept near the land.
As mention has been made of having passed through a fleet of
fishing-junks, it will be proper here to warn all vessels against
being off their guard on such occasions. The fishermen along the whole
coast of this part of China, as far as Canton, are rogues, pirates,
smugglers--in short, ready to take advantage of any opportunity, honest
or otherwise, of benefiting themselves. They will, perhaps, appear
quite friendly at first; and if they then find that a vessel is not
prepared to resist, or if they think that they could overpower her,
the chances are that they would not hesitate to make the attempt, when
least expected. Never trust yourself in a strange place ashore without
_at least one_ double-barrelled pistol in your pocket, and never admit
a Chinaman on board, (if a number of fishing-boats are about,) _on
this coast_, without being prepared to prevent treachery. This caution
is not unnecessary to ordinary merchant vessels, because it commonly
happens that, although they have arms on board, the ammunition can
seldom be found when it is wanted in a hurry, and not unfrequently,
when the barrels of the muskets are clean and the bayonets bright, the
locks have got no flints. It is at night that the Chinese would be most
likely to make the attempt, and for this reason the opium clippers are
always well armed and manned. This is found necessary for their own
_protection_, and not, as many have supposed, to compel the Chinese to
purchase the drug.
The bay in which we anchored was situated a little to the eastward of
Liengsoy, or Tongsoy Bay, as laid down in the charts. On the following
morning, as we proceeded towards the latter bay, we could clearly
distinguish a sunken reef, running out from the east point of it,
to the distance of nearly a mile. At the extremity of it, numerous
fishing-boats were busily occupied, and with some difficulty a pilot
was procured from one of them, to take us into Liengsoy Bay. He was
found of little use, as it was easy to make our way in without him; but
he seemed highly pleased when a dollar was given to him, with a view
to encourage others to come to the assistance of any other vessel that
might require a pilot.
Liengsoy is a fine bay, perfectly sheltered during the north-east
monsoon, but a little exposed to the south-west. From the depth of
the bay, and from its being sheltered to the westward by a long chain
of rocky mountains, it is well protected on that side, while the long
reef forms a natural breakwater upon the east side. It is open only to
the southward; and, from the height to which the sand is blown up upon
the northern beach, it is evident that the wind sets in sometimes with
great violence.
At the extremity of the bay was a narrow opening, not very easily
seen at a distance, which led into a large salt-water lagoon. We
pulled towards it in the steamer's cutter, and soon discovered a
small half-dilapidated stone fort, on the left hand, near which was a
small government station, distinguished by its flag, but the inmates
(although one of them, a fine stout fellow, was probably a mandarin)
were very poor and humble. They invited us to land, and very civilly
gave us tea, and let us smoke our cigars in their small dwelling, built
of half mud, half mats, but more comfortable within than the exterior
promised. Thence we walked along a fine sandy beach, bordering the
lagoon, until we came to a tolerable village, situated in the middle of
a fine cocoa-tree plantation. It appeared to be principally inhabited
by fishermen--fine, stout, well-made people; and the large quantity
of sharks' fins which were fixed upon stakes, and put out to be dried
by the sun, along the edge of the lagoon, sufficiently indicated the
principal occupation of the people. The huts were built of coral, mud,
and bamboo, and were ranged in long lines or lanes, and the people
seemed generally well clothed and happy. The women were not secluded,
but came out to look at our party, almost as freely as the men. All
appeared good-humoured and well disposed, and offered us plenty of
ducks, fowls, and pigs for sale. It was noticed that, even in this poor
little fishing-village, people were seen reading or writing in almost
every one of the little shops. As we left it again, the villagers
amused themselves by letting off crackers in all directions--a
Chinaman's delight. Numbers of the people followed us down to the boat
again; and two or three rupees, distributed among the most deserving,
put them all in a good humour.
We could not ascertain whether any river flowed into the lagoon or not,
but no fresh water was seen, although, from the greater number of trees
and the appearance of vegetation at the upper extremity of it, about
a mile and a half distant, we thought it probable that a small river
opened into the lagoon.
Having rejoined the steamer, we stood out of the bay again, and, having
rounded the western extremity, formed by the range of hills which run
quite down to the coast, proceeded along shore for about a mile, until
we entered another fine bay, remarkable for having three entrances, and
called Galong Bay. The coast is extremely bold and rocky, covered with
low, stunted shrubs, and there is deep water almost close in shore.
Horsburgh's description and directions were found to be quite correct;
except that the village of which he speaks could not be found anywhere
at the present time. The bay is one of great extent; and the two rocky
islands, called the Brothers, between which are the channels leading
into it from the westward, are bold and striking objects.
As we proceeded further into the bay, the appearance of its shores
improved; the steep, picturesque mountains on all sides being clothed
with wood from their summit, to the water's edge. The only perfect
shelter for ships from the south-west is under a low island, called
Middle Island, inside the Brothers, where there is a fine, sandy beach,
but not very deep water. Of course there is perfect shelter from the
north-east, and you have always the advantage of three entrances into
the bay.
Having steamed quite round the bay, the Nemesis went out again by the
broadest passage, between one of the Brothers and the main island, and
continued to coast along a bold, rocky shore, until we entered the
beautiful bay of Yin-lin-kan. The entrance to this is not broad, but
sufficiently so for ships to work in, and then it expands into a fine,
bold bay, having plenty of water in all parts. On proceeding to its
farthest extremity, we found the entrance of what Horsburgh calls a
lagoon; at its entrance it has all the appearance of a lagoon, and it
is not until you get up quite to its extremity, (which you are able to
do in boats,) that you find a river of tolerable size flowing into it.
The great bay or harbour of Yin-lin-kan is by far the best of all those
that were visited on this coast. There is fine anchorage in smooth
water, perfectly protected from all winds; indeed, the sea outside
cannot even be seen when you are fairly inside the bay. Several large
fishing-junks, of the better kind, were at anchor there; and the shores
were bold and picturesque.
Having found our way into what appeared to be the mouth of the lagoon,
it was determined to stand in, if possible, to explore it further.
The entrance was narrow, and the passage tortuous; but, by observing
the character of the shores on either side, together with the varying
shades of colour in the water, and with two good men in the chains, and
one out on the jib-boom, the channel into it was found without much
difficulty, the water being deeper than was expected. Fishing-stakes
were seen in several places, so that it seemed probable that a town or
village was not far off. The lagoon, or expanded river, was now found
to turn round to the right, or westward, and several small junks were
at anchor near a few huts upon the shore. The appearance of the country
was very peculiar, looking very like a flooded valley, about half a
mile in breadth, the shores rising up on either side with a rather
steep ascent, but leaving some low ground at the edge of the lagoon.
The steamer continued to push her way on for about one mile and a half
or two miles, through a shallow channel, until she had passed a double
line of long fishing-stakes, one on either side. The water was now too
shallow: to proceed further, and the tide was falling, so that it was
necessary to retrace our steps into deeper water, where she anchored
for the night.
On the following morning, at daylight, the weather being very unsettled
and hazy, Captain Hall determined to take his cutter and pinnace, and
proceed to the extremity of the lagoon, nearly a mile distant, in the
hope of finding a river, or probably some town or village, not far off.
The crews were well armed, in case of a surprise; and we also took our
double-barrelled guns, in the hope of getting a shot or two at some
game. As we approached the end of the lagoon, the water became very
shallow, and the passage difficult to find. We saw what appeared to us
to be deer and pheasant, in abundance, along the edge of the mountains,
on either side; but time was too precious and the water too shallow,
(it being quite low water,) to permit us to land where we most wished.
At length, after carefully searching for a considerable time, we found
a distinct entrance to a river, nearly at the right hand corner at the
end of the lagoon. It was not easy to make it out at first; as the
banks, which were low, were thickly covered with mangrove shrubs. The
country expanded into a broad, open valley, beyond which well-wooded
hills could be seen on every side. Cocoa-nut trees were growing in
abundance; and here and there we could descry, in the distance, small,
rich, green spots of cultivated ground, which made us think that we
should find inhabitants not far off. We had no difficulty in ascending
the river, but discovered no habitations or appearance of cultivation
on its banks. The bare roots of the mangroves on either side, standing
out exposed into the river, served to shew by their marks that the
water sometimes stood much higher than it then was, and that floods
occasionally took place.
At the distance of about two miles from the entrance, we came to a
narrow, wooden-plank bridge, close to which were two small junks, or
decked boats. One of our boats was sent higher up to explore; but the
river was found divided by a small island, a little above the bridge,
and the water was so shallow that the pinnace could not proceed without
difficulty. Accordingly, having left a part of the men in charge of
the boats at the bridge, and another party, consisting of an officer
and six men, being ordered to follow at an interval of less than half
an hour, Captain Hall and myself, accompanied by four men, well armed,
set out to explore the country. We soon fell into a well-beaten, sandy
cart-track, which surprised us not a little, as we had hitherto seen
nothing of the kind in China. It has been already noticed that carts
were found to be in use in the island of Formosa; and it was also known
that they were to be met with in the northern parts of China, in the
neighbourhood of Pekin.
After pursuing our way along this sandy track for about a mile, we
entered a fine cocoa-tree wood, with several neat little cottages built
in the midst of it; and presently we heard a creaking, or rather,
squeaking noise, which seemed to be nearing us. It was soon found to
proceed from three bullock-carts, rudely built of poles, covered round
with matting, and drawn by buffaloes instead of bullocks. They had more
the appearance of large bales of goods than of carts; the wheels were
made of solid wood, and the axletree was fixed in the wheel, (as at
Formosa,) but turned round under the body of the cart, causing a loud,
squeaking noise at each revolution.
Several teams of buffaloes were passed, dragging timber down to the
river-side, which must be found in abundance in this neighbourhood, and
of good quality; an important consideration for ships driven into the
bay of Yin-lin-kan by stress of weather.
We soon emerged into a fine, level, grassy plain; upon which, at
intervals, clusters of shrubs and young trees were passed. Small green
parroquets seemed to be very numerous. The soil, however, was poor and
sandy; but the mountains which bounded the plain, or expanded valley,
were covered with wood; while, lower down towards the river, (or what
appeared to us to be its probable course,) grass-lands and paddy-fields
varied the landscape. We were surprised, however, at seeing so few
people; and, compared with China Proper, the country appeared to us
very thinly populated.
The autumnal tints were still fresh upon the foliage, although it was
past Christmas-day; and the variety of the trees, and the peculiar
conical shape of some of the mountains, thickly covered with wood to
their very summits, combined to give additional interest and novelty to
the character of the country. Perhaps it struck us the more forcibly,
from being _different_ from anything we had recently seen in China
Proper. It was curious to notice the gradations of verdure according to
the height above the valley. At the bottom, everything was brown and
autumnal, at the top, it was all green and youthful, while between the
two were all the intermediate stages. Here again we thought we could
distinguish deer and pheasants in the woods along the mountain sides.
Gradually the plain became contracted, and we entered a regular sort
of narrow cart-road, overhung with trees, and cut at least two feet
below the surface, as if the better to give protection from the sun's
rays. This soon led us to some rich paddy-fields, in the neighbourhood
of a village, around which were gardens planted with the sweet potato
and other vegetables, and apparently cultivated with great care. The
village, or rather hamlet, was very inconsiderable; and we passed on
without halting, in the hope of reaching some town of consequence. The
valley continued to get narrower, and our road was now sheltered with
trees.
A walk of about four miles further brought us to another considerable
village, where we halted for an hour, and took refreshment in a large
public tea-shop. The villagers crowded good-humouredly round us, and
betrayed little fear, although we were all well armed. We only saw two
really _poor_ people amongst them, and they looked as if they were
just let out of prison. As usual, our dress, appearance, arms, and
every little trifle we carried about us, attracted great attention and
curiosity. They had probably never seen Europeans before; and when we
fired off a musket to please them, their astonishment was indeed great.
Their wants were few, and the necessaries of life appeared easily
obtained; there were some decent shops in the village, and, as usual,
plenty of people who could read and write.
Altogether the whole appearance of the country gave one the idea
of a newly-colonized spot. We saw no goats or cows, but plenty of
capital pigs and poultry. We still thought that there might be some
considerable town not far off; and by the help of a small vocabulary,
written in Chinese, (which of course they were able to _read_,) we
ascertained that there was one some miles off, the direction of which
was pointed out to us. After some hesitation, we determined to proceed;
and at length we reached the extremity of the valley, where there was
merely a footpath, running sometimes between low hills, at other times
through a dense scrub, until at length we crossed the bed of a river,
with a fine rocky bottom and a rapid stream. Here we halted, to refresh
ourselves with a cool draught, when suddenly a whole posse of people
descended the hill on the other side, and began to cross the river;
some were carried in sedan-chairs, (mandarins, probably,) some were
led with chains round their necks, while others had chains round their
legs; there were also several attendants; and one great man rode on
horseback. They had almost reached the middle of the river before they
observed us, and naturally looked somewhat alarmed at our appearance.
We saluted them, and then passed on.
Our road now lay among hills, and the ground was broken and tiresome.
We ascended one hill, which was paved all the way with large rough
stones, and we concluded we _must_ be near the town we were in search
of; and the novelty of the adventure stimulated us to go on, although
the heat was great, and we had still the whole distance to travel back
again. We now ascended a steep eminence a little out of the road, from
which we obtained a magnificent view of the country, with a fine plain
just beyond the hills, bounded by the sea in the distance. We could see
no town, but there could be little doubt that it lay somewhere in the
beautiful plain beneath us.
Having regained the principal path, we proceeded some way further along
the side of a wooded mountain, until we reached an inn by the road
side. Here again we got tea, and smoked our cigars, on perfect good
terms with the Chinese, our fellow-travellers. A consultation was now
held. It seemed probable that the town we were attempting to reach was
that of Lychew, upon the sea-coast, about ten or twelve miles from the
capital of the island. The day was already far advanced, and we had
still about twelve miles to get back again to our boats. Moreover, we
thought it very likely that by returning at once we should meet the
sedan chairs empty, and the horse without its rider, returning to the
town, after having escorted their prisoners, and thus we should manage
to get ourselves _carried_ back to our boat. We determined, therefore,
not to proceed further, although we much longed to descend into the
valley beyond.
It surprised us that, considering we were without doubt the first
Europeans who had been seen in that part of the country, the people
shewed not the slightest rudeness or troublesome curiosity. They all
seemed much more taken up with the appearance of one of the black
Kroomen, who attended us, than with the Europeans.
After proceeding two or three miles on our way back, we fortunately
met the sedan-chairs and the horse returning. We soon made them halt,
and tried to come to terms for them to carry us all the way down to
our boats. Captain Hall mounted the horse without any ceremony; but
the poor fellows who had charge of it cried so lustily, and from their
manner made us believe that they would be so terribly punished, that at
last they were allowed to proceed unmolested.
Next came a grand dispute about the sedan-chairs, rickety old things
made of bamboo; but we soon got into them, (there were only two,) and
held out a dollar; but between fear and disinclination to the job,
the men set us down, and left us in the lurch. However, as we kept
possession of the chairs, we had the best of the bargain, though it
was not a very pleasant prospect for us to sit there until it should
please the men to carry us on. At length, after some deliberation among
themselves, they agreed to carry us for a dollar each, and away we
went, greatly enjoying the fun.
On reaching the village at which we had before halted, they set us down
again in order to rest themselves, and tried every means to persuade
us to alight, and take some tea; but we were rather too old travellers
to be taken in by such tricks, and continued to keep possession of our
chairs. At length, finding they could not get rid of us, they made
up their minds to carry us on the whole way, and trotted off nimbly
enough. The easy, measured step of the Chinese bearers, who carry the
poles upon their shoulders, one on either side, with a cross piece
joining them together, and resting upon the back of the neck, is by no
means disagreeable; and considering the rudeness of the construction of
the chairs, we were surprised that the motion was so pleasant.
Presently we fell in with the other party which had been desired to
follow us, and received a very good account of the civility they had
met with from the people. Indeed, they stated that they had overtaken
a respectable-looking Chinaman on horseback, as they were marching
along, who, seeing a young midshipman of the party, among so many stout
men, very gallantly dismounted, and offered him the use of his horse;
intimating by his manner and gestures that he was too young to walk so
far. This little piece of attention was the more remarkable as horses
are seldom used by the Chinese, and are usually only found in the hands
either of people of rank or of great wealth. On reaching a road which
branched off to the left, the polite gentleman resumed his horse and
disappeared.
At length we reached the beautiful cocoa-nut wood near the river, and
refreshed ourselves with the milk of the fresh nuts, under the shade of
the trees, which were here growing to a very great height.
Having regained our boats, we found a number of Chinese collected round
them, but no violence or insult had been offered; indeed, the peasants
had brought down fowls and ducks for sale.
It was now almost sunset, and the tide was just beginning to turn, so
that we descended the river rapidly, and, as we emerged from it into
the lagoon, it was christened Hall's River, with our last glass of
cherry-brandy, a little of which we had taken with us for the journey.
As it was still nearly high-water, the appearance of the lagoon was
much more striking than it had been in the morning, and we could see
plenty of game coming out of the woods, to feed upon the little green
patches at the foot of the hills. But not a single human habitation
could be discovered. We soon reached the steamer again, and instantly
getting under way, proceeded out of the lagoon, or Inner Harbour, as it
is called upon the Admiralty chart.
It should here be remarked, that the entrance to the outer harbour or
_basin_ of Yin-lin-kan, as laid down in the chart, is much toe broad
and the bay too open; at least, such is the impression from what we
remember of the very _moderate_ breadth of the entrance, and of the
appearance of the basin when inside of it. There was a heavy swell
outside, the result of the strong breezes which had prevailed for
several preceding days.
We now stood across the Gulf of Tonquin, towards the coast of
Cochin-China, which we kept in sight all the way down. On the 29th we
ran into the large and beautiful basin, called by Horsburgh, Phuyen
Harbour, in latitude 18° 23' N., with a view to ascertain its character
and capabilities, which could be done with very little detention. The
importance of an accurate knowledge of the best harbours for ships
to run into, in the China Sea, in case of need, cannot be overrated
now that there is every probability of a great increase in the number
of merchant ships passing up and down. The great Phuyen Basin, which
in fact contains _three_ excellent harbours, is accurately described
by Horsburgh. We steamed round it in all directions, and were struck
with its beauty, and the perfect shelter it affords. The soundings
were very regular, from twelve, to five and a quarter, and four and a
half fathoms. The Buoy Rock, which is the only danger, is distinctly
seen above water, at ebb-tide, looking precisely like what its name
indicates. As we came out again at high-water, it was found covered. It
lies about half way up the first or outer harbour, at the distance of
half to one-third of a mile from the northern shore.
Just at the entrance to this harbour, near its southern shore, stands
the high, abrupt, rocky island, called Nest Island, which, although
there is deep water close in, on either side, has a coral reef running
out from its western extremity. The three harbours are, first, Xuandai,
on the southern shore, round Nest Island; next, Vunglam, on the
north-western side, about a mile and a half further up; and lastly,
Vungchao, at the end of the basin.
Nothing can exceed the beauty and security of the spot, shut in on all
sides, like a large lake, the shores being bold and mountainous, but
not much wooded. Further inland, to the westward, the country appeared
fertile and well cultivated, but not laid out in terraces along the
hill sides, as in most parts of China-Proper, but divided into small
fields with hedgerows round them, putting one very much in mind of some
parts of England.
We were disappointed in not finding a town of some size along the
shores of the basin; but, as the soil is there generally poor, while
there was evidently a rich valley a little in the rear to the westward,
we concluded that it was probably situated in that more favoured spot.
There were however two hamlets, one on either side of the extremity
of the bay, situated in the midst of a fine cocoa-nut wood; and in a
little bay in the east corner we found a very extensive burial-ground,
with a number of large tombs, and a small chapel. We could learn
nothing of its history, but concluded that it was the cemetery for
wealthy people belonging to some town not far distant. We landed, and
rambled among the curious tombs, different in appearance from those
either of the Chinese or the Malays. There were a few fishermen's huts
in the neighbourhood, but the people were poor and ill-clothed, and
their features far from prepossessing. The men were small in stature,
and in every respect an inferior-looking people to the inhabitants of
Hainan.
A vast number of large, well-built fishing-boats were sailing about
the great basin, built very sharp at both ends, and of great length.
They carry an enormous sail, very broad, but not high, cut square, but
yet not like a lug-sail. It was made of a strong kind of grass cloth.
As this powerful sail must of course endanger the safety of their long
narrow boat, they adopt a curious mode of counterbalancing it, so as
to keep the boat upright. A long straight stout spar is run out to
windward from the middle of the vessel, and upon this three or four men
(more or less according to the strength of the wind) crawl out, and sit
upon the extremity, dangling their legs over the water in a manner not
to be envied. From long habit, they sit there very contentedly, for
a length of time, almost entirely naked, and appear to think that no
other kind of ballast is needed. If the wind were suddenly to change,
they would probably get a ducking, by their own weight bearing down the
boat, with such a lever. But, as the monsoon blows pretty regularly
here, they are not afraid of sudden changes. If they have occasion to
put about, the men all come in first, and then rig out the spar upon
the opposite side, crawling out upon it again as before.
Two or three better kind of vessels were seen, differently rigged,
something like our lattine-rig, and they looked and sailed remarkably
well. The people did not appear at all afraid of the steamer, although
they looked on in evident wonder, as she moved so steadily through the
harbour.
The same afternoon, we pursued our voyage; and on the 5th of January,
the Nemesis steamed into Singapore, decorated with a number of Chinese
flags, and was cheered by several of the transports as she passed. The
next day, nearly all the rest of the squadron set sail again, leaving
the Nemesis to follow, as soon as her fuel was completed.
On the evening of the 12th, the Nemesis again pursued her voyage; and
on the 14th, at daylight, anchored in the shallow open bay of Malacca.
The view of the town and coast from the bay is striking; there is a
_Malay look_ about it, and much less of the European character than
in Singapore. There is a rich flat belt of country along the coast,
thickly covered with cocoa-nut trees; while a hill adjoining the town,
upon which there is the ruin of a church, with a flag-staff, and a
saluting battery, forms a marked point in the prospect.
Everything at Malacca distinctly indicates the "tempora mutantur" of
by-gone days; the dull stillness of the town, the mixture of Dutch
countenances, modified by long descent in a tropical country, the
_fallen-off_ look of the public buildings, point out the little value
which is set upon Malacca in the present day. The kind attentions of
the governor, however, induced us to pay a short visit a few miles
into the interior, where we obtained a splendid view of a fine, rich,
well-wooded, and well-watered country. We were evidently in the
favoured regions of the spice plantations.
We had just arrived in time to disturb a nest of Malay pirates who
had landed the day before, and had robbed one of the neighbouring
villages, killing or wounding several of the inhabitants. The steamer's
boats were immediately sent away manned and armed, at the governor's
request, and accompanied by a large hired boat, carrying a strong
body of police. A search-warrant had been obtained for the purpose of
examining two or three small junks which had recently come into the
bay, but nothing suspicious was found on board. The boats then pulled
off towards two islands several miles distant, where it was thought the
pirates might lie concealed; but nothing was discovered. The matter was
then left entirely in the hands of the police, and the steamer's boats
returned.
The same evening we again pursued our voyage towards Penang, or Prince
of Wales's Island, the so-called gem of the eastern seas. Our course
was taken as close along shore as was possible; and instead of passing
through the narrow channels between the sands in the middle of the
straits, we pushed through the Calam Strait, just above the Parcellar
Hill, and found the passage broad and safe, the shores on both sides
being bold and well wooded.
On the 17th, we reached the truly beautiful island of Penang, a spot
which becomes the more striking the oftener it is seen, and anchored
in a small sandy bay close to the fort, inside the Dido, 20, under
the command of the Honourable Captain Keppel. Enough has already
been said of this lovely spot in the early part of this work. Its
clean and regular town, its excellent roads, beautiful villas, and
rich plantations of spices of all kinds, and of cocoa-nuts, added to
the picturesque beauties of the landscape on every side, cannot be
forgotten by any who have visited them.
The hospitality and good feeling of the inhabitants of Penang cannot
be exceeded. There is a considerable population of Chinese upon the
island, (in addition to Malays, Indians, and Europeans,) who, besides
being excellent mechanics, enter largely into the cultivation of spice
trees, and often become not only honest and useful tenants, but actual
proprietors of small plantations. It is worth remembering, that from
its geographical position, there is not half an hour's difference in
the rising and setting of the sun at Penang throughout the whole year.
There is one curiosity in natural history very common on this island
which I had never seen elsewhere--viz., the trumpet beetle. Although
not large itself it has a long trumpet-shaped proboscis, or kind of
feeler, from which it emits so loud and long a sound, among the woods
by the mountain's sides, that you can scarcely believe that any insect
could possibly send forth such a tone. It gave one more the idea of
the sound which a bird might utter, such, for instance, as that of the
bell-bird, or the whip-bird, or the laughing jackass (vernacularly
called) met with in New South Wales.
One of the largest trees on record is to be found at Penang. It is one
hundred and thirty feet high to the _first branch_, and thirty-six feet
round in the largest part.
After a few days' detention at Penang, to complete some necessary
repairs and to take in coal, we bade adieu, with many regrets, to that
lovely island, and coasted along all the way towards the entrance of
the Moulmein river, at the mouth of which we found the Endymion at
anchor, having Sir Hugh Gough and staff on board. Having delivered the
despatches and letter-bags, we proceeded up the river in charge of a
pilot, for the purpose of getting coal. The river was found broader
and deeper than had been expected, well wooded on both sides; indeed,
a great quantity of valuable timber is exported from Moulmein, and
large ships are built there extremely well and cheap. The H.C. steamer
Tenasserim was built in this river after the model of The Queen, built
in England, and has answered extremely well.
Two of H.M. brigs were at anchor off the town, besides two small
vessels and gun-boats belonging to the East India Company. Moulmein
was garrisoned by a force of about 4000 men, including one European
regiment. It is the frontier town of Burmah, on its southern side,
lying just opposite Martaban, where it was said the Burmese had
collected a large army just before we made peace with China; probably
with no friendly feeling towards us. The town itself is in its infancy,
but has made great progress within the last few years. There is a
magnificent view of the surrounding country, and of the river both
above and below, and also of the distant town of Martaban, from the top
of a high conical hill, upon which are several curious temples built
after the Burmese fashion. The town must be considered rather as a
large frontier military station than as a place of trade, and the soil
is generally poor and sandy.
By the kindness of the Governor, who politely lent us some of the
Commissariat elephants, we were enabled to make an excursion to see
the very remarkable caves, distant about fifteen miles from the town.
We had to ascend the river in a boat, for some miles, when we landed
on the opposite side, where the elephants were in readiness for us.
The sun was excessively hot, so that umbrellas were necessary. As
elephant-riding was quite new to us, and the animals themselves,
moreover, were only accustomed to carry heavy burdens, it was no easy
matter to mount them at all, even when they had knelt down. At last,
however, we contrived to scramble up by the tail, making use of it as a
rope.
After a ride of seven or eight miles, we came to several isolated
wooded rocks of great height, standing up on the surface of an
extensive plain, unbroken by any other objects. They were covered more
or less with wood, from the base to the summit, the trees growing to a
great height among the crags, in a manner which made you wonder how the
soil in which they grew could have come there. The caverns were very
large and deep, showing a beautiful stalactitic formation. The effect
was extremely beautiful, when lighted up with blue lights, putting one
very much in mind of the blue grotto on the island of Capri, in the
bay of Naples; indeed, you could fancy that the sea had only recently
retired from these caverns, so fresh was the appearance of their walls.
In the cooler part of the evening, we returned to our boats, and soon
reached Moulmein again.
On the following day, having completed the necessary quantity of coal,
we descended the river, and steered our course direct for Calcutta,
which we reached on the 6th of February. We passed a great many of
our old friends, the transports, waiting for tugs to tow them up, and
arrived off Fort William, just at the most fashionable hour for the
promenade along the river side. The steamer was decorated with numerous
Chinese flags, and several officers had come up from on board the
transports, who were anxiously looking out for their friends upon the
banks. Having passed quite up above the fort, among all the shipping,
we returned down towards the principal landing-place, attracting the
attention and curiosity of thousands, who were collected to look at the
Nemesis, of which they had heard so much. A salute was fired, which
was returned by the fort; and there at length quietly lay the Nemesis,
resting from all her toils.
Of Calcutta, the City of Palaces, and of the kindness and hospitality
of its inhabitants, little need be said. Great honours were done to
those who had fought for their country, in China and Affghanistan; and
balls, dinners, illuminations, and fêtes of all kinds, were the order
of the day.
The last service performed by the Nemesis, under her old commander, was
to convey Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh Gough and his staff up the river
to Barrackpore, to review the garrison stationed there; including the
remnant of the Bengal Volunteers recently returned. It was an excursion
of duty, but in reality not less one of pleasure.
We may now bid adieu to the Nemesis. Sufficient evidence has been given
of the vast utility of iron steamers of _moderate_ size, in service
upon an enemy's coast. The danger which some have apprehended from the
rusting of the rivets by which the iron plates are fastened together,
or from their _starting_, through the concussions to which the vessel
may be liable, was proved to be almost totally unfounded. The corrosion
of her bottom can be prevented to a great extent, by constantly
painting it with red lead--an operation which is much facilitated by
the ease and safety with which a flat-bottomed iron vessel can be laid
ashore. It must not be forgotten, however, that barnacles adhere more
readily and firmly to an iron vessel, than they do to one coppered over.
At Calcutta, the Nemesis was docked and examined, before being sent
round to Bombay for a thorough repair. She was pronounced to be in
a perfectly fit state to perform the voyage, without risk; and she
ultimately arrived safely at Bombay, under the command of Lieutenant
Fell, I.N., who carried her successfully through the intricate passage
between Ceylon and the mainland. At Bombay, the Nemesis was docked;
and the following extract of a letter, dated Bombay, June 19, 1843,
will surprise those who are unacquainted with the durability of iron
steamers:--"The Nemesis has been for some time past in our docks,
and I have carefully examined her. She displays, in no small degree,
the advantages of iron. Her bottom bears the marks of having been
repeatedly ashore; the plates are deeply indented in many places, in
one or two to the extent of several inches. She has evidently been in
contact with sharp rocks, and one part of her keel-plate is bent sharp
up, in such a way as I could not believe that _cold_ iron could bear;
indeed, unless the iron had been extremely good, I am sure it would not
have stood it without injury. Her bottom is not nearly as much corroded
as I expected to have found it, and she is as tight as a bottle."
FOOTNOTE:
[74] The author was on board during this voyage, as a personal friend
of Capt. Hall.
APPENDIX.
A.
BRITISH SQUADRON IN CHINA AT THE
TERMINATION OF THE WAR.
H.M. Ship Cornwallis 72, (Captain P. Richards) bearing the
flag of Vice-Admiral Sir W.
Parker, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief.
Blenheim 74, (Captain Sir Thos. Herbert, K.C.B.)
bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral
Sir Thos. Cochrane, C.B.
Vindictive 50, Captain J. T. Nicolas.
Blonde 42, T. Bourchier, C.B.
Thalia 44, C. Hope.
Endymion 44, The Hon. F. W. Grey.
Cambrian 36, H. D. Chads, C.B.
Calliope 28, A. L. Kuper, C.B.
North-Star 26, Sir James E. Home, Bart.
Herald 26, J. Nias, C.B.
Dido 20, The Hon. H. Keppel.
Pelican 18, Commander P. Justice.
Modeste 18, R. B. Watson.
Harlequin 18, Hon. F. Hastings.
Columbine 16, W. H. A. Mershead.
Childers 16, E. P. Halsted.
Clio 16, E. N. Troubridge.
Hazard 16, C. Bell.
Wanderer 16, G. H. Seymour.
Serpent 16, Commander W. Nevil.
Wolverine 16, J. S. W. Johnson.
Cruiser 16, J. Pearce.
Hebe 4, -- Wood.
Algerine 10, Lieut. W. H. Maitland.
Royalist 10, P. Chetwode.
Minden, Hospital, Captain M. Quin.
Belleisle, Troop ship, J. Kingcome.
Apollo Commander C. Frederick.
Jupiter Master Com. G. B. Hoffmeister.
Rattlesnake Jas. Sprent.
Sapphire J. R. Fittock.
Alligator R. Browne.
SURVEYING VESSELS
H.M. Schooner Starling Commander H. Kellett.
Brig Plover R. Collinson.
STEAMERS--WOOD.
H.M. St. Ves. Driver, Commander -- Harmer.
Vixen, H. Beyes.
H.C. St. Ves. Ackbar, Commodore J. Pepper I.N.
Sesostris, Commander H. A. Ormsby, I.N.
Auckland, R. Ethersey, I.N.
Queen, Master Commanding, W. Warden.
Tenasserim, A. P. Wall.
Memnon, Commander F. T. Powell, I.N.
Hooghley, Master Commanding, -- Ross.
STEAMERS--IRON.
H.C. St. Ves. Proserpine, Commander Hough, R.N.
Nemesis, Lieut. W. H. Hall, R.N.
Phlegethon, J. J. M'Cleverty, R.N.
Pluto, J. J. Tudor, R.N.
Medusa, H. Hewitt, I.N.
B.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
UNDER WHICH THE BRITISH TRADE IS TO BE CONDUCTED AT THE FIVE PORTS OF
CANTON, AMOY, FOO-CHOW-FOO, NINGPO, AND SHANGHAI.
_I. Pilots._
Whenever a British merchantman shall arrive off any of the five ports
opened to trade--viz., Canton, Foochowfow, Amoy, Ningpo, or Shanghai,
pilots shall be allowed to take her immediately into port; and, in like
manner, when such British ship shall have settled all legal duties
and charges, and is about to return home, pilots shall be immediately
granted to take her out to sea, without any stoppage or delay.
Regarding the remuneration to be given these pilots, that will be
equitably settled by the British Consul appointed to each particular
port, who will determine it with due reference to the distance gone
over, the risk run, &c.
_II. Custom-house Guards._
The Chinese Superintendent of Customs at each port will adopt the means
that he may judge most proper to prevent the revenue suffering by
fraud or smuggling. Whenever the pilot shall have brought any British
merchantman into port, the Superintendent of Customs will depute one
or two trusty custom-house officers, whose duty it will be to watch
against fraud on the revenue. These will either live in a boat of
their own, or stay on board the English ship, as may best suit their
convenience. Their food and expenses will be supplied them from day to
day from the custom-house, and they may not exact any fees whatever
from either the commander or consignee. Should they violate this
regulation, they shall be punished proportionately to the amount so
exacted.
_III. Masters of Ships reporting themselves on Arrival._
Whenever a British vessel shall have cast anchor at any one of the
above-mentioned ports, the captain will, within four and twenty hours
after arrival, proceed to the British Consulate, and deposit his ship's
papers, bills of lading, manifest, &c., in the hands of the Consul;
failing to do which, he will subject himself to a penalty of two
hundred dollars.
For presenting a false manifest, the penalty will be five hundred
dollars.
For breaking bulk and commencing to discharge, before due permission
shall be obtained, the penalty will be five hundred dollars, and
confiscation of the goods so discharged.
The Consul, having taken possession of the ship's papers, will
immediately send a written communication to the Superintendent
of Customs, specifying the register tonnage of the ship, and the
particulars of the cargo she has on board; all of which being done in
due form, permission will then be given to discharge, and the duties
levied as provided for in the tariff.
_IV. Commercial Dealings between English and Chinese Merchants._
It having been stipulated that English merchants may trade with
whatever native merchants they please, should any Chinese merchant
fraudulently abscond or incur debts which he is unable to discharge,
the Chinese authorities, upon complaint being made thereof, will of
course do their utmost to bring the offender to justice: it must,
however, be distinctly understood, that if the defaulter really cannot
be found, or be dead, or bankrupt, and there be not wherewithal to pay,
the English merchants may not appeal to the former custom of the Hong
merchants paying for one another, and can no longer expect to have
their losses made good to them.
_V. Tonnage Dues._
Every English merchantman, on entering any one of the above-mentioned
five ports, shall pay tonnage-dues at the rate of five mace per
register ton, in full of all charges. The fees formerly levied on entry
and departure, of every description, are henceforth abolished.
_VI. Import and Export Duties._
Goods, whether imported into, or exported from, any one of the
above-mentioned five ports, are henceforward to be taxed according to
the tariff as now fixed and agreed upon, and no further sums are to
be levied beyond those which are specified in the tariff; all duties
incurred by an English merchant vessel, whether on goods imported
or exported, or in the shape of tonnage-dues, must first be paid
up in full; which done, the Superintendent of Customs will grant a
port clearance, and this being shewn to the British Consul, he will
thereupon return the ship's papers and permit the vessel to depart.
_VII. Examination of Goods at the Custom-house._
Every English merchant, having cargo to load or discharge, must
give due intimation thereof, and hand particulars of the same to
the Consul, who will immediately despatch a recognised linguist
of his own establishment to communicate the particulars to the
Superintendent of Customs, that the goods may be duly examined, and
neither party subjected to loss. The English merchant must also have
a properly-qualified person on the spot, to attend to his interests
when his goods are being examined for duty, otherwise, should there be
complaints, these cannot be attended to.
Regarding such goods as are subject by the tariff to an _ad valorem_
duty, if the English merchant cannot agree with the Chinese officer
in fixing a value, then each party shall call two or three merchants
to look at the goods, and the highest price at which any of these
merchants would be willing to purchase shall be assumed as the value of
the goods.
To fix the tare on any article, such as tea, if the English merchant
cannot agree with the custom-house officer, then each party shall
choose so many chests out of every hundred, which, being first weighed
in gross, shall afterwards be tared, and the average tare upon these
chests shall be assumed as the tare upon the whole; and upon this
principle shall the tare be fixed upon all other goods in packages.
If there should still be any disputed points which cannot be settled,
the English merchant may appeal to the Consul, who will communicate
the particulars of the case to the Superintendent of Customs, that it
may be equitably arranged. But the appeal must be made on the same
day, or it will not be regarded. While such points are still open, the
Superintendent of Customs will delay to insert the same in his books,
thus affording an opportunity that the merits of the case may be duly
tried and sifted.
_VIII. Manner of Paying the Duties._
It is hereinbefore provided, that every English vessel that enters any
one of the five ports shall pay all duties and tonnage-dues before
she be permitted to depart. The Superintendent of Customs will select
certain shroffs, or banking establishments of known stability, to whom
he will give licences, authorizing them to receive duties from the
English merchants on behalf of Government, and the receipt of these
shroffs for any moneys paid them shall be considered as a government
voucher. In the paying of these duties, different kinds of foreign
money may be made use of; but as foreign money is not of equal purity
with sycee silver, the English Consuls appointed to the different ports
will, according to time, place, and circumstances, arrange with the
Superintendents of Customs at each what coins may be taken in payment,
and what per centage may be necessary to make them equal to standard or
pure silver.
_IX. Weights and Measures._
Sets of balance-yards for the weighing of goods, of money weights, and
of measures, prepared in exact conformity to those hitherto in use
at the Custom-house of Canton, and duly stamped and sealed in proof
thereof, will be kept in possession of the Superintendent of Customs,
and also at the British Consulate at each of the five ports, and these
shall be the standards by which all duties shall be charged, and all
sums paid to government. In case of any dispute arising between British
merchants and Chinese officers of Customs, regarding the weights or
measures of goods, reference shall be made to these standards, and
disputes decided accordingly.
_X. Lighters, or Cargo Boats._
Whenever any English merchants shall have to load or discharge cargo,
he may hire whatever kind of lighter or cargo-boat he pleases, and
the sum to be paid for such boat can be settled between the parties
themselves without the interference of government. The number of these
boats shall not be limited, nor shall a monopoly of them be granted to
any parties. If any smuggling take place in them, the offenders will of
course be punished according to law. Should any of these boat-people,
while engaged in conveying goods for English merchants, fraudulently
abscond with the property, the Chinese authorities will do their best
to apprehend them; but, at the same time, the English merchants must
take every due precaution for the safety of their goods.
_XI. Transshipment of Goods._
No English merchant ships may transship goods without special
permission: should an urgent case happen where transshipment is
necessary, the circumstances must first be transmitted to the Consul,
who will give a certificate to that effect, and the Superintendent
of Customs will then send a special officer to be present at the
transshipment. If any one presumes to transship without such permission
being asked for and obtained, the whole of the goods so illicitly
transshipped will be confiscated.
_XII. Subordinate Consular Officers._
At any place selected for the anchorage of the English merchant ships,
there may be appointed a subordinate consular officer, of approved
good conduct, to exercise due control over the seamen and others. He
must exert himself to prevent quarrels between the English seamen and
natives, this being of the utmost importance. Should anything of the
kind unfortunately take place, he will in like manner do his best to
arrange it amicably. When sailors go on shore to walk, officers shall
be required to accompany them, and, should disturbances take place,
such officers will be held responsible. The Chinese officers may not
impede natives from coming alongside the ships, to sell clothes or
other necessaries to the sailors living on board.
_XIII. Disputes between British Subjects and Chinese._
Whenever a British subject has reason to complain of a Chinese, he
must first proceed to the Consulate and state his grievance; the
Consul will thereupon inquire into the merits of the case, and do
his utmost to arrange it amicably. In like manner, if a Chinese have
reason to complain of a British subject, he shall no less listen to
his complaint, and endeavour to settle it in a friendly manner. If an
English merchant have occasion to address the Chinese authorities,
he shall send such address through the Consul, who will see that the
language is becoming; and if otherwise, will direct it to be changed,
or will refuse to convey the address. If, unfortunately, any disputes
take place of such a nature that the Consul cannot arrange them
amicably, then he shall request the assistance of a Chinese officer,
that they may together examine into the merits of the case, and decide
it equitably. Regarding the punishment of English criminals, the
English government will enact the laws necessary to attain that end,
and the Consul will be empowered to put them in force: and, regarding
the punishment of Chinese criminals, these will be tried and punished
by their own laws, in the way provided for by the correspondence which
took place at Nankin after the concluding of the peace.
_XIV. British Government Cruisers anchoring within the Ports._
An English government cruiser will anchor within each of the five
ports, that the Consul may have the means of better restraining
sailors and others, and preventing disturbances. But these government
cruisers are not to be put on the same footing as merchant vessels, for
as they bring no merchandise and do not come to trade, they will of
course pay neither dues nor charges. The resident Consul will keep the
Superintendent of Customs duly informed of the arrival and departure of
such government cruisers, that he may take his measures accordingly.
_XV. On the Security to be given for British Merchant Vessels._
It has hitherto been the custom, when an English vessel entered the
port of Canton, that a Chinese Hong merchant stood security for her,
and all duties and charges were paid through such security-merchant.
But these security-merchants being now done away with, it is understood
that the British Consul will henceforth be security for all British
merchant ships entering any of the aforesaid five ports.
C.
SUPPLEMENTARY TREATY.
The following is an abstract of the Supplementary Treaty between the
Queen of Great Britain and the Emperor of China:--
Art. I. provides for the new tariff being in force at the five ports of
Canton, Foo-chow-foo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai.
Art. II. provides for the general regulations of trade being in force
at the aforesaid five ports.
Art. III. provides that all penalties or confiscations made under the
3rd clause of the general regulations of trade shall belong to the
government of China.
Art. IV. provides that British merchants shall be allowed only to trade
at the five ports mentioned in Art. I.; that the British merchants'
ships shall not repair to any other ports or places in China; that if
they do so, in contravention of this article, the Chinese authorities
shall be at liberty to seize and confiscate both vessel and cargo, and
that all Chinese subjects discovered clandestinely trading with British
merchants at any other ports or places in China shall be punished as
the law in China may direct.
Art. V. provides for the 4th clause of the general regulations of trade
being applicable to both parties.
Art. VI. provides that English merchants and others residing at, or
resorting to, the five ports, shall not go into the surrounding country
beyond certain distances, (to be fixed by the local authorities and
consuls,) and "on no pretence for purposes of traffic;" and that if any
person, whatever his rank, station, or calling, disobey this article
and "wander away into the country, he shall be seized and handed over
to the British consul for suitable punishment."
Art. VII. provides for British subjects and their families residing
agreeably to the treaty of perpetual peace and friendship, at the
different ports named in Article I., and for their being allowed to buy
or rent ground or houses at fair and equitable rates, such as prevail
"amongst the people, without exaction on either side. The ground
and houses, so to be sold or rented, to be set apart by the local
authorities in communication with the consuls."
Art. VIII. provides for all foreign countries whose subjects or
citizens have hitherto traded at Canton, being admitted to the five
ports named in Article I., on the same terms as England.
Art. IX. provides for all Chinese criminals and offenders against
the law, who may flee to Hong-Kong, or to British ships of war, or
to British merchantmen, for refuge, being "delivered, upon proof or
admission of their guilt;" and for any sailor, soldier, or other
person, whatever his caste or country, who is a subject of the crown
of England, and who may, from any cause, or on any pretence, desert,
fly, or escape into the Chinese territory, being seized and confined
by Chinese authorities, and forthwith sent to the nearest consular, or
other British government officer.
Art. X. provides for a British ship of war being stationed at each of
the five ports, "to ensure good order and discipline amongst the crews
of the merchant shipping, and to support the necessary authority of
the consul over British subjects." The crews of such ship of war to
be "carefully restrained by the officer commanding," and the rules
regarding not straying into the country to be applicable to them, in
the same manner as the crews of merchant ships. The ships of war to be
in no degree liable to port-charges or any of the general regulations
laid down for trade.
Art. XI. provides for the British forces being withdrawn from Chusan,
(Tinghai,) and Coolung-soo being restored to the Chinese government,
agreeably to the treaty of perpetual peace and friendship, the moment
all the moneys stipulated for in that treaty shall be paid; and "the
British plenipotentiary distinctly and voluntarily agrees that all
dwelling-houses, storehouses, barracks, and other buildings, that the
British troops or people may have occupied or intermediately built or
repaired, shall be handed over, on the evacuation of the ports, exactly
as they stand."
Art. XII. provides for the British plenipotentiary instructing the
different consuls (in addition to the proclamation the plenipotentiary
has already issued) "to strictly watch over and carefully scrutinize
the conduct of all persons, being British subjects, trading under their
superintendence," and, in the event of any smuggling transactions
coming to their knowledge, they are to apprise the Chinese authorities,
"who will proceed to seize and confiscate all goods, whatever their
value or nature, that may have bean so smuggled;" and will likewise
"be at liberty to prohibit the vessel from which the smuggled goods
were landed from trading further, and to send her away as soon as
her accounts are adjusted and paid." All Chinese subjects, whether
custom-house officers or others, who may be discovered to be concerned
in smuggling, are, by this article, to be punished as the Chinese
authorities shall think fit.
Art. XIII. provides for all persons, whether native of China or
otherwise, conveying goods to Hong-Kong for sale, on obtaining a
pass or port-clearance from one of the five ports named in Art. I.,
and paying the duties agreeably to the tariff on such goods. It also
provides for natives of China repairing to Hong-Kong to purchase
goods, and for their obtaining a pass from the custom-house of one of
the five ports, should they require a Chinese vessel to carry away
their purchases. These passes to be restored at the expiration of each
trip.
Art. XIV. provides for an officer of the British Government examining
the registers and passes of all Chinese vessels visiting Hong-Kong to
buy or sell goods; and for any vessel which may not have a register or
pass being "considered an unauthorized or smuggling vessel," and not
being allowed to trade. "By this arrangement, it is to be hoped that
piracy and illegal traffic will be effectually prevented."
Art. XV. provides for debts, incurred by Chinese dealers or merchants
at Hong-Kong, being recovered through the English courts of justice.
Should the debtor fly from Hong-Kong to the Chinese territory, and
be known or found to have property, real or personal, the fourth
clause of the general regulations will be applicable to the case, on
application being made by the consul. In like manner, should a British
merchant incur debts at any of the five ports, and fly to Hong-Kong,
the British authorities will, on receiving an application from the
Chinese officers, institute an investigation into the claims, and, when
established, oblige the defaulter or debtor to settle them, to the
utmost of his means.
Art. XVI. provides for a monthly return of passes granted to Chinese
vessels to visit Hong-Kong, being furnished to the British officer
referred to in Article XIV., by the hoppo of Canton, and for a similar
return being made by the said officer.
Art. XVII., also termed "Additional Article," provides for all cutters,
schooners, lorchas, and such small vessels that ply between Canton and
Hong-Kong, or between Canton and Macao, passing, as they have hitherto
done, free of all port charges, if they only carry passengers, letters,
or baggage; but if they carry any dutyable articles, however small
the quantity, they are to pay tonnage dues at the rate of one mace
per ton register. This article further provides for the smallest of
such vessels being considered to be seventy-five tons burden, and the
largest one hundred and fifty tons burden, beyond which last size they
are to be classed as foreign ships, and to be charged tonnage dues
according to Article V. of the general regulations.
The following three rules were further laid down in this article, which
is only applicable to the port of Canton, for the guidance of these
small vessels.
1st. "Every British schooner, cutter, lorcha, &c., shall have a
sailing-letter or register, in Chinese and English, under the seal
and signature of the chief superintendent of trade, describing her
appearance, burden," &c.
2nd. "Every schooner, cutter, lorcha, and such vessels, shall report
herself as large vessels are required to do at the Bocca Tigris; and
when she carries cargo she shall also report herself at Whampoa, and,
on reaching Canton, deliver up her sailing-letter or register to the
British Consul, who will obtain permission from the hoppo for her to
discharge her cargo, which she is not to do without such permission,
under the forfeiture of the penalties laid down in the third clause of
the general regulations."
3rd. "When the inward cargo is discharged, and an outward one (if
intended) taken on board, and the duties on both arranged and paid,
the consul will restore the register or sailing-letter, and allow the
vessel to depart."
THE END.
T. C. Savill, Printer, 107, St. Martin's Lane.
[Illustration:
Part of the
CANTON RIVER
Shewing the
POSITIONS OF H.M. SHIPS
Comprising the advanced Squadron
May 26th. 1841
Reference
1 Nemesis W.H. Hall
2 Algerine T. Mason Lieut.
3 Modeste H. Eyres Com^r.
4 Pylades V. Anson Com^r.
5 Herald J. Nias Captain
6 { Louisa and } Carmichael Mate
{ Merchant Ves^s. }
7 Alligator A. Kuper Captain
8 Conway C.D. Bethune Capt^n.
9 Calliope T. Herbert Cap^n.
10 Transports
CANTON RIVER
AND ADJACENT ISLANDS
From the latest Surveys.
The Hong Shang or Broadway River
Reduced from a Chinese Manuscript.
Published by H. Colburn 13 Gr^t. Marlborough Street, 1845.
Isaac Purdy Sculp^t.
]
Transcriber's Notes
Obvious errors of punctuation, capitalization and diacritics repaired.
Alternate spellings even when inconsistent (e.g. "visitor" and
"visiter") have not been changed.
Hyphen removed: ahead (pp. 138, 193, 370, 454), artillerymen (p. 350),
beforehand (p. 369), bulkheads (pp. 4, 31), courtyard (p. 296), five
long (p. 6fn), halfway (p. 332), highroad (p. 76), junkmen (p. 293), in
shore (p. 167), matchlock (p. 424), network (p. 434), outwork (p. 426),
reassure (p. 458), retaken (p. 306), storehouses (p. 486).
Hyphen added: Che-keang (pp. 104, 205, 206, 330, 387, 390), Chek-Chu
(p. 251), Choo-keang (p. 98), farm-houses (p. 344), Foo-chow-foo (pp.
480, 485), Hong-Kong (pp. 6, 7, 95, 99, 288), Kwang-Chow-Foo (p.
141), Lung-Wan (p. 142), man-of-war (p. 433), men-of-war (p. 34),
sand-bank(s) (pp. 349, 416), Tai-shan (pp. 350, 352, 364), Taou-kwang
(p. 116), water-course(s) (pp. 179, 184), wood-work (p. 139n),
Yang-Fang (p. 142), Yih-shan (pp. 142, 213).
P. vi: The page number of the third map was changed from 450 to 448.
P. 7fn: "Sr Gordon Bremer" changed to "Sir Gordon Bremer".
P. 16: "freshenened" changed to "freshened" (Gradually the breeze
freshened).
P. 26: "aid-de-camp" changed to "aide-de-camp" (An aide-de-camp soon
came on board).
P. 28: "for mercy' sake" changed to "for mercy's sake".
P. 32: "eights" changed to "eighths" (Stringers secured by
seven-eighths).
P. 46: "Professor Airey" changed to "Professor Airy".
P. 62: "Zansibar" changed to "Zanzibar".
P. 67: "Mohillo" changed to "Mohilla".
P. 83: "bebauchees" changed to "debauchees" (came to be confirmed
debauchees).
P. 90: "Admiral Khwan" changed to "Admiral Kwan".
P. 100n: "Bouchier" changed to "Bourchier".
P. 133: "Captain Elliott" changed to "Captain Elliot".
P. 136: "padoga" changed to "pagoda" (close to a pagoda).
P. 137: "Louis Phillippe" changed to "Louis Philippe".
P. 173: "furthur" changed to "further" (should not be pushed further).
P. 189: "permament" changed to "permanent" (make their permanent home).
P. 199: "detatched" changed to "detached" (a combat in detached
parties).
P. 202: "Cantion" changed to "Canton".
P. 208: "29th" changed to "20th" (On the following day, the 29th).
P. 230: "echellon" changed to "echelon" (in echelon of columns).
P. 241: "withput" changed to "without" (without the knowledge).
P. 247: "polypodium trechotomum" changed to "polypodium trichotomum".
P. 264: Barometric readings in degrees and minutes (28° 50' and 28°
89') changed to decimal inches (28.50 and 28.89).
P. 306: "Tahae river" changed to "Tahea river".
P. 358: "poeted" changed to "posted" (who were known to be posted).
P. 395: "Blond" changed to "Blonde" (The Blonde and Cornwallis received
the fire).
P. 401: "Captain Keppell" changed to "Captain Keppel".
P. 410: "sufficent" changed to "sufficient" (It will be sufficient).
P. 412: "Captain Cecile" changed to "Captain Cecille".
P. 422: 34 changed to 32 for the total number of officers.
P. 467: "intead" changed to "instead" (buffaloes instead of bullocks).
P. 475: "abut" changed to "about" (a force of about 4000 men).
Caption of map at the end of the book: "Plyades" changed to "Pylades".