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Ecot^ nio^.a.

HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY

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e BRITISH RELATIONS

WITH THE

.CHINESE EMPIRE

In 1833.^

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN TRADE

iviaih antr Cantom

LONDON :
PRINTED FOR PARBURY, ALLEN & CO.,

LEADENHALL STBEET.
1832.

■}5

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BOUND MAR 1 1910

" The leading purposes which trade and commerce, and consequently every hulsness
and profession which exists by being subsidiary to them» appears destined by the will
of Providence, to answer; are, to promote the cultivation of the earth.— to call forth
Into use its hidden treasures,— to excite and sharpen the inventive industry of man, —
to unite the whole human race in bonds of fraternal connection,— to aufifment their com-
forts and alleviate tl.eir wants by an interchange of commodities superfluous to the ori-
ginal possessors,- to open a way for the progress of civilization, for the diffusion of
learning,- for the extension of science, for the reception of Christianity,— and thus to
forward that ultimate end to which all the designs and dispensations of God, like rays
converging to a central point, seems evidently directed— the increase of the sum of humHn
happiness."— Gi B b on.

W. MOLINEUX, ROLLS PRINTING OFFICE,

Rolls Buildings, Fetter Lane.

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TO THi ^.- T-ft- T^ It rZS TT^r-3ir iZ."^ ..JCX •^ T vi^l vVaNt

• aU »S Sf » S-J ' .^ * 3«^V*'^.V

rX^SLSC^X «4* ^x»»

riis a; ruoK.

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Opinions RxtPictiNG TBsCHiNtss, avi> tbs East India Company's Trade.

" The qaestion of an open trade with China ought not to he discusied as a hostile ques-
tion between the East India Company and the country. Of the separate interesta of the
Company I should say, that they must be weighed and considered as connected with, and
as subordinate to, the general interests of the country } but it does not, therefore, follow,
that every thing taken from the Company would be necessarily gained to the country at
large, or that what may be left in their hands may not be lett there as much for the benefit
Of the country ds their own.^'-^Mr, Canning's Speeches at Liverpool.

** There are strong positive arguments against the removal of the restrictions on the
Chinese trade. Of these a considerable class is foanded on the peculiar delicacy and diffi-
culty of our commexcial connexion with China, resulting from the singular compound of
pride, punctiliousness, severity, timidity, and ignorance, In the character and policy of
that »taXi6.**-^Right Hon, Robtrt Qrant*s fForks,

*'The Chinese are indeed % Jealous and mnsoelal people, and are fab prom batino
ARRiTSO at that point of civilisation when men are prompted, by their passion for gain, to
get rid of some share of their antipathp to strangers, and to perceive the benefits of a
foreign eommeree f**-^Cra¥furd^s IndUm Arehtpelago, pp. 109.

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In the publication of well-autbenticated statements,
the name of an author is unnecessary; and a conscious-
ness of its unimportance in the present instance is the
sole reason for its not being obtruded on the public.
It may be sufficient to observe, that the writer of the
following pages has passed the last eleven years of his life
in visiting every quarter of the globe, and the colonial
possessions of Great Britain, in order to acquire an
intimate knowledge of her commercial affairs,forpolitical
purposes. It may be further added, in order to prevent
undue motives being attributed, that the author is now
advocating the cause of Parliamentary Reform, and a real
reciprocity of trade, with as much strenuousness as he
condemns the visionary projects, and confutes, with the
aid of the most convincing facts, the vague assertions of
those^ who, apparently without the slightest regard for
the relations of society or the indefeasible rights of
individuals, are labouring to subvert the regulations by
which the China trade is at present carried on.

To the calm decision of Parliament, this important
branch of commerce of the country is now confided^
and the author is of ooinion, that many members of the

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legislature who think that the exclusive immunities pos-
sessed by the East India Company, Cwhich they have
entitled themselves to, by the exercise of unwearied
assiduity and consummate ability during a long course
of years), should be abrogated — that they will, on mature
consideration, agree with him^ that neither a prudeut
policy — nor prospective hopes — nor an ideal anticipation
of increased wealth, can by any possibility justify the
British legislature or government in abrogating privileges
which have hitherto been used for the advantage of the
public and the interest of the state ; — for ihus^ confidence in
national honour and faith would be swept away, and that
union of capital, purpose and skill, which is as necessary
in a vast commercial undertaking, as combination is in
a grand political project, would be severed, never, most
probably, to be renewed. To a commercial union of
wealth, and a co-op6ration of talent and patriotism, a
small island in the Western Atlantic is indebted for the
acquisition of one of the most splendid empires that ever
was subjected to the dominion of man, and also for
the rise and progress of an extraordinary commerce with
a people inhabiting a distant hemisphere, and heretofore
shut out from all intercourse with the majority of the
human'race ; — a commerce equal in extent to 10,000,000/.
annually, and involving property to the amount of up-
wards of ten times that sum !

Unless it be by reason of that incomprehensible
fatality, which seems blindly to urge onwards kingdoms.

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as well as individuals, to their ruin^ and which the
Ancients so well comprehended when they exclaimed —

" Quos Deus vult perdere prius dementat /"

It cannot be believed that the principles of gratitude,
the dictates of wisdom, and even common sense, have
departed from this land in which they were once sup-
posed to hold their favoured abode; Should this mag-
nificent empire, on which the solar orb never sets,
crumble into atoms, as did the realms of Babylon,
Nineveh^ Assyria, Egypt, Carthage and Rome, and

-" Like the baseless fabric of a vision

Leave not a wreck behind/'

its downfall will be occasioned by its own acts, — ^by its
suicidal decrees, — ^by attempting to extend its power
beyond the limits assigned by Providence to all earthly
things, — by, in fact, building up a moral Frankenstein,
which will crush with its own weight the being that
created it ! On the minds of His Majesty's Ministers,
the Peers and Gommon3 in Parliament assembled, and
on the reflecting portion of the people of Great Britain
(an island which the Author can neither claim as his
birth place, nor consider as his home), he would endea-
vour to impress the dying language of one of the wisest
of the Caesars, when he implored his countrymen "to keep
the empire of the purple within its just and natural boun-
daries/'— an advice, which being disregarded, was

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Vlll

speedily followed by the overthrow of the proud an4
widely conquering mistress of the world.

Let England — ^England, in whose very name is all
the eloquence of virtue and all the majesty of might —
let her disdain the fearful examples of past ages, and the
serious warnings of the present, and she also will fall
from the stupendous pyramid on which she, now sits
enthroned, and become the Niobe of nations^ weeping
for her children, and not to be comforted!

London, 1832.

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BRITISH RELATIONS

WITH THE

CHINESE EMPIRE.

STATE OF THE CANTON AND INDIA TRADE.

CHAP. I.

There never was a period in tbe annals of Great Britain,
when it was more imperatively the duty of the Legislature
to deliberate well ere they sanction innovation on the
long established commercial relations of a country^ in an
artificial state of society, having conflicting views and
adverse interests. The bright visions of prosperity in-
dulged in by Lord Goderich in 1825, — ^the glowing anti-
cipations of unbounded wealth entertained by the late
Lord Liverpool and Mr. Canning, and the golden dreams
of universal free trade, in which Mr. Huskisson revelled,
have all vanished and left a gloomy reality of woe and
wretchedness in their stead. The ship-owners' business,
which ought to be the best criterion of a flourishing
mercantile commerce, has reached such an alarming state
of distress and despondency, that a petition has been
presented to his Majesty, declaring that ** a large portion
of their capital has been annihilated during the last f^teen
years, and the remainder become unsaleable except at a
ruinous loss/'^ In like manner, the silk-weavers, and
every branch of manufacturers, who have been at all
exposed to the operation of the theories of free trade,
have experienced therefrom the most deplorable results,
and they are in consequence now loudly calling ybr pro"
tecting duties.

I by no means advocate protecting duties, exclusive
privileges, or monopolies; but, until the English w\\i
weaver can be placed on a level with the Lyons silk
weaver by the removal of the Bread Tax and other imposts,
I can see no advantage or justice in setting them up like

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priza fighters to destroy each other ; or for one to be
beggared at the expense of another ; and while the English
ship-owner is subjected to taxes on timber,#copper, hemp,
canvass, provisions. Sic, necessitated to pay high wages to
his crew, to receive apprentices^ hire a surgeon, and comply
with severe restrictions, I think it equally unfair that he
should be subjected to open competition with the almost
untaxed foreigner : — and as regards the China trade, it shall
be shewn that the term '* monopoly*' is unjustly applied
to it ; for although the East India Company can alone
import tea, they cannot choose their own time of sale ;
they are compelled to put up the tea at an advance of one
penny (they do at one farthing) per lb. ; they are obliged to
have twelve months' stock in hand ; and while the tea in
America has increased in price and diminished in consump-
tion, the very reverse has taken place in England, as
official returns prove !

The United States of N. America possessing, in an emi-
nent degree, a greater latitude of political freedom than
any other power, — an almost undefinable extent of fertile,
uncultivated land, — a highly industrious and intelligent
population of 13,000,000, — no national debt*, and a large
surplus revenuet* — even they reject the delusive theory of
^\free trade!^ — establish a rigorous national tariff, and,
after several years* experience, announce, that under its
salutary protection ** commercial enterprize Jills their ship^
yards with new constructions, encourages all the arts and
branches of industry connected with them, crowds the wharfs
of their cities with vessels, and covers the most distant seas
with their canvass; that manufactures have been established,
in which the funds of the capitalist Jind a profitable invest"
ment, and which give employment to a numerous and in--
creasing body of dexterous mechanics who are rewarded by
high wages, ^c.*'t

* It will be all paid off this year.

t The revenue of 1831 was 27,700,000 Spanish dollars; the ex-
penditure for all government purposes 14,700,000/. I whereas in Eng-
land the crovernment have, at last, announced that the sinking fund
is at an end, and the expenditure far exceeds the revenue !

t Message to Congress; 6th December, 1831.

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This is a startling expod of what are termed exclusive
privileges, and however contrary it may be to the theory of
political economists, the Americans, fortunately for them,
find it in unison with the principles of mercantile policy.
As if in mockery of the dogmas of Professor Mc Culloch 8c
Co., Russia, the paragon of absolutism, has followed the
example of democratic "^ America, (with whom the auto-
crat is in close alliance), and adopted an almost prohi^
bitory tariff against England ; Spain, too, contemns the
reciprocity treaty of 1828, and even liberal France, not-
withstanding her immense sacrifices for freedom, cannot
be prevailed on to admit a free trade in commerce, as
well as in politics : yet it is at such a moment that the
parliament is sagely petitioned to force an open trade with
China,— a vast empire (as M. Klaproth says) that " pre-
sents the very remarkable spectacle of a civilization en--
tirely political, whose principal aim has constantly been
to draw closer the bonds which unite the society it
formed, and to merge, by its laws, the interest of the in-
dividual in that of the public;" — an empire possessing
an active, skilful, and contented population of 155,000,000
souls t who are spread over 1,372,460 square miles J of
the fairest and, probably, earliest inhabited region of the
globe — that maintains a standing army of 1,182,000
men, and levies a revenue of only 11,649,912/. ater*
Mng, — an empire that has preserved the records of its
dominion and the integrity of its name from a period of
three thousand years antecedent to our era,§ while the
most powerful monarchies of remote or modern ages have
dwindled into nothingness, or been borne towards the
ocean of eternity, by the swiftly destructive gulph of
time, — an empire whose people have materially con-

• The word '* democratic*' is used as synonimous. with '* intelligent,^'
not in the disparaging sense in which it is so frequently applied ; for
the greater portion of intellect among a people, the more democratic
tbey will become ; hence, manufacturers appreciate liberty better than
agriculturists.

t Vide Appendix : A table of population, territory, revenue, &c.

t Exclusive of Tartary and the dependent provinces.

$ Vide M. Klaproth on « Chinese History and Antiquity."

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tribated to advance the civilization of Europe and
America, by the discovery of the most useful arts and
sciences, such as, writing,^ astronomy, the mariner's
compass, gunpowder, sugar, silk, porcelaine, the smelting
and combination of metals, — and, in fine, enjoying
within its own territories all the necessaries and con-«
veniences, and most of the luxuries of life; standing, as it
proudly asserts, in no need of intercourse with other
couutries,t which it is its studied policy to prohibit,;}^
openly and arrogantly proclaims its total independence of
every nation in the world !

Before proceeding to enquire who are the advocates of
9i forced free trade with so anomalous a state ''whos9
character and policy** (as described by the Right Honour*
able Rt. Grant) ^* form a singular compound of pride^
punctiliousness, severity, timidity, and ignorance," — and
what are the arguments by which they support their doc-
trines, let us briefly survey the position of the East India
Company at Canton.

At one of those mysterious epochs when mankind seem
to be urged by an all pervading impulse in search of hap--
piness, riches, or renown, the waters of the mighty Pacific
were explored by the adventurous spirit of De Gama, who,
in doubling the ** Cape of Storms,'* may be said to have
discovered a new world, in order to stimulate the torpid
enterprise of the old.|| Soon the daring genius— the in-
vestigating skill and unwearied perseverance of the Bri-
tish character, were developed in establishing dominions
in the fertile regions of the east, and in opening commer-
cial relations with almost unknown races of men, among

* A celebrated Hungarian, named Cosmos de Koros has lately
discovered in a Thibetian monastery, where he has been engaged trans-
lating an Encyclopaedia, that lUhographf and moveable wooden types
were known to the Chinese many centuries ago !

t A Chinese who leaves his county is considered as a traitor, and
is punished with death if he ever return to it

t The grand maxim of Confucius is, '' to despise foreign conunodi-
ties/'

I In 1017 A.D., Emanuel, King of Portugal, sent a 6eet of eight
ships to China, and an ambassador to Fekin, who, 1 suppose^ per-
formed the kotoWf for he obtained peri^isaion to opeua trade.

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whom new wants might naturally be supposed to spring
up, in their progress to the enjoyment of social life. A
mercantile association of Englishmen, (which association,
in magnitude of design, heroism of action, and profundity
of talent, has never yet had a parallel,} became, by the
extraordinary, and indeed, inscrutable decrees of Provi-
dence, the sovereigns of the peninsula of Asia, embracing
territory equal in wealth, population, and resources, to
every kingdom in Europe.

With the natural desire of discovering fresh sources of
trade, and fulfilling the purposes of their incorporation,
80 eloquently described by Gibbon,"* the East India Com-
pany, in 1668, ordered *^ one hundred pounds weight ofgoode
tey" to be sent home on speculation.f A taste for the
Chinese herb was created, and carefully fostered ;% — ^the
invoice was increased from year to year, until it now
amounts to 30,000,000 pounds weight, (notwithstanding
the excessive duty of 100 per cent and the onerous re-
strictions of the commutation act, since 1784) yielding an
annual revenue to government, on a luxury of life, of
about 3,300,000/. sterling, with scarcely any trouble
or expense in the collecting;— ^employing 36,000 tons
of the finest shipping, || — requiring annually nearly

* Vide iDtroductory quotation.

t In 1669 the East India Company received two cannisters of tea
they bad ordered, amounting to 143ilbs. ; they came via Bantam : —
there does not appear to have been then any direct intercourse with
the Chinese, for in 1634^ some English ships having visited Canton, a
rupture and battle took place almost immediately, which was fol-
lowed by an interdict against trading with them for some time. The
earliest record that we can find of the East India Company opening
a commerce with Cliina, and sending a ship dvrec^ thither is dated

168a

X In 1678 the East India Company imported 4^7131bs. of tea from
China, but this, then large amount, proved a glut in the market^ as ^he
imports of tea for the ensuing six years amounted in all to only 3181bs.
We shall subsequently demonstrate how judiciously the trade has
been managed.

R Daring a period of 17 years^ not one homeward bound Company's
ship has been lost. In war time they are so ably manned and armed,
as to be capable of each repelling the attack of a 32 gun frigate.

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1,000^000/. sterling worth of cotton, woollen, and iron
manufactures, and affording employment to a numerous
class of society, for the wholesale and retail dealing in a
leaf collected on the mountains of a distant continent !

To enable them the better to prosecute this valuable
commerce, the East India Company sought and obtained
permission to build a factoiy at Canton, where their agents
were permitted to reside six months in the year — a favour
specifically accorded as a matter of compassion to fo-
reigners, who are carefully debarred all intercourse with
the interior of the country ; a dread being entertained
that the introduction of Europeans to settle in China,
would lead (according also to ancient prophecy) to the
total subversion of the empire.

Other branches of trade were subsequently added to
that of tea. In 1773, the East India Company made a
small adventure of opium* from Bengal to Canton ; and
the consumption of opium increased as rapidly among
the Chinese, as tea did among the English, until it now
yields (although a contraband trade,) 14,000,000 Spanish
dollars annually ,t and pays a revenue to the Indian go-
vernment of 1,800,000 sterling ! This trade,, scarcely
less extraordinary than that of the Chinese herb, is one,
he it remembered, if there be any gratitude left in England,
for which Great Britain also stands indebted to the East
India Company. Raw cotton forms another extensive ar-
ticle of export to China ;:|: it is in general a less profitable
remittance than bills of exchange, but the exportation is
encouraged for the benefit of the Indian territories.

From the foregoing slight sketch, some idea may be
formed of the complicated relations of the China trade,
even so far as is dependent on ourselves, which form but
a portion of the difiiculties, as will be hereafter seen, with

* The Chinese use this stimuiaDt as we do wine or spirits, nnd with
perhaps, less deleterious consequences to their health, and less. evil re-
sults to their morals.

t Ahout 7,000,000 of which, or bars or moulds of silver to that
amount, are sent to India, the Chinese heing unahle to make sufficient
return in merchandize. This remittance is of material assistance in
helping to provide funds on the spot for the purchase of tea.

t In 1830 it amounted to 63,229^700 lbs. valued at 5,554,875 dollars

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which it is encompassed. I will now 'enter on an ex«
amination of the arguments^ or more properly speaking,
assertions of one or two interested and disappointed in-
dividuals, who have been for some time influencing the
pecuniary feelings of the public, by holding forth an el
Dorado in China, if a free trade be established. They do
not of course stop to consider whether the Chinese them-
selves will permit tlib innovation desired, and in drawing
a conclusion, by reason of the increased trade with India,
produced by the commercial spirit of the age, anunexam-*
pled general peace, and the powers of machinery, they forget^
or rather purposely overlook, that Hindostan is a portion of
the British dominions, where millions of subjects are
compelled to receive English manufactures free of duty,
while the raw produce, and manufactures of the Hin-
doos are,, with a few exceptions of the former, virtaally
excluded from the ports of the United Kingdom ; while on
the contrary, the Chinese are a haughty and independent
race of people, whose commercial policy it is to prohibit,
as much as possible, every species of manufactures'^ and
bullion ; and encourage the importation of food, and raw
produce ; holding themselves aloof from Europeans, and
particularly jealous of Great Britain, on account of the
proximity ofher Indian Empire; exacting upwards of 1000/.
in fees and port duesf on each foreign vessel that enters
Canton, the only harbour to which they are admitted,]:
imposing severe sea and inland customs and regulations
regarding woollen and other manufactures, entirely inter-
dicting some branches of trade, and permitting all by

. * A late No. of the ^* Canton Register," mentions a fact, which is
one instance out of many, of the desire to be independent of foreigners ;
it is as follows : — " Prussian blue, an article which was formerly brought
in considerable quantities from England, is now totally shut out from the
list of imports, in consequence of its mode of manufacture being ao-
quired hy a Chinaman in London ; and from timely improvement it has
been brought to that perfection which renders the consumers indepen^
dent of foreign supply /**

t The port dues on a vessel of 1000 or of 100 tons are aUke!

t The Chinese will not admit a foreign nation to trade at two
places; for instance, the Russians are excluded from Canton because
they enjoy an overland trade at Kiachta, which is 4^11 miles from
St Pelersburgb, and 1,014 miles distant from Pekin.

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sufferance, or as a matter of favour rather than from
necessity, or by right;* yet this is the nation which the
industrious people of Engtand have been so much cajoled
about, when they have been assured that China presents
a mine of wealth, which only requires scraping the sur-
face for, if the East India Company's Charter be abol-
ished!

At the head of the opponents of the East India Com-*
pany may be placed Mr. Crawfurd, not on account of
his possessing a very high range of intellect, but becaase
bis opposition has been distinguished by a violence of
language only equalled by a distortion of fact8.+ A pam-
phlet that this gentleman has issued, entitled ** The
Chinese Monopoly examined,'* being looked up to as con-
taining every argument which can be brought to bear
against the present method of carrying on the Canton
trade, and its having every mark of being an elaborate
production, a refutation of it may be deemed conclusive,
by those over whose minds calm reasoning will obtain a
more permanent sway, than the flippancy of style, or
speciousness of language, in which the pamphlet alluded
to is couched.

Mr. Crawfurd commences with a sneer at the '^ dism-*
terested productions which are poured forth in a full, but
foul stream, in favour of the East India Company.'' A
reference to Mr. C's political agency life will not certainly
cause him to be accused of ** disinterestedness,** and if the
result of the first display of hostility s^inst the Com-
pany« as evidenced in the fimik of the Calcutta (or as it
was artfully termed, the Indian stamp act) be taken as a
prognostic, we might have little cause to suppose that
hifll present efforts will be more successful, were it not
known that an impoverished people are too apt to grasp at

* Home manufactured woollens are prescribed by the Chinese govern-
ment to be worn on public occasions ; from I2d, to 16d, p^r yard, is
charged as duty on foreign woollens in the interior ; while the trade
in them through Russia has been stopped by a tariff, which imposes
from 6f. to Is. per yard on English woollensi while Prussian woollens
are admitted to pass through Russia at less than half that amount f

t The writer's name will be afforded to Mr. C. when he requires it.

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ideal adyantages^— to snatch at the shadow^ and to drop
the substance*

Before the Burmese war the finances of the East India
Company were in a prosperous state; but when the
threatenlngs of the wily Burmah had begun to alarm the
numerous native population of Calcutta^ who sought to
remove their wealth within the protection of the guns of
Fort William, the Bengal government, with a promptitude
deserving of more credit than it has obtained, diverted a
hostile attack from the capital of India by the invasion
of Rangoon* During a protracted war, the government
spent a great deal of money, which found its way into
the pockets of the merchants, ship.owners, and traders
of Calcutta, many of whom made large fortunes in an
incredibly short space of time. The contest being at
last brought to a conclusion with safety to our Indian
territories and honour to the British name, it was natural
to seek some mode of reimbursement for the outlay
of 12,000,000/. which had been required, and accord-
ingly a moderate stamp act, legalised by Parliament,
was had recourse to within the limits of the city of Calcutta,
the English merchants in which were the principal benefitters
by the war. Instantly an alarm was raised — like lands-
men after a storm, —

When the danger was over and all things righted.
The war was forgotten, and the Company slighted,

A meeting was convened ; lawyers, venerable neither
for years nor experience, pronounced a decree as immut-
able as the laws of the Medes and Persians, relative to
the illegality of the stamp act, which, as I before said,
it was cunningly resolved to denominate the "Indian
Stamp Act/* (although the Hindoos and British residents
beyond the Mahratta Ditch of Calcutta were, it was well
known, long previous subject to a stamp duty) ; — in a brief
period 3000/. were subscribed, and Mr. Crawfurd, instead of
remaining in the medical service of the East India Com-
pany, or retiring on the pension due to his reputed
services,* returned to England as agent for the petitioners

* At the utmost not more than £500 a year.

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against the ** arbitrary acts of the government/* with a
salary of 1500/. a year, his passage home paid, and his
expense for printing pamphlets, &c. provided for. This
was *' disinterestedness^^ with a vengeance !

In a petition sent, to Parliament on the subject, and
which I regret to say was signed by several respectable
merchants in the city of London, who were doubtless un-
conscious of the fact, a shameful statement was put forth
which ought to make the legislature deliberate well before
they decide on all documents coming from the same
quarter : it was, that the native merchants were abeut tojlee
from Calcutta if the stamp act were not immediately rC"
scinded.

Several years have since elapsed — ^the stamp act has not
been rescinded — its legality has been proved — ^its justice
generally admitted — ^the native merchants have fiot one left
Calcutta — with the exception of two or perhaps three, out
of many hundreds, they have not even petitioned against it ;
and Mr. Crawfurd has been converted from a Calcutta
stamp agent, into a Liverpool China trade agent and a well-
paid advocate against the East India Company.

Such having been the result of the outcry against the
Calcutta Stamp Act, we may, we hope, predicate a similar
issue to the Canton business ; but before quitting this
branch of the subject, let us enquire what can be said of
an individual who has received nearly 50,000/. from the
East India Company, and then turns round seeking their
destruction? Are there no ties which bind society to-
gether but what a levelling spirit would immolate at the
Moloch of self? How many persons are there in that
service to which Mr. Crawford has become a renegade,
who are far his superiors in talent and capabilities, yet
are necessitated to drag on life in the obscure station
from which he was raised by the kindness of his em-
ployers ? How many enfeebled pensioners, and widows
and orphans of Indian heroes, and learned and scien-
tific characters, who are dependant for their pensions
on the continuance of that very trade which their quon-
dam compatriot is now labouring to annihilate? In fine,
can there be any justification for the servant who has

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lived and thrived under the protection of a generous
master for nearly a quarter of a century — who had been
advanced to posts of honour and distinction much, very
much, above his merits ; but who, nevertheless, acted like
the adder, which, when warmed into existence, stung the
bosom that had animated it? The solution of these queries
are left to Mr. Crawfurd* and the public; — I proceed with
his pamphlet.

To attempt to review seriatim, the production before me
would be impossible ; it is a mass of incongruity, tauto-
logy, and inconsistency. In corroboration of this remark I
will place three passages only in juxta position ; many others
might be selected, but these will serve as a sample of the
arguments brought against the East India Company.

"We shall insist up-
on having cheap teas
and an ample 8up))ly
of them, and we shall
insist upon paying for
them in the produce of
British industrt/^ (ma-
nufactures). — p. 6(5. —
" Chinese Monoply ex-
amined." — Ridgway.

**The Americans and
all other free traders
buy their teas, not by
liarter, but, like civil-
ized men, with money,
and they obtain them
at their iiecesscay and
natural prioe^* I — p. 54.

«The Chinese will
only take British ma-
nufactures in propor-
tion as we take the
products of China ia
return."— "In 1828 the
manufactures exported
to China by the £. I.
Company amounted
to 863,494/. sterling,
while the tea import-'
ed from China cost
a,853,367U3»000,000/
of which ought to have
been remitted to China
in British merchan-
diser— p. 67.

What a beautiful specimen of consistency! First, we
must have cheap teas, and an an^k supp/y of them, and we
must insist on paying for them with manufactures. Al*^
though the Americans, 'Mike civilized men/' find they
must pay money in order to obtain the "necessary** quantity

* An idea may be formed of Mr. Crawfurd^s high qualificatiou
for a statesman or a legislator; he is one of that class of politicians
who jump at conclusions without caring what they demolish in their
progress. He was strongly in favour of annihilating the Cape of
Good Hope wine trade and the Canada timber trade by one stroke of
Lord Althorp's pen ; and equally so for letting tlie West India planters
and their slaves perish, in order to carry into effect the foreign sugar
refinery bill. These are indications of his commercial wisdo

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at a*' natural price;'* and yet at pages 67,33, 34, and
many other places, the Company are censured for not
exporting more manufactures, instead of using specie or
bills of exchange ! At page 53 they are accused of pur-
chasing their teas bj/ barter with the Hong, and at p. 24
the Company are blamed for having expended 1,668,108/.
sterling, in the space of 26 years, in order if possible to
extend the consumption of British manufactures in China I!
The efforts of the East India Company to encrease the
exportation of British manufactures to China have been
unceasing, even at an early period of the trade.

East India Company's Exports to China.

Bullion. Merchandise.

In 1708 £32,387 £1,671

1805 £200,000 £1,114,484.

From 1816 to 1827 .. ..£354,389 £9,377,996

I find also the value of articles exported by the East
India Company from 1812 to 1820, the growth oxproduc*
tion of the United Kingdom was, —

Merchandize for sale £10,482,150. Stores £3,185,868 !

In the year 1822, the East India Company lost five
hundred thousand pounds sterling, bj* the burning of their
factory at Canton, three fifths of this sum was in woollen
manufactures imported from England! As regards the
endeavours of the East India Company to obtain a high
reputation for the British manufacturer in the vast regions
of the east, which as our tradesmen well know is a most
important point, and more permanently efficient than even
extensive forced sales of cheap goods, I will quote an
authority that Mr. Crawfurd announces to be "« most
comprehensive, and a most judicious writet,^* namely, Mr.
Hamilton, the upright and intelligent author of the East
India Gazetteer, who paid the following tribute to the
merits of the East India Company. " The probity, punc-
tuality, and credit of the East India Company, and their
agents, is known to be such by the Chinese, that their goods
are taken away as to quality and quantity for what they are
declared in the invoice, and the bales, with their mark, pass

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in trade, without examination, through many hands, and
over an immense extent of country, and are never opened
until they reach the shop of the person who sells for actual
consumption !"* — Hamilton's East India Gazetteer.

Of the gross mis-statements of Mr. Crawfurd the exam*
pies are painfully numerous, — indeed, in his ultra zeal he
sometimes quite forgets that his readers possess common
sense. At page 60, he says the salaries paid by the
Company to their servants at Canton, are ''too plainly
taken out of the pockets of the starving population of
England, and therefore he (Mr. Crawfurd) has a good
right to complain of so monstrous and intolerable a nui-
sance*'! The public will hear with astonishment, that a
starving population have money in their pockets for the
East India Company to rob them of, yet I regret to
say this is but one of the many improper observa-
tions in which the work abounds. At page 68, the East
India Company are charged with destroying " the happi-
ness and morals of the British nation ;" and of driving the
starving men and women to gin shops I No doubt the starv-
ing silk-weaver of Spitalfields or Coventry would think
his " happiness'^ complete, if he possessed an oz. of Bohea
instead of a pound of bread and beef, or a pot of porter;
and as to ^' morals,^' it is certainly easy to show that the
dreadful crimes of incendiarism and burking in England,
and of open murder in Ireland, have their grand origin in
the perpetrators of them being insufficiently supplied with
tea morning and evening !

In truth it is a sad waste of time to reply to such absurd
galimatias; let us therefore turn to something like an argu-
ment, and in which Mr. Crawfurd is supported by Mr.
Rickards and a few others; it is, that if the East India
Company's exclusive tea-trade were abolished, the con-
sumption of tea in the United Kingdom would be nearly
doubled, and the English would become the carriers of it
to different ports in Europe*
It becomes a serious duty to investigate on what

* Some American merchants have taken advantage of the high
reputation in which the company's manufactures are held; and they
have goods made bearing eractlif the $ame markt !

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grounds such an expectation can be indulged in, — whether
there be any reasonable probability of such a valuable
accession to our commerce, and if the hypothesis be built
on any, or on correct data. The Legislature are the more
impelled to this inquiry, because the subject has not suf-
ficiently engrossed the attention of the advocates or
opponents of the East India Company, and because in-
deed a probable extended use of tea would in reality
form a most cogent argument for throwing open the trade ;
for as regards the circumstance of there being an excess
of price in England, on the same .article in America,
it must be borne in mind that the two countries are widely
dissimilar in taxation, in the one it being nearly nominal;
in the other most oppressive, which together with other
circumstances, hereafter to be mentioned, render it du-
bious whether the price of tea could be equalised in the
two countries ; and as respects the carrying trade to Europe,
the Americans have made nothing by it, with their cheap
ships and low freights ; besides, other nations can go to
Canton and purchase as much tea as they desire for
themselves.

In order to arrive at a just conclusion, we must consider
that tea cannot be ranked as a necessary of life; it is
simply a refreshing beverage, devoid of nutriment, intro-
duced by fashion and upheld by custom, and it is by no
means a decided question, whether its continued use be
conducive to longevity — physical strength — mental de-
velopement, or vice versa. Unlike many other articles its
consumption is not sensibly increased by habit or time,
the consumer of wine, spirits, ale, tobacco or opium will
generally, according to his means, augment almost daily
the quantity of the stimulant he uses; but few individuals
will require more tea at 60, than at 30 years of age.
Several circumstances have combined to keep up the
price and use of tea in England, among which may be
mentioned the high charge for malt, spirituous and vinous
liquors, and the excessive taxation on coffee and sugar^
in proportion however as these have diminished in cost,
by reducing the duty, so has the consumption augmented,
I am therefore justified in inferring that when on the
reduction of the malt duty, the labouring cla&ses

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can obtain abundance of wholesome nntritious beverage
at a much cheaper rate than at present ; and the middling
ranks of society plenty of coffee, cocoa and sugar, there
will not only be no increased consumption of tea, but on
the contrary a diminished use of that article, and that
even a very large importation, would have no ma-
terial effect on the public taste. I am supported
in this opinion by indisputable facts. Mr. Crawfurd
admits that the consumption of tea in the United Kingdom
in the year 1787, was one pound, three ounces, and fourteen
drachms per head, while forty five years after, instead of
increasing it has decreased to lib. loz. 12dr. per head, and
Imay add, notwithstanding that since the former period
the price of tea has been considerably lessened, and the
importation of the sorts most used sextupkd I*

America, where there is no monopoly, (as it is absurdly
termed) corroborates strongly our views for Mr. Joshua
Bates, an American gentleman stated in his evidence
before Parliament, that there were exported from Canton
to the United States in 1827-28 chests of tea to the num-
ber of 102,000, but that in 1828-29 the quantity imported
was only 80,000 chests ; — that the tea trade has been for
several years an '' unprofitable one,'' and the " attempt to
import much tea, with all the pretensions to superior skill
in judging of it, or in assorting it, f ailed J^ Mr. Bates adds,
that the American returns of teas to the continent, '' are
generally not profitable." From an official report, ordered
by the House of Commons to be printed, I find the
importations of tea into the United States, to have been
in the years 1826 and 1826 to the ex-
tent of - - . - - - 20,31 8,4481bs.
And during the years 1827 and 1828 it
had decreased, notwithstanding the in-
creased population, to ... 13,582,0661bs.

Decrease 6,736,3731bs.

* In 1815 there was of Bohea tea sold 397,9091bs. at 2s. lOd. per
lb.$ in 182D there was of Bohea sold l,497,5921b8. at Is. 9d. per lb.;
and in 1829, 3,778,0121b8. at Is. 6d. per lb. !

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In 1826 the value of the tea exported

from Canton to America was, S. dollars 3,752,281

In 1827, S. dollars .... 1,741,882

Decrease Spanish dollars 2,010,399

The supply of Europe by the Americans exhibits a still
further decrease ; —

In 1818 export of tea to Europe - - 3,103,6511bs.
In 1827 Do. Do. ... 357,9661bs.

Falling off; or Decrease 2,746,6861bs.

The Cape of Good Hope bears out my argument ; —
In 1820 Population - - 105,086

Consumption of tea - - - 168,7881bs.

In 1828 Population - - 132,610

Consumption of tea - - - - 77,916Ibs.

Decrease 80,7621bs.

In Ireland, the consumption of tea in the year 1828, was
l,300,0001bs. less than in 1827; and although the popula-
tion of Ireland has rapidly increased, indeed, nearly doubled
itself, since the commencement of the present century,
yet the quantity of tea imported into that country is
400,0001bs. less in 1828, than it was in 1800 !

The Netherland's tea trade is strongly corroborative of
my remarks, for there the duly is exceedingly low ; the
Americans have a free competition with the Dutch and
Belgians, and the whole continent almost is open for
re-exportation. I observe by the statements of Mr.
Masterson, the vice consul at Rotterdam, that :

Qr. Chests.
In 1818, the consumption of tea and the re-
exportation amounted to - - - - 90,636
In 1829, it was only 26,392

Decrease of Quarter Chests ! 64,143

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France, with a population of upwards of thirty millions*
without any monopoly, having a very law rate of duty im-
posed, and a national temperament among the people,
for whom it would seem tea was especially adapted, yet
it will be observed by the following return from the
Consular-office, that the small quantity of the herb con-
sumed in France has been stationary for several years ;
surely Mr. Crawfurd will not ascribe it to the sinister
influence of the English Ectst India Company ?

Tea Imported into France.
Years. Kilogrammes.* Yeara. Kilogrammes.

1820 83,366 1823 70,057

1821 79,144 1824 89,030

1822 83,697 1826 72,801

Hamburgh has been much spoken of for cheapness of
tea, as compared with England, while it is quite kept
out of sight, that the average annual taxation on each
individual there, is about eight shillings, and in Great
Britain upwards oi four guineas; — a circumstance which
every politician must know, affects the price of all com-
modities, especially those of foreign production ; yet I
find that even at Hamburgh, which is justly considered
the emporium of Germany, the consumption of tea has
not increased, although the same article which cost a
quarter of a Spanish dollar at Canton was selling for
half a franc at Hamburgh !

Importation or Tea into Hamburg.
Years. Chests. Years. Chests.

1825 32,815 1827 36,364

1826 21,614 1828 12,831

Thus we see a falling off in the latter year, as com-
pared with the first, of nearly 20,000 chests !

The Consul's return from Russia does not invalidate
my argument, as the following statement will demon-
strate : —

Importation of Tea into Russia.
Year. Poods.t Year. Poods. Yf Poods.

1824. . 154,197 1825. . 113,514 1826. . 130,562

* A kilogramme is about 2^ lbs.
t About 36 lbs. English.

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The American exportation of tea from Canton has
considerably decreased; for I find that so long ago as
1806, it amounted to twelve million pounds weight, and
in 1828, (after two and twenty years free trade) it has
diminished to less thnn eight million pound weight!

As the exportation of tea by the Americans from Can-
ion, will indicate whether the consumption of the herb
be decreasing or augmenting, and also tend to remove
the false hopes that have been held out to the people
of this country, as well as the absolute danger of put-
ting in jeopardy one of the most valuable branches of
British commer-ce, in order to carry into effect a vi-
sionary theory, I shall proceed with my statements.

Tea Imported fboi^ Canton, by the Americans, with

A vi^w to Foreign Consumption.

Years. Jbs.

In 1819—20 3,318,165

1825—26 l,360,80a

1|26— 27 357,966

Here will be observed a Jailing off between the se-
cond and last period of 1,002,834 lbs. and between the
last and first period of 2,960,199 lbs.

I have another document before roe, which it may be
as well to give.

Quantity and Value op Tea Bs-exforted from thb
United States.
Yean. Quan. lbs. Value Span, dolra.

1826 2,804,753 1,308,694

1827 1,626,417 772,443

Decrease . . 1,178,336 lbs 636,251 Sp. dolrs.

The statement of Mr. Milne^ who was engaged in the
American tea trade since ITQQ^butwho has now aban-
doned it, is not to be wondered at, when the specula-
tive efforts to force a Ituvury on the public is considered.
Mr. Milne observed in his evidence before the House of
Commons, that during the last five years at least, ** the
tea trade has been very ruinous /" It is true, comparative
lists of prices have been exhibited ; as well might the

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cldret market at Bofdeaax ht jadge d of by the sales of
whole cargoes of claret at Calcutta, for less than ihe price
of the hottk» in which ii was stowed ! It is well knowa
that French captains* bought at Calcutta auctions many
hundred dozens of claret, which th^y tliemselves had
brought thither for European consignees, but which they
found it profitable to purchase in India and re-sell in
France ! The same ocoured with the British manufactures,
which were bought by shiploads m India for re-exportation
to America, cheaper than they could be purchased in
England. But to proceed with the American exports of
tea, which all the transatlantic merchants agree in being
an unprofitable business^ and that it exists principally
by ** trading on duties/* — ^that is, evading the custom-
laws, by which the government duty may be delayed for
two years minus one day /t

Years. lbs.

1819 8,884,i

of tea J 1827 6,875,599

American Home Consumption I In 1819 8,884,998

Decreased Home Consumption. . . . lbs. 3,008,399

Having found a table among the t'arfiamentary papers,
from which I have made the preceding statements* I
proceed to quote it, as it must be considered important
testimony: I would desire, however, to be distinctly
understood as not indulging in any triumph, because the
arguments I have adduced have been supported by ir-
refutable facts ; 1 wish the American and English tea
trade could be increased to ten times its present amount,
and that the Chinese could be induced to take the ma-
nufactures of both nations in exchange for their tea, —
to admit the merchants of every country, whether single
or incorporated, under less restrictive regulations, — and
to adopt (that which every man who desires the wel-
fare of his species ,mu8t ardently hope for) true princi-
ples of free trade, but which I fear, are as little under-
stood in Europe as in China. Basiing as I do my ar-

* Captain Dupevron of Le Coromandel, for ioBtance, in 1839.
t Mr. AfiUne*8 evidence in the Lords, page 801.

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gumentB on facts/ I am bound to develope the truth,
not as it might be consonant to my ideas or hopes^ but
as it really stands, more particularly, as a speculative
commercial error on the present important question,
would inevitably and irrevocably plunge thousands into
ruin, whose only consolation from the legislature, and
government would be that '' their intentions were well
meant/* This, alas ! would be cold comfort for the pro-
prietors of India stock — ^the enfeebled pensioners and
annuitants — the manufacturers — the shipping interests,
— the cultivators of opium and cotton in India, and
the numerous wholesale and retail dealers in tea through-
out the united kingdom ; but I am digressing, perhaps.

Value of Tea exported by the Americans to
different plages, in 1826 & 1827*

Decrease.

To Holland* S. Dollars 230,137

39,566

190,571

To Gibraltar

235,474

123,158

112,210

Hanse Towns and Germany t

337,331

325,410

11,921

France on the Atlantiet

209,252

126,019

83,133

The Brazils

80,164

41,236

38,828

All other places

216,336

17,054

198,282

Total S. Dollars & Decrease 1,308,694.

772,443.

526,251

The foregoing return must be admitted a convincing
document ; if a decrease took place in one country, it
might be counterbalanced by an encrease in another, but
in this a general decrease is observable, notwithstanding
that at all the places mentioned, the Government duty is
low and the sale prices, of course, proportionately so. Of
the other countries in Europe it is scarcely necessary to
speak ; I will examine the returns from one seat of luxury.

Quantity of Tea imported into Naples.

In 1826 5,961 lbs.

In 1827 3,418 lbs.

Decrease 2,443 lbs.

*The American witnesses before Parliament liave rather oddly
accounted for the falling off of their importations of tea into Holiaud,
where there is but little restriction on them, namely, because a Tea
Conipany has been incorporated !

t These places do not supply themselves, they are furnished with tea
by the Americans, who now find it scarcely pays freight.

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Even in ibis paltry place a decrease is observed. The
qaantity of tea annually consumed in tbe Roman states is
4,234 lbs. Venice consumes 26 cwt. ; Trieste, 6 cwt. ;
Leghorn, 353 chests; Frankfort, 112 cwt.; Denmark,
129,000 lbs. ; and, in fact, the aggregate consumption of
Russia, France, Denmark, &c. 8cc. amounts to 8,639,968
lbs.*

It is not a little remarkable that for the nine years
preceding 1780, the importation of tea into the continent
of Europe was about 118,000,000 lbs.!

In the year 1784, it was 19,027,300 lbs.

And in 1701, only 2,291,500 lbs.

Haying given, in a former page, the home consumption
of tea in America for 1819 and 1827, it is proper to ob-
serve what have been the sales of the East India Company
at those periods, for, as I have in several parts of this work
observed, the consumption of tea in England would never
have risen to the height it has at present obtained, but for
the judicious management of the Company in watching and
studying the public taste, a circumstance which has been
completely overlooked, or sedulously put aside.

Quantity of Tea exported from Canton by the
East India Company.

In 1818-19; 21,085,860 lbs In 1825-26, 27,821,121 lbs.

In 1819-20, 28,476,231 lbs In 1826-27, 40,182,241 lbs.

Total 49,562,091 lbs. Total 68,003,362 lbs.

This document shews that notwithstanding the decreased
consumption of tea in proportion to the increased popula*
tion and wealth of the country ; yet that the gratuitous
assertion of Mr. Crawfurd was notoriously incorrect when
he stated that by means of the East India Company
" the commercial intercourse of the British nation with
140^000,000 Chinese was placed under a rigorous mono-
poly, in order to foster by all possible means the industry
of Americans and other foreigners /" The Americans and
other foreigners have been subjected to the influence of
no monopoly as it is termed, and what have they done ?

* Mr. Ellis on the China trade.

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Bat let anbaequent statemeDts answer the question, if the
foregoing figures be not amply sufficient for every impar-
tial person to form an opinion on it. To the firitish Ameri*
can colonies the East India Company have also augmented
their exports of tea, by which means, as the parliamentary
witnesses admit, the Americans have been excluded from
that market, notwithstanding the great facilities they
enjoy for smuggling, and the duty being most trifling.

QCTANTITY OF TSA BXPORTBD BY THE EAST f NDIA CoMPAlTT

TO Quebec, Montreal, &c.
Year. Quantity. Year. Quantity: Year. Quantity.

1824, 1,179,150 lbs. 1825, 1,499,576 lbs, 1826, 1,614,736 lbs.

There will be perceived an increase in two years of
435,586 lbs., and the smuggling from the States has
been found no longer profitable.

I will quote one more document as to the declining
consumption of tea on the continent of Europe, under
all the advantages of what is termed " free trade ;'* and
in doing so, I cannot help coming to the conclusion,
that if the prudent management of the East India Com-
pany were withdrawn from the British free trade, and
it were abandoned to the mad speculations of those
who think nothing is requisite to procure a ready sale
and increased consumption, but importation to the great-
est possible extent, it would soon beeome as " rmnous,*^
a commerce as the Americans' is stated to be ; it is, in-
deed, well worthy the deep attention of the legislature
to consider that the drinking of tea is an acquired taste,
which once weakened or annihilated, is not likely to be
restored, and if every warehonse in England were filled
with tea, no possible use could be made of k as an ar-
ticle of food, or for tho purpose of supporting life.

American Exportation of Tea from Canton, for
Foreign Consumption.

Years. Quantity. Years. Quantity.

1815-16 2,731,000 lbs. 1822-23 2,266,000 lbs.

1816-17 2,880,000 1823-24 1,238,800

1817-18 2,086,245 1824-25 1,762,000

1818-19 3,103,651 1825-26 1,360,000

1819-20...... 3,318,156 • 1826-27 357,966

Total . . 14,1 19,052 lbs. Total . . 6,935,566 lbs.

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Exportotioii tiiejbrsi 5 yean 14,110,052 Ite.

Do, • .second 6 yeass 6,985,566

Falling off during tlie latter period 7,183,486 Ibfl-

Thus we see that the Americans have, in twelve years^
made nothing of the canying trade, for the very obviocui
reason, that after the war they deluged the continent with
the herb, the result of which has been a decrease to a great
extent of the demand. In 1816, the navigation of the seas
was re-opened, — commerce again spread its sails over the
ocean, — and the turbulent passions of war were succeeded
by the active duties of peace. The industry, intelligence,
and perseverance of the Americans was observed foremost
in the van of speculative enterprise, and the merchants of
the southern States, with an ardour natural to their clime,
determined to push the tea trade with Europe : the first
five years show to what an extent it was carried ; but the
fairest way to estimate the extent of the speculations is to
look at it a few years after the trade was fully open.

In 1818-19. .3,103,651 lbs In 1825-26. .1,860,800 Ibs^.

In 1819-20. . 3,318,156 lbs In 1826-27. . 357,966 lb».

Total 6,421,807 lbs. Totel 1,718,766 lbs.

Here we see a decrease of 49703,8411bs, on two periods
of two years each, but according to the theories of
Messrs. Crawfnrd, Rickards, Whitmore^ &c., there should
have been an increase. Such has been the effect of glut*?
ting the market with a luxury ; had it been a nutritive
ieverage such as cocoa for instance, which at is. 6d. per lb*
will supply a labouring person with good, wholesome,
economical nourishment for several days^ the result would
have been otherwise ; the Americans might have gone on
increasing their iinportations^ for on account of the ge^
neral poverty of tl\e great mass of the people, whatever
will support life and can be had at a cheap rate« is

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Bure of being purchased, and extensively consumed. —
Even lowness of price has had no effect in increasing the
consumption of tea in Europe. From the report of the
British Consuls, I gather the following information in
support of my opinion, that it is unwise and impolitic as
regards the British revenue, as well as the extensive
commerce dependant on the present consumption of tea
in England to meddle with it — for assuredly if such be
the case, wide-spreading devastation will be the result! —
The British Consul-general at Hamburgh says, that he is
informed the market at Hamburgh as well as that of
Holland is overstocked with tea, and that the price since
1816, has been reduced one-third; — that '' the late fail-
ures in the United States, — the balance of two or three
million of dollars due to the American customs, — the loss
of the Dutch Tea-trading Company computed during the
last four years at 2,000,000 florins, sufficiently prove the
trade has of late been carried on without hen^tP From
Bremen the Consul writes that the consumption of tea is
trifling, occupying a small portion of ship room. At
Lubeck there is no wholesale trade in tea, and but a very
irregular one in the retail business ! At Dantzig, the prin-
cipal port in Prussia, there is no wholesale trade in tea;
the consumption in Prussia is too trifling to be known.
At Frankfort, Mr. Koch observes, that not more than
100 cwt. weight is consumed in the town and territory,
among a population of 70,000 !

This is at the rate of one-eighth of a pound for each
individual a-year, but even this, next to nothing con-
sumption cannot be given as a general scale. Of Germany,
as Mr. Koch says, "in some parts no tea is drank, and in
others very little, the people being in the habit of drink-
ing coffee for breakfast, and beer and wine at other
meals ! '' Let it be observed also, that the consumption
duty on tea is only ten pence per cwt., which is considered
so trifling, that the customs* register have no accurate
records of the importation. In Denmark there was on
hand after the September sale in 1828, 635,0001bs. of tea,
sufficient for Jive years consumption!

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If we proceed lo investigate the cause for the
stationary and decreased consumption of tea, we shall
find a solution of it in the extended use of coffee.* This
delightful berry was introduced into Surinam, by the
Dutch, in 1718 ; into Cayenne, by the French, in 1721 ;
into Martinico, in 1727; and into Jamaica, by the
English, in 1728. Its encreasing consumption in Europe
is indicated by the following statements.

European Consumption of Coffee.

In 1826 73,000 tons.

1827 95,600

1828 96,000

1829 100,000

1830 122,900

The consumption of Coffee in the principal countries in
Europe in 1830, was as follows :

In Great Britain 9,700 tons.

Netherlands and Holland 40,200

Germany and the Baltic 32,000

France, Spain, and Portugal 28,500

America. 12,500

Total 122,900

To meet this vast demand, and to show how many parts
of the globe are capable of furnishing the berry, I sub-
join the present annual production : —

Java 19,000 tons.

Sumatra, and other parts of India 6,000

Brazils, and the Spanish Main 32,000

St. Domingo 15,000

Cuba 14,000

British West India Colonies 5,000

French ditto, and Bourbon 8,000

Total 111,500

* Since the lowering of the duty to 6(2, the consumption of cofTee
lias increased above 130 per cent; tea on which the duty has been in--
created has augmented onl) 26 per cent.

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It will be observed that the supply is inadequate to the
demand, and one half of the 111,600 tons is of recent
growth, hence it may be inferred what a still further
reduction in the consumption of tea will ensue, when the
supply of coffee will so much exceed the demand as to
lessen the price. The following table of the consumption
of coffee in Great Britain, at two periods, will account for
the moderate use. of tea.*

In 1795 282,200 lbs In 1825 11,080,970 lbs

1796 515,200 1826 13,203,323

1797 600,300 1827 15,566,376

1 798 582,400 1828 1 7,127,633

1799 761,600 1829 19,476,180

1800 658,500 1830 21,728,000

Total .... 3,400,200 lbs Total . . 97,282,482 lbs

In the United States the consumption of Coffee has
progressed as follows :—

1821.

1822

1823

6,680 tons

In 1824 ....

9,000 tons

7,000

1825

9,500

8,000

and 1830

15,000

The Philadelphia Price Current to the commencement
of 1832, gives the following statement respecting coffee :

In 1821 the quantity imported was. . • » 21,275,659 lbs.
Do do exported 9,378,596

Importation from 1821 to 1831 419,996,628 lbs.

Exportation 162,024,067

The total quantity • of • coffee consumed

during the first five years was .... 87,331,465 lbs.
Do. . . .do .... last .h « 170,659,096

* There are 3,000 <;offee shops in London, in which are daily con-
sumed 2;000Lbs. of tea and 15,000 lbs. of coffee. The consumption of
coffee in these establishments has increased as follows :~In 1829
1^978,600 Ibs.-In 1830 2,251,300 lbs.— In 1831 2^99370. Of tea
the increase has only been during the same periods, 239,700 lbs. —
249,400 lbs.-263^000' lbs.

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The largest quantity was from Cuba, but the importa-
tion from Brazil was nearly equal in amount : the Editor
says the consumption of coffee is still rapidly on the in-
csrease. The augmented production of the Brazils is
shewn as follows : —

In 1820 Brazil produced . . 14,900,000 lbs.

1822 24,300,000

1824 86,700,000

1826 41,600,000

1827 67,900,00a

It may be said that the increased consumption in coffee
is owing to a dimunition in its cost price; the custom*
house returns shew that it was in proportion as the govern-*
ment duty was lowered, that the consumption increased f in
1820 the price of coffee was still from 118 to 136s. per cwt.*

The following table exhibits the immediate increase^
according to the lessened taxation :—

From 1791 tol7M
1795.. 1799
1800.. 1804
1805..*1807
1808.. 1812
1813.. 1818
1819.. 1824
1825.. 1830

, Years
{InclaslTC

4
5
5
S
5
6
6
6

Duty.
H. d.

1 5

Consumption

1,555 or

1,229 ..

1,814 ..

1,489 ..
16,020 ..
19,019 ..
20,887 ..
43,691 ..

for thai Period.

ItM.

3,483,100

2,741,700
4,063,300
3,337,200.
35384.800-
42,603,137
46,874,407
98,183,481

YaarlyAverage
lbs.

870,775

548,340

812,460

1,112,400

7,176,960

7,100,523

7,812,402

16,363,916

Perhaps the opponents of the East India Company will
say— well, although the government duty of 100 percent,
has been kept upon tea, yet (in the words of M* . Graw-
furd's pamphlet) "it is not good to pay a doubk price fo»
a necessary ofUfe, and to be put on a short allowance of
such/' Official documents furnish me with an incontes.-
table refutation of the assertion.

By a parliamentary return I find that the East India

♦The consumption of cocoa has increased much of late, although
bearing an exceedingly high price. In 1828 the importation was 8,000
barrels and bags, while in 1829 there were imported into the port of
London alone 18,000 barrels and bags !

t In 1807, the duty was 2s 2d, and the consumption 475 tons; in
1808, the duty was 7d, and the consumption rose to 3,950 tons !

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Company diminished the price of tea as follows, since the
last renewal of their charter ; —

Iha, 8. d.

Year ending May l,1815,Boheasold 397,909price 2 lOperlb.

Do do 1820, 1,497,592 1 9

Do do 1829, 8,778,012 1 6

What an idea this conveys of a monopoly ! An increase
in the supply of 900 per cent., while the price is dimi-
nished full 60 per cent!!! Truly may Mr. Crawfurd say,
when attacking the liberal French for their permitting a
sovereign monopoly of tobacco, ''I admit at once that the
monopoly (?) of the East India Company in tea does not
labour under equal disadvantages: the company have the
fear of public opinion before their eyes, in a country where
public opinion is sometimes pretty loudly expressed, and
they have before their eyes, abo^e all, the fear of losing
their monopoly ; these are some checks upon the quality
of the supply, but as experience has sufficiently proved, none
at all upon the price exacted.** Contrast the latter passage
with the official return above given, and with the follow-
ing conclusive statement even on the price of all the East
India Company's teas.

A Statement, showing the Average Sale Price per Pound of all
Teas sold by the East India Company in each Year during
the present Charter.

1814-15 3 4.53 1822-23 2 9.94

1815-16 3 1.23 1823-24 2 10.31

1816-17 2 11.63 1824-25 2 9.94

1817-18 3 0.78 1825-26 2 8.51

1818-19 3 0.23 1826-27 2 6.40

1819-20 2 9.16 1827-28 2 4.56

1820-21 2 9.43 1828-29 2 3.07

1821-22 2 10.19

East-India House, (Errors excepted.)

6th Jan. 1830. Thos. G. Lloyd^ Accountaiit-General.

In order to show the inimical disposition with which
Mr. Crawfurd regards the East India Company, when he
asserts that they have kept up the price of tea, as he does

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in the passage above |;iyen^ I will quote from a table
which he himself has delivered in to the Parliamentary
Committee on the price of tea in America ; but before
doing BO, I must request the reader's attention to the
following important document, by which it will be seen
that the Company have to a considerable extent been
lowering the prices of tea ; in 1828 the public paid less for
28,230,383 lbs of tea than they did in 1810 for
23,648,468 lbs., by upwards of £600,000 !

Quantity and Sale Price of Tea Imported by the
East India Company^
1810—23,548,468 lbs— £3,896,29 1
1813—24,424,832 lbs— £3,896,871
1819—25,492,000 lbs— £3,489,385
1824—26,523,327 lbs— £3,741,402
1826—27,700,978 lbs— £3,485,092
1828— 28,*230,383 lbs— £3,286,272 !

Contrast the foregoing diminution of cost in England
with the increased price in America as Mr. Crawfurd has
himself unwittingly exhibited it.

Increasing Price of Teas in America during the Last
Ten Years.

Teas.

tHyson

Young Hyson
Hyson Skin .
Souchong . .

Years.

1820

1822

1824

1826

1828

t. d.

«. d.

s. d.

2 6

2 10

2 7

2 8

1 11

1 10

2 8

2 3

1 2

2 2

1 7

1 5

1 1

1 3

1 7

1 6

1829

8. d.

2 71:

2 3
1 4

1 7

What becomes of Mr. Crawfurd*s allegation as to there
being no check on the Company charging any price, when
we find them actually lowering the cost of tea, while the
Americans are enhancing theirs ?

* The Company offered for sale 1,317,920 lbs. more than this, but
the buyers refused to purchase so large a quantity ! !

t These are the teas in {general use.
t Calculated at the rate of is 3|</ per dollar.

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Moreover, the East India Company put up their tea at
an advance of only one farthing perpoun dalthough the
Commutation Act authorises them to offer it under OTi^pe/in^
advance on the upset price, yet the tea dealers uphold the
market for their own advantage,* or else it is most probable
the Company would have been enabled to lower the price
even more than they have done.

But that I may the more fully expose these attempts
to blind the public, I offer the Allowing table, as handed
in to the Parliamentary Committee by Mr. Milne, a gen-
tleman many years resident in Philadelphia, and engaged
in the China trade. It is the prices of tea at New York,
reduced to sterling at the exchange of 8 per cent, premium.

Ave-
rage.

Price of Teas from 1820 to 1830.

1820 1821

I. d. s. d,

9 2

3i2

4
24

I 11

1822
. d,
8*2 11
"23
1 4
1 3i

1823
;. d.
2 9
2 9
1 9
1

1824 1825

(. J. s. d,
3 1 3
3 3

5^2

4i2
I 2

1826

4 '^ 11
\\2 10

2 6

1827
. d.
3 6i
3 "
2

1828

. d,
3 6i

1829

s. d,

3 U

6i3 6i3

2 11(2 Hi
2 7i2 1

2 1U:3 2 ;2 8

1 lOJl Hi 2 2i2 7i2 9

According to these statements, it is the Americans that
have felt the monopoly effects of the Canton trade, if
we are to credit Mr. Crawfurd*s theories, for their import
tation of tea has been diminishing during the last few
years, while the price has been increasing !

These are certainly rather stubborn facts for the op-
ponents of the East India Company to deal with, but
they are conclusive in favour of the judicious and careful
management of this important trade. No wonder that
Captain CoflSn (an American) stated in his evidence
before the late parliamentary committee, that the number
of American ships latterly trading to Canton has decreased,
and ** the profits realized by the merchants engaged in
the trade, is now considerably less than what they were
three or four years ago!'* and this, notwithstanding, as

* Mr. T. Mills, a tea-dealer, in his evidence confirms this : he states^
*^ Congou tea put up hy the Company at Is. 8(/., often fetches 2s. 5cf.,
and other congou tea put up at 2r. \d.y has fetched 3s. Id ! There is
plei*y of tea for sale; yet the Company are blamed for the high,
prices !

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Captain CoflSn adds^ ** that the Chinese favor the Ameri-
cans on account of the great quantity of specia that the
bring to Canton^ while the East India Company import
large quantities of goods //'*

But what does Mr, Edward Thompson say, a Phila-
delphia gentleman, who was the largest ship-owner in
the American China trade, and who, as an individual,
paid the largest sum to his government in the shape of
duties, that any individual ever did ?* Why, that he em-
barked in the Chinese trade with six ships, and a capital
of 800,000 Spanish dollars, applicable to the trade.
What has been the result? Mr. Thompson, like many
others of his countrymen who engaged in the same pur-
suits, is a bankrupt I and the American government has
lost a considerable portion of the duties due, for two
years credit is obtainable in the States, not fourteen days
as in England.

It may be surmised .that the reason for the increased
price of tea in America during the last few years, not-
withstanding the competition which has made bankrupts
of so many persons, has been owing to the enhanced
charge for tea at Canton. The following statement of
two Americans, Captain CoflSn and Mr. Bates, will prove
that the vety reverse has taken place : —

In 1822. I In 1829.

Perpecul. I Perpecul.

Souchong.... 22 to 23 tales i Souchong. .. .14 to 25 tales

Hyson Skin. . 9 to 18
Young Hyson 20 to 85
Congou.. •• 14 to 20

Hyson Skin . . 35
Young Hyson 36
Congou 21 to 22

I find so many statements crowding upon me, con-
firmatory of my opinions that I am induced to continue
an exposition of facts which have too long been concealed
from, or overlooked by, the public. At page 78 Mr.
Crawfurd charges the East India Company with checking
the consumption of tea in .England by its monopoly, and
thus he says " reducing her (England) from the con-
dition of a wealthy to that of a poor customer in compari'
son with nations enjoying the advantages of competition,**
Now, in order to support this assertion, Mr. Crawfurd

* Fourteen miliion JSpanith dollan !

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should have demonstrated that the consumption often has
decreased in England on account of the East India Com-
pany's monopoly ; and increased in America on account
of that country " enjoying the advantages of competition ;"
and he might have added on account also of the lightness
of general taxation in America — of the vast increase of
population — of the re/^rftveloc^er price of tea, and the greater
comparative wealth of the people : if Mr. Crawfurd had
proved his assertion by figures I would not have written
one line in favor of the present system ; but on
turning to a table delivered into the Parliamentary Com-
mittee by Mr. Crawfurd himself, what do I find ? Why,
the very reverse of his allegation ! From a table of the
comparative consumption of tea in Great Britain and
America, I derive the following figures, which I beg
public attention to as highly illustrative of what are
termed the "deplorable effects of the East India Com-
ny's monopoly. ^^

American consumption of tea. British consumption of tea.

1819 — 5,480,884 lbs. 1819 — 24,093,619 lbs.

1827 — 6,372,956 1827 — 27,841,284

Decrease ! . . 107,828 lbs. Increase . . 3,747,665 lbs.

What will the free traders who have raised such an
outcry against the East India Company say to this?
The United States levying an ad valorem duty of 60 per
cent. ; with a people rapidly increasing in numbers, wealth,
and all the concomitant blessings attendant on . national
prosperity, and with the freest competition, consume less
tea by one hui<idred thousand pounds weight in
1827, than they did in 1819 ; — and Great Britain, levying
an ad valorem duty of 100 per cent ; — with an impove-
rished population, ground to the earth by taxation, and
no indication of national prosperity, yet by the careful
and truly praiseworthy conduct of the East India
Company, not only is tjbere no falling off in the consump-
tion of tea, but there is actually an increase of nearly ybiir
million of pimnds weight from 1819 to 1827, and let it
be remembered also, that the price of tea has been lowered

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by the Company in England, while, on the other hand,
the price has been raised in America ! Further comment
on this gratifying truth would be useless.

That I may leave no loophole through which the
'* disinterested *' opponents of the present system may
escape from these (to them) horrifying figures, let us see
if America has been re-exporting tea in proportion to her
diminished consumption; if so our antagonists have a
right to say, that, at least, the American carrying trade
has augmented. But here, too, the advocates of justice
and commercial policy are triumphant, as the following
figures derived from another of Mr. Crawfurd^s furnished
tables will prove. It is preferable to build arguments on
Mr. Crawfurd's statements, because the party to whom
he belongs will be the less disposed to question their
accuracy.

American exports of tea from Canton, and from the

United States, to foreign ports, from 1825 to 1828.
Years. From the United States. From Canton.

1825 3,035,908 lbs 1,762,000 lbs.

1826 2,804,758 1,360,800

1827 1,626,417 357,966

1828 1,417,846 910,000

1,954,834 lbs.

So then I have fairly demonstrated, from the very
tables furnished by Mr. Crawfurd, Ist. That the price of
tea in America has been increased, notwithstanding that
its prime cost at Canton has been lowered : — the
Americans by not purchasing their teas by contract obtain
them at a cheaper rate than the East India Company,
who, on account of the large quantity they require, and
by reason of the Commutation Act which obliges them to
keep one year's supply always on hand in England, are
necessitated to make considerable advances to the Chinese
besides paying a higher sum for their teas, which Captain
Coffin and Mr. Bates, (Americans), admit to be " from 6
to 10 per cent better than their teas," and yet the price

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has been lessened in England, according to another table
of Mr. Crawfurd's,* full thirty per cent within the last
fifteen years, and in some sorts, as I have before shewn,
upwards oi fifty per cent! 2ndly. That under what are
considered the most propitious circumstances, the con-
sumption of tea has diminished in America, while under
the operation of what has absurdly been termed a
monopoly in England, the consumption has increased,
in some sorts of tea to the extent of 900 per cent!
3rdly, That the cairying trade in tea, which it was boasted
the Americans were usurping to the exclusion of Eng-
land, that this even has fallen off to an extraordinary de-
gree. Throughout Europe, as I have shewn, the consump-
tion of tea has diminished, while, notwithstanding the
active competition carried on by the Americans with the
Dutch, the price of tea, according to Mr. Masterson, the
Vice-consul at Rotterdam, has exhibited "very little fluc"
tuation during the last ten ysurs.^^

At the Cape of Good Hope I find also, that the price
of tea is decreasing. The averege price in 1815-16 being
3s. 6d., and in 1827-28, 3s. 2^d.

Having satisfactorily demonstrated to every reasoning
individual, the truth of the proposition assumed in the
first page, respecting the misapplication of the word
" monopoly,** as unjustly attached to the tea trade, I now
proceed to notice a serious charge brought against the
present system ; and even with the scanty documents
which chance has thrown into my possession, and although
I am almost without books or public documents to refer
to, yet I trust I shall be enabled to expose in the most con-
clusive manner, the falsity of every assertion which I
propose to examine into. At page 6S of the pamphlet I
am referring to, there is a long string of invective against
the East India Company's tea trade, as it affects the
British Exchequer, and this being an important question
for the people of England, I shall reply to each allegation
separately, but briefly.

Mr. Crawfurd says, " considered as an instrument of
taxation, the monopoly possesses in reality every quality
« Vide page 356, Evidence before the Commons.

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of a bad tax; (Ist.) being costly in the collection beyond
any other/'

Now whether Mr. Crawfurd, or the select committee
of the House of Commons, appointed to inquire into this
subject, is to be believed, the public must decide ; the
following is the ComrnUtee^s Report, who seem to be un*
able to repress their astonishment at the cheapness with
which the tea duty is collected.

'^ T/ie revenue to the crown from tea is produced by an ad valorem
duty. The average amount of this revenue is stated to be about
3,300,000/. annually. It is most economically collected by the Company,
who pay it over quarterly, a fortnight after they receive it; and the whole
of the charge incurred by the crown for an establishment to check and
superintend this branch of the excise in London, is stated to amount to
less than 10,000/. annually, exclusive of the establishment/or superintend--
ifig the dealers* stocks .'"*

The amount of tea duties received by the crown from
1814 to 1830, was 60,184,113/. sterling! Compare this
with the following statements :—

The Imposts on Spirits, Malt

Liquors, Wine, Sugar, Coffee, The Expense of Collecting the

Tobacco, and Stamps,t were Revenue, was in, —
in,—

1828 £33,454,367 1828 £3,270,475

1829 33,155,634 1829 3,118,102

1830 31,457,846 1830 3,014,224

Total £97,067,847

Total £9,402,801

Thus we find that a revenue of one hundred million
costs nearly one tenth of the sum for collecting it, while a
revenue of fifty million sterling on tea, does not cost the
government the three hundredth part of the sum I %

The American witnesses in their evidence before the
House of Commons, stated that heavy defalcations had
occurred in the American revenue, by reason of the ex-

• The latter is of trifling import.

t These form the principal items from which the revenue (exclusive
of tea) is derived ; the Post office is detached, and separately col-
lected.

X Sir H. Parnell makes the charge for collecting the revenue, in
1826, 7^ per cent*

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tensive failure of tea merchants ; it being absolutely
necessary to give them two years* credit ! *

Mr. Crawfurd charges six hundred thousand pounds
window tax, which commenced to be levied in 1784,
against the East India Company. The unfairness of such
an allegation, will be evident by observing that when the
window tax was levied, tea paid a duty of only twelve
pounds ten shillings per cent, whereas it now pays one
hundred pounds per cent. Mr. Pitt also, in imposing the
window tax, made it as much as possible a property tax,
by levying it on houses of a certain class, which persons
having a superfluity of income could alone afford to live
in. In the foregoing instance will be perceived the quo
animo Mr. Crawfurd acts up to; but having, I thirjc,
amply rebutted the allegation of" costly collection,^* I turn
to another charge, (No. 2) viz. that the tea tax is *' un-
certain in amount ;'? (page 68) and at page 70, the charge
is reiterated as follows : " With respect to the uncettaiidy
and decline of the tea duties, whether positive or in refer-
ence to the duties on corresponding commodities, we have
happily a plain and palpable case for the interference of
the Chancellor of the Exchequer." This is a bold asser-
tion, and one which, if true, would indeed call for the
immediate investigation of the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer, and even of Parliament, but imperfect as my means
are, I can incontrovertibly demonstrate its falsity, both
positively and relatively.

The following parliamentary document proves the care-
ful manner in which the public taste for tea has been
attended to ; and that when the duty was lowered from 27/.
to 12/. the consumption instantly increased 6,000,000 lbs.
weight in one year, viz. from 1784 to 1786 ! When the
duty was raised, the coasurpption, of course, decreased,
but by no means to the extent that might have been an-
ticipated in a rise from 12 to 06 per cent. ! This was an
increased duty in the course of a few years, which was
enough to have destroyed the trade altogether ; and it
would doubtless have done so under ordinary circum*
stances ; but notwithstanding this onerous duty during
the last quarter of a century, the tea duty has maintained
♦ Vide Mr. Milne's evidence before the Lords, pp. 801.

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its ground, and increased even in amount more in propor-
tion than siigar,^ which is consumed so generally, and used
in so many domestic preparations, as well as in breweries,
distilleries, &c. as will be hereafter shewn.

Return of the Quantity of Teas sold annually at the
East India Company's Sales, with the accouut and rate
of duty from 1770 to 1806.

Years.

Quantity of Tea
sold.

Account of
Duty.

lbs.

1770

8,630,793

373,375

•X

1771

6,814,661

317,635

1772

7,100,366

300,420

1773

4,584,169

203,918

! 23/. 18*. 7Jrf. per cent.
/ Custom duty.

1774

6,866,422

265,288

1775

6,212,360

262,433

1776

4,602,858

200,927

1777

5,659,476

241,287

1778

4,823,963

204,619

•

1779

6,650,704

317,983

J25/. 2*. 6jrf. do.

1780

7,577,879

852,85L

1781

5,031,649

265,961

25/. 16*. 3e/.

1782

6,495,518

330,390

)

1783

5,877,340

301,855

}27l.08.l0d.

1784

9,937,243

380,761

1785

14,921,893

292,194

1786

15,943,682

341,946

1787

16,222,923

366,646

1788

15,014,616

307,317

1789

16,709,946

326,817

12/. lOs. per cent, customs

1790

16,694,798

340,170

) and excise.

1791

17,263,317

344,293

1792

18,134,943

351,710

1793

17,37^,208

334,576

1794

19,137,478

380,805

1795

21,354,071

636,971

1796

20,567,952

705,572

[ From 20/. to 30/. per cent,
on different teas.

1797

18,781,259

817,996

1798

22,822,286

1,221,080

* From 20/. to 35/. do.

1799

24,077,984

1,341,172

1800

23,378,816

1,424,195

From do. to 40/. do.

1801

24,531,514

1,544,152

)

1802

25,300,067

1,679,764

V Frtm do. to 50/- do.

1803

25,401,728

2,327,812

)

1804

22,871,834

2,709,703

)

1805

24,927,576

3,108,991

} 95/. per cent, on all teas.

1806

22,895,851

3,123,933

* Sir li. Parneli admits tins. ^Financial Reform, pp. 44 and 48.

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As Mr. Crawfurd fixes on the East India Company for
having caused a diminution in the consumption of tea
(which charge the foregoing table proves to be erroneous),
at whose door will he lay the bkme of having dimimsked
the consumption of sugar during the last twenty-jive years ? *

Home Consumption of Sugar.
Years. Home Consurap. Nett Revenue. Rate of Duty.

1806 toDS 140,087 £3,097,590> on British plantation sugar,

1807 „ 113,883 £3,150,753> 1/. 7*. sterling.

1808 „ 142,140 £4,177,916) on East India sugar, 1/. 9*.

Total tons 396,010£ 10,426,259

1814t tons 99,900 £3,276,513 \ \h 10«. plantation & 1/. 10^,

1815 „ 94,448 £2,957,403 C East Jndia.

1816 „ 111,407 £3,166,851 1/. 7*. do. & 1/. 17«. do.

Total tons 305,755 £9,400,767

These two periods offer a remarkable contrast ; the
former exhibits an increase in consumption over the latter
of upwards of ninety thousand tons of sugar, although the
duty was but slightly raised, while the expenditure
of money during a long war had enabled the people in
general to live better, and, of course, to consume more
sugar ; the population had considerably increased, and
the distillery sugar is included. The falling off in the
revenue during the latter period is no less striking ; it will
be seen to have declined upwards of one million sterling!
Unfortunately for Mr. Crawfurd's assertions, there was no
East India Company ** monopoly"*' to account for this
lamentable decay ; sugar was produced in different parts
of the globe, and in our own colonies in abundance — not
like tea, alone procurable from a capricious and un-
manageable foreign state, situated at the most distant part
of the earth.

* From 1785 to 1789 the average annual consumption of sugar in
England was 81,000 tons ; from 1795 to 1799 the annual consumption
was only 7 1,291 tons !

t Even sugar used in the distilleries is included in this return.

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I have only at hand the revenue on tea paid at two years
mentioned in the foregoing statements ; they are« how-
ever sufficient to bear me out in my argument.

REVENUE FOR TEA IN 1806 AND 1816.
Years. Nett Revenue.

1806 £3,123,983

1$16 £3,956,719

Increased Revenue .... £ 832,786

A pretty proof of " relative decline in the tea duties /"
Having given a distance of ten years in the sugar returns,
I will now place two periods twenty years distant from
each other, during which years the government duty was
alike — viz., 1/, Is. per cwt.

CONSUMPTION OF AND REVENUE ON SUGAR IN 1808 AND 1828.
Years. Home consumption. Nett revenue.

1808 tons 142 140 £4,177,916

1828* 164 292 £4,576,287

Increased consumption of sugar and augmented

revenue therefrom in twenty years. . .tons 22,152 .... £398,371

Mr. Crawfurd's constituents will scarcely feel obliged
to him, for having so incautiously made the present alle-
gation ; for it is thusproi?edon examination, that the duty

on tea increased in ten years. £832,786 sterling.

Aod on sugar in twenty years ! £398,371

Balance in favour of tea in half the time £434,415

In reference to the consumption of sugar, it is necessary
to add an observation, in order to show that there is in
fact, a ^xe^iiex proportionate consumption of tea in England,
than there is of sugar in this or any other country, as the
following calculation of a celebrated statistical writer will
demonstrate.

• The increased consumption of the latter period has been owing to
the admission of Mauritius sugar, in 1825, at the same rate of duty
as West India sugar ; the importation from the Mauritius increased
as follows : —
1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830

4,630 . . 10,930 . . 10,220 . . 18,570 . . 14^580 . . 23,740 tons!

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Consumption of Sugar.

In France each individual, anuually 6 lbs.

Hamburg do. do 10

Germany do. do. throughout .... 6

United States do. do 8

Ireland do. do • 3

Great Britain do. do 14

Fourteen pounds of sugar per annum, will afford but
little more than half an ounce a day to each individual ; a
quantity, which it is well known the youngest child will
consume, and yet a large portion of the sugar entered for
home consumption, is used in breweries, and distilleries, so
that it is even doubtful, whether the personal direct con-
sumption of tea or sugar be the greatest ; notwithstanding
the latter may be had in such great abundance and in
every country within the tropics, as the following return
will evince.

SUOAR IMFORTEO INTO GrEAT BrITAIN FOR HoME CoNSUMF-
TION, REFINING, AND RE-EXPORTATION FROM 1829 tO 1830.

1828. 1829. .1830.

Of British Plantation Tons 196,400. . 195,230. .185,660

Mauritius 18,570.. 14,580.. 23,740

Bengal 6,635.. 8,700.. 10,180

Siam, Java, Manilla, &c I9I75. . 1,600. . 5,600

Havannah 1,900.. 5,300.. 6,060

Brazil 4,940.. 4,680.. 5,480

Molasses^ red. into Bastards, = >13,010. . 9,950 . . 5,620

Tons 244,630 240,040 242,340

As Mr. Crawfurd seems to delight in comparing sugar
with tea as to its consumption, duties and price, although
every person must be convinced of the unjustness of the
comparison, the one being a necessary of life,* and the
other an innutritive stimulant ; I shall pursue the necessary

* Sugar, or a saccharine principle, is the main nutritive ingredient
in every vegetable, and the negroes, during cane time in the West
Indies, fatten enormously on sugar; the same is the case with animals.

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inquiry a little farther. I have shewn that the East India
Company have lessened the price of tea, in one species in
general use, as much as 50 per cent.

Let us observe if the same reduction has taken place
in the price of sugar : it will be sufficient to give from
1819 to 1827, which I do from a work on " the Commerce
of Great Britain,* and as British plantation sugar is the
most extensively used, I will take that as my guide.

PrICB of WbST IlTDlAN Str&AR VROM 1819 to 1827.
1819 1820 1821 1822

Sugar per c w t . . 56^ to 76s . . 57» to 769 . . 6Ze to 769 • . 629 to 76$
1823 1824 1825 1826 1827

58* to 70*. . 659 to 70*. . 64* to 75*. . 679 to 72*. . 59* to 7l«

Here we find no diminution in price for nine years, and
yet there is no East India Company ** monopoly " to ac«-
count for it ; and if we turn to the price of sugar from
the Company's territories in India, notwithstanding their
being four times more distant than Jamaica, atid in spite
of the unjustly high rate of duty levied oh East &i)er West
India sugars, we will find that they have diminished in
price, augmented in quantity, and improved in quality^

The following are the prices of Bengal sugar at tWo
distant periods : —

^ 1815 1816

Bengal Sugar f 65* to 75* 42* to 90*

percwt. f 1829 18S0

J 25* to 38^ 25* td 81^

From the efforts now making by the East India Com-
pany to extend the cultivation of sugar in their territories
the price will be still further lowered,t particularly if the
government at home will reduce a portion of the present
enormous duty of 325. per cwt, while West India sugar
pays but 24s.

That it may not be said a comparison with the price
of West India sugar is unfair, as undue protection is

• Published by BicbiifdsOn, Corabtli. _ .

t The French fmd Anericans import a good deal of sugar from
Bengal, as they prefer it for the^makin|| erf syrup and for confec-
tionary purposes. The Company fiave offered liberal premiums for the
encouragement of the sugar manufacturers in Bengal.

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afforded to it, I will shew that the price of Havannab
sugar has also increased notwithstanding the extensive
importations of slaves that have taken place into the
island.

iNCRSAsiNO Price op Havannah Sugar per cwt.

1821 1823 1825 182? 1828

B59 to 40tf. .36« to 43tf. .44^ to 4Ss, .388 to 44^. .40^ to 468

I shall now look at a few other articles of general con-
sumption, and demonstrate that they have neither in-
creased in amount, augmented the revenue, or lessened
in price, more than tea, but rather the reverse. I shall
first examine the coffee returns, from an early period up
to the time when the duty was so considerably reduced,
and the consumption, as I have before shewn, so extra-
ordinarily raised.

Home Consumption of Coffee from 1808 to 1824.
Years. Consuraption. Daty.

Years. ConsumptioQ. Duty.
1808. .8,848,0001bs. . Id.^lh.
1809.. 6,1 07^200.... do.

1810.. 6,092,800 do.

1811.. 7,671, 200 do.

1812.. 8,266,600 do.

,1813.. 6,048,000 71

1814. .6,868,800. . . .do.

1816.. 6,832,000 do.

1816.. 7,436,800.... do.

1817.. 8,108,800lbs. . 7|rf. ^ lb.

1818.. 8,308,737 do.

1819.. 7,790,783 1*.

1820.. 7,103,409 do.

1821.. 7693,001 do.

1822.. 7,669,361 do.

1823.. 8,464,920.,., do.
1824.. 8,262,943 do.

No impartial person can peruse the foregoing state-
ment, and compare it with the tea return for thirty-six
years before given, and not be convinced of the compa-
rison being in favour of the East India Company. Coffee,
like sugar, is the produce of many places, and a large
portion of it was obtained from our West India islands
within six weeks' sail of England, instead of six months
distance as China is, and yet it will be perceived that
during seventeen years the consumption of coffee did not
increase.

The revenue in 1816 was. .£268,762 sterling.
And 1818 only. . £260,106

DecreoH^ #•••»£ 8,666

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It will be seen that the price of coffee has also increased
from 1816 to 1822, and it was not until the lowering of
the duty began to stimulate the foreign grower, that its
price fell. It is now again (February 1832) comparatively
dear; the public are complaining of " ji coffee monopoly !^

INCREASING PrICE OF COFFEE.

1816 1818 1820 1822

Jamaica per cwt. 685 to 102s. . 134s to 135s . . 112s to 135s.. 85s to 135s
St Domingo 74s to 75s . . 144s to 148s . . 118s to 120s .. 95s to lOis
I must now request the reader's attention to the revenue
derived from tobacco for fifteen years, and it will be seen
that, although during the latter period, the duty was
lessened from 4s. to 85., yet the revenue did not augment,
and, in fact, was scarcely more in the year 1828 than in
1816.

Revenue derived from Tobacco from 1816 to 1828 for
Home Consumption.*

YEARS REVENUE

1816.. £.2,035,109
I8I7.. 2,158,500
1818. . 2,173,866
1819.. 2,285,045

years revenue
1820.. £.2,610,972
182J.. 2,600,415
1822.. 2,599,155
1823.. 2,695,009

YEARS REVENUE

1824.. £.2,637,855
1825.. 2,530,617
1826. . 2,077,875
1827.. 2,223,340
1828. . 2,198,142
The article of imported spirits will afford also a cor-
roboration of my opinions. I will examine Rum first.
Home Consumption of Rum.

YEARS consumption

1818 2,325,268 I

1825 2,455,505

YEARS CONSUMPTION

1806 2,580,879 gals.

1816 1,109,239

Annual average consumption of ten \ ^ ^^m aqq ^^i«

years, from 1806 to 1815 j 4,177,083 gals.

Do. do. do. from 1816 to 1825 .... 2,784,534

Decrease 1,382,449 gals.

* In 180% the quantity of unmanufactured tobacco retained for home
consumption, in Great Britain, was 12,12l,2781bs.^n 1822, it was
12,970,566ibs. Again, in 1812, it was, 15,043,5331bs.; and in 1828, il
was only 14,540,368, being a decrease of half a million of pounds. Un-
fortunately there was no East India Company's " Monopottf* to lay
this diminished consumption at the door of. In Ireland I iind
the quantity consumed, at four periods, to be as follows : In 1794,
9,^6,211lb8. In 1804» 5,783,4871bs. In 1814, 4,866,304ibs. ; and in
1824, 3>749J32 lbs!

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In the foregoing return the decrease is considerable,
and it is not compensated for by th^ consuipptioa of the
two following foreign spirits.

Bbandy : — Gallons

Average consiimptioD from 1806 to 1815 was 1,109,583
Do. Do. 1815 to 1816 1,058,576

Decrease gallons 51,007

Geneva : —

Average consumption from 1806 to 1816 was 272,893
Do. Do. 1816 to 1826 117,461

Decrease gallons 55,492

Although the documents produced may be thought
amply sufficient to refute Mjp. Crawfurd's allegations
respecting the positive or relative decrease in the tea
duties^ but which, in fact, have inerea^d during the ia^t
twenty-five years, while every other article has been nearly
stationary, or on the decline,'*' yet I am induced to refer
to a few more illustratious, as the returps are before me :

Revevue derived from Cotton Goods.
Years. Duties received. Years. Duties received.

1815 £1,298,057 I 1827 £1,524,664

1820 £1,484,643 | 1830 £1,942,918

This branch of coipmerce which must bQ conaidered
the British staple manufacture, presents no superiority
over the tea reTenue managed by a so called •* monopoly ^

The Wine returns for Great Britain and Ireland de-
monstrate whether the consumption of wine has increased
in the United Kingdom in an equal or greater propor-
tion than tea, I take all sorts of wine at two periods of
ten years oaeb, aad I obtaiQ the following data satisfac-
tory as to my conclusions respecting the consumption
of tea having not only maintained its ground, but sur-
passed even i^i consumption those articles of nutrition and
luiri]iry which are oi gemral \xse.

* Decreate in the Excise from 1831 te 1S32 £2,564,000

Do. <nilheCMtMis do. do £1,007,000

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Consumption of all sorts of Wine in Great Britain.

From the year 1790 to 1800, Wine gallons. . . .62»002,665
From do 1810 to 1820, do ... .54^84,820

Decrease ! Wine gallons 7,477>845 ! ! !

Consumption of all sorts of Wine in Ireland.

From 1790 to 1800, Wine gallons 15,232,138

From 1810 to 1820, do 7,1^,761

Decrease ! Wine gallons 8,054,377

The foUowing^table will place the matter in a clearer
light, and it must not be forgotten that wine like sugar,
tobacco or any of the other articles which I am quoting
(to prove that there is no blame to be attached to the
East India Company respecting the consumption of 4ea;
but the very contrary), are the productions in abundance
of divers civilized countries and fruitful climes, not con-
fined like tea to the cultivation of one soil or the manu-
facture of one people, and that people the most irksome
to deal with of any on the face of the globe.

nOOBTATIONS AND RB-BXPORTATIONS OF WINE INTO AND

FROM ORBAT BRITAIN.

Yeftn. Tons iraported. Tons le-exported. Home consumption.

1800 49,762 14,501 85,261

1810 47,058 12,729 34,329

1811 20,787 5,928 14,864

1812 35,082 6,716 28,366

1813 no returns uo returns.

1814 31,465 11,838 29,627

1815 30,874 5,855 25,019

1816 18,218 5,163 13,055

1817 27,073 4,457 22,616

1818 35,763 4,021 31,742

1819 23,408 3,843 19,565

1820 22,782 4,625 18,157

Average annual consumption during

the first fiveyeara 28,489 tons.

Ditto, during the last five years 21,02?

Average annual diminution « 7^462 ! *

^ The average annual diminution in the Excise during the last five
}fear8 was 140,000/. yearly !

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Thus far the East India Company have not a right 1
be blamed by Mr. Crawford for depriving the people <
wine, and on reference to the excise returns, I find ths
the Chancellor of the Exchequer will scarcely venture t
complain of the ^* positive or relative decline of the ti
duties** when he compares them with those derived froi
wine.

I take two periods of five years each since the peace i
Europe, as the fairest way of judging. The duties durin
ihe first period were as follows ; on French wines \\s. 5<
per gallon ; Madeira, Is. %d. ; Portugal, 7s. Id, ; Spanisl
ls.ld.\ Rhenish, 9s Ad. During the second period, th
duties were reduced on the foregoing wines to 75. 3d
4s.l0e/., 45. 10<2., 45.10(2., 4s. lOd., and according to gc
neral principles the revenue ought to have increased: if th
duty on tea had been lowered, and the revenue had no
increased, the tocsin of alarm would soon have beei
sounded.

NET REVENUE RECEIVED FROM WINE IN GREAT BRITAIN.
Yean. Revenue. Years. Revenue. Years. Revenue.
1814. .2,032,840/. 1815. .2,095,299/. 1816. . 1,610,299/

1824. . 1,967,953/. 1825. . 1,815,053/. 1826. . 1,270,118/

t3.^}-. 64,877/.

280,246/.

340,181/.

Years. Revenue.
181 7.. 2,023,072/.
1827.. 1,426,550/.

Years. Revenue.
1818. .2,241,380/.
1828.. 1,506,122/.

Decreasing "Revenue,,. ^^T^VJOl,

735,258/.

In the above table it will be observed there is a steady
progressive decrease to the revenue; it remains to be
seen, but it is to be hoped, and may indeed be expected
that the present scale of wine duties will have a beneficial
effect in checking this decrease.

As a matter of curiosity I will refer to the consumption
of another article, which exhibits the deplorable effect of
high duties.

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Home consumption of Glass.

Flint and Plate Glass. Broad Glass. Glass Bottles.

CWTS. CWTS. CWT8.

Four years, to 1793. . . .190,000 90,000 881,000

Four years, to 1825* . . 167,000 34,000 697,000

PMrMiedeofMumption.... 28,000 56,000 184,000!

I will glance at the revenue derived from a few other
sources; it will be perceived that in the following item,
there has been a decrease for five years : —

Revenue from Stamps.

1828 7,317,609/. 1831 6,605,000/.

1829 7,317,819/. 1832 6,500,000/.

1830 7,248,083/.

lu the post-office department I find that notwithstanding
the increased intelligence, population and wealth of the
people, and the great facilities for intercourse which has
taken place within the last few years, yet the revenue
from the post-office was : —

In 1812 . . 1 ,400,000/. | 1830 .. 1 ,358,000/.
1828.. 1,400,000/. I 1831.. 1,391,000/.

Such is the efiect of high duties, which will be also
apparent in the following object of taxation.

Net Revenue from Marine Insurances.
In 1814. 418,000/.. 1825. 371,000/., and in 1826. 199,000/.

But it has been said that the staple articles of other
countries have lessened in price, why should not tea do so
likewise? This observation I have demonstrated to be
incorrect in the previous pages referring to sugar, cofiee,
&c.t I will now refer to the Indian article of Indigo ; in
which there is the fullest competition, so much so that of
late years the agents in Bengal, have contracted all their
advances to the Indigo planters, and there is, I believe,
a mere nominal duty on the article.

* The consumption of flint glass has increased since 1825, in con-
8e<|a^nce of the duty having heen lowered, but the consumption of the
oth^ kinds is very little augmented.

t The deerea$e in the whole revenue between 1831 and 1832
is 4^015,OOOAl

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Average Pmces* of Iin>i6o ton St± Ysars.

Fine B^ngaL Oidinajy Bengal.

1815-16 & I8I7. . 7s. Od. to lOtf. 4d. 4s. M. to 6#. Sd.
18^-M & 1827. . I is. 2d. to 12«. Sd. 69. Sd. to 9s. Od.

Increased Price . . 3«. lOd. to 2#. 4€f. Is, 1 1^. to 29. 2if.

I do not think the foregoing requires comiiienty I will
therefore give one more statement, namely, the price of
rice in London, during the last few years, which will also
be found to have increased in price within the last ten
years, notwithstanding the cheapness of the article ia
India, and the necessity which nmny vessels were under
of quitting Bengal in ballast for want of freight.

Price o9 Rice in Ixmtdon.
1820. 1822. 1824.

Per cwt. 9^. to 12^. 9s. to I2s. ISs. to 229.

1826. 1828. 1830.

Per cwt. 149. to 189. 159. to I89. I69. to 2O9.

It must be admitted that the foregoing facts relatiye to
sugar, coffee^ wine, tobacco, indigo, rice, spirits, &c«
completely disprove Mr. Crawfurd's allegation that the
East India Company make the people of England, **pay a
double price for a certain necessary of life (^!) called tea,
and put them on a short allowance of such necessary:^* and
also that the string of charges against the Company's " mo-
nopoly** viz. '' as a tax costly in the collection beyond any
other**! — ^'Mnjurious to industry," '^ detrimental to the
moraU and comforts of the people,'* '* unproductive in a
fiscal view," " uncertain in amount*' ! and " yearly falling
off*' ! ! ! Every one of these allegations I have demon-^
strated to be most unfounded.

To dilate on the subject would be supererogatory,
I shall therefore close this branch of the subject by giving
the following return of the quantity of tea retained for
home consumption during the last ten years ; from which
it will be seen that there has been a steady progressive
increase every year, although the Oovernment most impru-

• Derived from the London Price Carrent; as given in a work on
the Commerce of Great Britain.

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dently raised the already heavy duty of 96 per cent., 4 per
cent, more, notwithstanding the lowenng of the duty on
coflee, and the consequent diminished cost of the article,
which has tended so much to extend the taste for that
beverage

Mi. Crawfurd,in his pamphlet on the " Chinese Mono-
poly Examined/' gives the following table of the quantity
of tea sold by the East India Company for ten years.

1819 26,960,287 lbs. 1824 28,467,160 lbs.

1820 26,095,234 1825 29,433;21l

1821 28,024,362 1826 29,279,613

1822 27,599,866 1827 29,687,856

1823 27,632,044 1828 30,138,217

Total 135,411,803 lbs. Total 147,006,057 lbs.

First five years 135,411,803 lbs.

Last five years 147,006,057 lbs.

Increased sale 11,584,254 lbs.

It is indeed to be hoped that such powerfully convincing
arguments as these figures afford will have their proper
weight with the nation, and that it will award to the East
India Company the credit to which that body are so emi-
nently entitled.

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CHAPTER II.

The British public have been repeatedly told, and b
none more boldly than Mr. Crawfurd, that it is onl
requisite to destroy the East India Company, and im
mense wealth must immediately flow into England frot
China; that we may clothe one hundred and fifty million
of Chinese with cottons and woollens (Vide Mr. Craw
furd*s evidence before the Commons, p. 351), that th
Chinese are an eminently social, intelligent, active, com
mercial people (Vide do.) very fond of foreign trade, am
engaging extensivjely in it (Vide do.) Now let th<
public hear what Mr. Crawfurd thought before he becam(
a ^'disinterested*^ opponent of the East India Company
In the year 1830, Mr. Crawfurd, in the pamphlet before
referred to, sneers in no set terms against the Quarterly
Review for describing the Chinese as *' very unsocial,^
and then proceeds to say, that it is the East India Com
pany, not the Chinese Government, who have restrictec
foreign importation^ into China. Such being Mr. Craw-
furd's opinion in 1830, let us see what it was in 1820
while there was every inducement to state the real fact:
of the case.

Mr. Crawfurd's Opinions of the Chinese, in 1820.

" The Chinese are indeed a jealous and unsocial people
and are far from having arrived at that point of civilizatioi
when men are prompted^ by their passion for gain^ to get ric
of some share of their antipathy to strangers, and ti
perceive the benefits of a foreign commerce^ ! page 169,
Indian Archiplago. Loudon, 1820.

" Their extensive empire extends over so many climes
containing necessarily such various productions^ easily diS'
trihuted throughout by an ea^tensive inland navigation, thai
they stand apparently in little need of foreign com-
merce. Other causes contribute. The sea-coast of China

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is small in proportion to the urea of the country, and to tlie
population ; it is dangerous to navigate/' &c. p. 169.

Again,

** The Government of China ewpressesy therefore, an

AVOWED HOSTIUTY TO FOREIGN COMMERCE AND TOLERATES
IT, RATHER TBAN PROTECTS IT ! ! ! "

Again,

" The Indian Islands* trade they are least jealous of :
it brings them productions on which they put a real value,
and the weakness of those with whom it is carried on,
disarms them of all political jealousy," p. 169.

I cannot avoid quoting a few more of Mr. Crawfurd's
opinions on these subjects ten years ago, when he had ail
his recollections fresh about him, and the free trade em-
porium of Sincapore (which no one admires the wisdom
of Sir S. Raffles in establishing, more than the writer of
these pages), was not able to drive from his head the
actual facts of the case, as they presented themselves to
his then unbiassed imagination.

Mr. Crawfurd's Opinion of the Hong Monopoly.

" Whatever be the foreign trade conducted by the subjects
of China, the invariable practice of the Government is to place
it in the hands of a few individuals, who become answerable
that it shall be conducted under all the restrictions and con*
ditions required bylaw'* Indian Archipelago, p. 170.

The next extract I shall make is peculiarly applicable
to the present period, when a party are strenuously calling
out for forcing a free-trade with China, and that party
being Mr. Crawfurd*s, I trust they will weigh well his
opinions, when he advises them " to submit to what thej/
cannot change, and to make the best of our situation;^* if
not^ as Mr. Crawfurd said in 1820, we shall have " to pay
an expensive tax for our restless ambition ; " but I had
better quote the passage entire, it will perhaps be at-
tended to by some members of the legislature, who deem
Mr. Crawfurd's opinions infallible.

'* The irrevocable edicts of the Chinese Government, by
confining our trade to a single port, forbid freedom of inter^
csurse with the tea districts ; the cost of conducting it by a
more circuitous and expensive channel is the tax we pay

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roR OUR RESTLESS AMBITION, ttu amhiHon which has com"
pelled a numerous^ and industrious people^ who once freely
admitted us into all their ports, to place us under limitations.
It remains for us only to submit to what we cannot change

TO MAKE THE BEST OF OUR SITUATION V &€. p. 528.

Such were Mr. Crawfurd's uninfluenced opinions, when
he was not a well-paid patriotic advocate against the
Company ; let the impartial reader compare them with
those he now utters with such an oracular dignity, that
it might be thought no one understood the bearings of
an intricate commerce, but himself. Laying aside for
the moment his pamphlets and parliamentary evidence, I
turn to the Edinburgh Review for January, 1831, in
which I find an article of Mr. Crawfurd's 66 pages long
(!) which may be viewed as a concentration of all the
venom that had been concocted since 1827. At page
302, he says, **it is a radical mistake to suppose that no
commerce can be carried on with the Chinese except through
the port of Canton /'*

It fortunately happens for Mr. Crawfurd's first ex-
pressed opinion, that the Americans, whose keenness
and sagacity for discovering new places for commerce
have never been surpassed, indeed I might assert, equalled:
that these enterprising traders, whose commercial spe-
culations have led them even to the harbour of Bembat^k
in Madagascar, where they are engaged four months in
the year slaughtering cattle, and drying several thousand
tons of meat in the sun, for exportation to the Havannah,
and other places, — that they have not yet discovered
the " radical mistake" : and that the Spaniards, notwith-
standing the proximity of their settlement at Manilla,
and their nominal privilege of trading at Amoy^ that
they also have not found out this " radical mistake /^

The next passage in the Edinburgh Review which I
shall quote, is quite the antipode of Mr. Crawfurd's de-
liberately expressed opinions in his work on the " Indian
Archipelago," and which I have before given, wherein
he describes the Chinese as a *' jealous and unsocial peo-
ple, — in a great measure independent of foreign European
commerce, — and not having as yet reached that point in

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civilization when '^some share of antipathy to strangers" is
overcome, for the sake of pecuniary profit. But since the
foregoing was penned and published, a new light has shed
its rays over Mr. C's judgment, and he has now discovered
that " whatever peculiarities may attach to the Chinese,

AN ANTIPATHY TO COMMERCE OR TO STRANGERS is

not one of them.^' The late proceedings at Canton de-
monstrate most unequivocally, that they feel themselves
perfectly independent of our commerce, |and the former
threat of " stopping the trade" has had no effect in
lessening the grievous and insulting regulations to which
they subject all foreigners, whether incorporated or single.
In this instance also, the public will see that Mr. Craw-
fiird's^rs^ expressed opinion was true, and that the lat-
ter is most positively contradicted by painful experience.
At pages 315 and 306 of the Review, I find the two
following expressions, which are also in direct variance
with the heretofore declared opinions of the writer, as
above given, and nullified by another quotation from the
"Indian Archipelago,'* which I shall place in juxta
position : — ^ ^

Mr. Crawfurd's Opinions in 1830.

** All that the Company and its ad-
vocates have said about the monopoly
being necessary, because of the pecu-
liar nature of the Chinese character
and institutions, falls to the ground ;
it has been proved to be destitute even
of the shadow of a foundation.'' — ^Edin-
burgh Review, page 306.

Again : — " JSvery assertion put for-
ward by the Company has been dis-
proved. All their fables about the
difficulty of carrying on an intercourse
with so * peculiar' a race as the Chi-
.nese, have vanished like * the baseless
fabric of a vision.' And it appears
that the only real difficulty in the
way of the most extensive intercourse
with the Chinese and the neighbouring
nations, is their own (the Company's,
I presume Mr. Crawfurd means, though

Mr. Crawfurd's
Opinions in 18'20.
*.* The perpetual
fear which the mono-
poly companies (i. e.
the East India Com-
pany) are in of losing
so valuable an immu'
nity as that of trading
with China, is the
cause of a nicety of
conduct on their part
in their intercourse
with the Chinese r —
Crawfurd's *' Indian
Archipelago,'* p. 248.
*' The government of
China expresses an
hostility to foreign
commerce, and tole-
rates, rather than pro-
tects it !!*' — /c?m,

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the expression bears the interpretation page 169.
of its referring to the Chinese) oppres- ^' The Chinese are
siye privileges." — Idemy page 315. indeed a jealous and

unsocial people !!!"—
Idemy page 169.

It may be permitted to ask Mr. Crawfurd which of tbese
statements be is desirous the public should believe to be
true ; for« notwithstanding the opinion that he evidently
entertains of their gullibility^ he can scarcely expect them
to credit both ?

His Majesty's ministers, at the present crisis^ will derive
perhaps comfort from the annexed passage in the Edin-
burgh, in which Mr. Crawfurd informs them that *' even
were the Chinese government hostile to foreign commerce,
which they are not, they are without the means of putting a
stop to it, or even of subjecting it to any very serious diffi-
culties.*^ pp. 593. The British free traders at Canton (!)
hold quite a different opinion from Mr. Crawfurd, whose
self-sufficient dogmas are unsupported by a local know-
ledge of China, or personal experience in trade. A re-
monstrance was presented in July last to the Foo-yuen
and Hoppo at Canton, by the British merchants not in
the Compantfs service, complaining most bitterly against
the trade regulations enforced by the Canton authorities
and sanctioned by the Emperor of China ; — in this re-
monstrance,t the merchants state, that *' the Chinese
government regulations are directly contrary to justice and
moral Jitness,dind are so subversive of commerce as actually to
strike at the very basis on which it is founded, viz. reciprocal
wants, reciprocal advantages, and equal freedom.^* A little
further on these merchants proceed to observe, without
paying any regard to the pledged and all but sworn to
opinions of Messrs. Crawfurd, Whitmore, Buckingham,
and Co., that " the whole tenor of the regulations is unjust,
and highly offensive to the feelings of foreigners ;" — that '^it
is impossible to submit to the proposed code ; — that " they are
justly entitled to protection for themselves and their property ;"

* He does not know, I suppose, that they effectually stopped the
trade in Admiral Drury^s case,— at the Topaze disturbance, and with
the Americans.

t Printed in the sixth chapter.

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•^that '' the Hong merchants have not the power to protect
them:** — that '* they may be compelled to resort to the old
and troublesome custom of bringing up armed sailors for
their safety /" — ^that they are obliged to congregate " in
bodies of more than one or two, for protection against the
violence of the police officers and soldiers, who have the
audacity to attack those seeking justice with abuse, and even
blows !*^ and we find that the British unincorporated mer-
chants at Canton ** protest and appeal to the Emperor against
the adoption of rules which would certainly make life misera-
ble and property insecure !!!** These are melancholy truths
for Mr. Crawfurd et id genus omne, who have abused and
vilified every person who dares to say a word about diffi^
culty in carrying on commerce with the Chinese. But
before I say more on this subject, I cannot help adverting
to a point which is thrust before the public in all Mr.
Crawfurd'ft Protean writings, whether in the Edinburgh or
Westminster reviews, the East India Magazine, the Specta-
tor }0\ixm\, or the Times newspaper, in all which publica-
tions this active partizan endeavours to delude the nation :
the point to which I refer is the Company's establishment
at Canton ; an establishment which is paid at the mode-
Fate rate of two per cent, on their commerce, while the
private merchant generally charges five per cent., often
more ! In the Edinburgh Review and in every other pos-
sible publication, Mr. Crawfurd holds up the Company's
servants at Canton as a set of gentlemen who are paid high
salaries **for doing next to nothing,^* and who ** after living
for a dozen years in luxurious idleness at Canton or Macao ,
return to England with overgrown fortunes, wrung from the
pockets of the tea drinkers /" — Edinburgh Review, pp. 289.
Before I give the opinions of the British residents at
Canton on this poinl^ and where, as I said before, Mr.
Crawfurd has neoer been, it may be observed, that a gen-
tleman, after a liberal collegiate education in England,
proceeds to Canton, where he resides for ^ovA, fourteen
years with but little pecuniary advantage, subject to daily
insults, and even with his " life endangered," or rendered
''miserable,'' as the British merchants before quoted state;
— the morning of existence is spent in studying a Ian-

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guage of most difficult attainment» — secluded from female
society^ — banished from the cmlized world, and confined
for months and months within the walls of a house, without
any hope of realizing an independence sufficient to return
to Europe with under, at least, less than twenty-Jive years^
misery ! But let the public hear what those English mer-
chants who are now residing at Canton, not in the Com-
pany*s service, say on this topic, in their petition to the
House of Commons against the suffisrings they are enduring
in China, which petition was presented by Sir Robert Peel
in June last.

" It is unnecessary to occupy the time of your Honourable House, by dwell-

lal and national loss, arising from this oppresuve and ci

tng to the conduct of the Chinese authorities, resp
hrown in the way of intercourse with foreigners.] It <
place to enter into a detail of the many studied indi^
heaped upon foreigners by the acts of this Government » and by contumelious

ing on tne indiviauai ana national loss, arising from tnis oppressive and corrupt
system. [Referring to the conduct of the Chinese authorities, respecting
the impediments thrown in the way of intercourse with foreigners.] It would
be equally out of place to enter into a detail of the many studied indignities
heaped upon foreigners by the acts of this Government » and by contumelious
•diets placarded on the walls of their very houses, representing them as addicted
to the most revolting crimes, with no other object than to stamp them in the eyes
of the people as a barbarous, ignorant, and depraved race, every way inferior

to tlie mosl revolting crimes, with no other object than to stamp them in the eyes
of the people as a barbarous, ignorant, and depraved race, every way inferior
to themselves, thereby exciting the lower orders to treat them with habitual

insolence. Suffice it to say, that no privation or discomfort is too minute to
escape notice , in the pursuit of this ever present purpose. Free air and exercise
are curtailed, by precluding access to the country, or beyond the confined streets
in the immediate vicinity of their habitations. Even the sacred ties of domestic
life are disregarded, in the separation of husband and wife, parent and child,
rendered unavoidable by a capricious prohibition against foreign ladies residing
in Canton, for which there appears to be no known law, and no other authority
than the plea of usage."

I question very much, whether Mr. Crawfurd would
exchange his splendid residence in Regent-street, with
his 1500/. a year, clerks, &c., for a residence o{" luxurious
idleness^' as lie terms it at Canton, and twenty or thirty
years separation from his wife and children ! A taste of
such " luxuries" as the petition describes would cure him
of insensate vituperation for twelve months. As so much
has been said relative to the expense, and inutility, of
the factory at Canton, nay even of their throwing impe-
diments in the way of British and American free-traders*
it becomes a duty to look more narrowly into the subject.
I shall first give the opinions of the free-merchants
before mentioned, as declared in their petition to Par-
liament in 1831.

" Your petitioners consider it a duty which they owe to truth and Justice to
declare to your Honourable House, that they attribute the evils which have

« Vide Mr. Crawfurd in the Edinbtirgh Heview, p.p. 295 et passim

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fi5

been emtmerated to the nature and character of the Chinese Goyemment, and
not to anif want of proper sprit and firmness in the agents of the East India
Company, who hare on ▼arioas occasions opposed effetiual resistance to numy
of them, which could not have been attemjied by individuals pursuing their
separate nterests, and not connected by any bond of union. The servants of
the Company have insisted on being heard by the Government, and have
maintained the right of addressing it in the Chinese language, when that has
been denied to other foreigners. Privileges have thus been repeatedly gained,
and the most serious eviU averted, ! "

Such is the manly and candid testimony of British
merchants residing in China, whose importations amount
in value to about sixteen million of dollars annually !

The British merchants still further to^mark their sense
of the advantages, derivable from the East India Com-
pany's factory at Canton, forwarded a copy of their peti-
tion to the Select Committee, soliciting their " co-ope-
ration/' to which the following answer was returned,
which will demonstrate whether the Company are justly
entitled to the opprobrious language heaped on them in
this country, but which their fellow-subjects abroad have so
justly repudiated as calumnious and false.

^' To William Jardioe, Esq., and the British subjects resident in China
whose names are subscribed to the petition to the House of Commons.

" We beg to acknonrledge the receipt of your letter accompanying a copy of
the petition addressed by you to the House of Commons entreating the inter-
position of the legislature for redress of those grievances and oppressions, to
which you are subjected by the Government of this country.

" The amelioration of the condition of the British subjects in China has ever
ken the earnest desire of the repi esentatives of the East India Company, It is
too intimately connected with their own immediate respectability and interests to
have been otherwise, [This was uttered to persons who felt conscious of its
truth.] It is a subject which can never be remote from our anxious consider
ration, and it is to us a source of agreeable reflection that such privileges and
immunities as have been gained, or preserved, are attributable, net so much to
any merits or exertions of its servants, as to the existence of a powerful and
influential body, independently of its commercial transactions, known to po3>
sess the Government of one of the largest empires in Asia, and which, in the
absence of any other diplomatic interference with Great Britain (and that
interference has been tried and failed), has, we believe, afforded the only
effectual means of resisting the innovations and oppressions to which foreign
commerce with China is unceasingly exposed.

** We have felt it our duty to forward to the Court of Directors a copy of
your petition to Parliament, accompanied with our opinion on the leading
subjects to which it has reference.

'* We are, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servants.
(Signed) Charles Majoribanks,

J. F. Davies.
J. N. Daniell.
Canton, 3rd, January, 1831. T. C. Smith."

Although it might be considered unnecessary to say
one word more on this head, yet as the establishment of
the Company's factory at Canton, is scarcely sufficiently

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appreciated in England, and has been shamefully vilified,
I shall quote a few other testimonies in its favour, more
particularly as tbey tend to shew the risk run in des-
troying an influence, which is universally admitted by
all who have had any experience on the subject, as being
invariably exerted for the benefit of foreign commerce.

Walter Stevenson Davidson, Esq., a free English mer-
chant who resided for twelve years in China, and carried
on an extensive commerce, gave in the following im-
portant testimony to the Parliamentary Committee, as to
the merits of the East India Company and their factory
at Canton ; the candid evidence of this gentleman, will
be the better estimated on hearing that he was subject
to the restrictions which the Company's charter sanc-
tions, and hence resided at Canton and Macao as a
naturalized Portuguese; he, however, had too much good
sense not to discriminate between immunities conferred
on an incorporated association for the benefit of the
public, and those which are granted for private ad-
vantage.

Mr. Davidson says, " he would be exeeedingly sorry to
settle in Canton, but for the power of the Company to pro-
feet the commerce he conducted :^^ that "m common with
all foreigners, he derived advantages from the circumstance
of a powerful body like the East India Company possessing
important influence in consequence of their great character,
and extensive trade \^ that *^he considers the influence
of the Company a most valuable counterpoise to the
Hong;^* that *^ had it not been for the existence of the
East India Company the British trade could not be carried
on;** that ^* the exactions^ opposition and injustice of the
Chinese government are so great, that no individual would
be fool-hardy enough to send his property on shore in that
country, but from a knowledge that a body like the East
India Company is there to countenance it.''

The testimony of this witness is of the utmost import-
ance, because of his decided advocacy of free trade prin-
ciples, and from his extensive local experience, as a
British free merchant, in China ; whereas, Messrs. Cravr-
furd, Rickards, Buckingham, &c. have never visited that

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country, and yet they elevate themselves as the sole
guides for the legislature to follow the advice of: — and
here let me inquire, what are the qualifications of those
gentlemen to form an opinion on a subject of such deep
interest to the whole nation, and which the public are
now madly called on to risk, by men who, I fear, can be
viewed in no other light than as trading or political
agitators, and who, whatever may be the purity of their
motives, must, so far as their public actions are concerned,
be judged of by the part they have followed on this intri-
cate subject. Mr. Rickards went to Bornbay, in 1789,*
as a writer, and filled several subordinate situations in the
revenue line; was afterwards private secretary to Mr.
Duncan, successively a commissioner in Malabar, chief
secretary at Bombay, collector at Malabar, and member
of council, never was in China, and has not been in India
these twenty years ! No reasoning individual will put Mr.
Rickards' speculative opinions in competition with Mr.
Davidson's practical experience, who first visited China, in
1807, resided there afterwards for twelve years, and
carried on a most extensive commerce; as I purport
quoting some more of Mr. Davidson's evidence, I will
pass on to the consideration of what weight is due to
Mr. Crawfurd's hypotheses, first observing, that Mr.
Rickards has a direct personal interest in destroying the
present system of carrying on the China trade, for he is
now engaged in Eastern commerce and agency, and with
the extensive mercantile house of Dent and Co. at Canton;
his evidence must, therefore, be received on the China
question cam grano salis ; as respects the revenue custoii!
of the part of India in which he resided, no person is
entitled to more deference than Mr. Rickards, and the
liberality of his views, as respects the Hindoos, command
for him the esteem of all men, who have the happiness of
their fellow creatures at heart. Mr. Crawfurd went out
to India as an assistant-surgeon in the Company's service,
was employed in various capacities in several parts of the
East, uas never engaged in trade, and never visited China !
To this gentleman a good deal of merit is to be attached
• Mr. Rickards* evidence before the Lords, p. 622.

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for the siatiBtical details he has collected, respecting the
Indian Archipelago,* and the unbiassed opinions which he
formed on the China trade, while residing at Sincapore,
offer, when contrasted with his present sentiments (not
expressed before the Parliamentary committees, but in
anonymous, irresponsible pamphlets, in the Edinburgh
Review, See. &c. &c.)' & melancholy proof of the frailty of
human nature, and the effects of pecuniary interests over
an intelligent mind. Even if Mr. Crawfurd possessed a
local or practical knowledge of the China trade, the very
situation he is now filling must make the public narrowly
scrutinize his writings, and the motives which give rise to
them. As I before said, Mr. Crawfurd by means of the
firm of Messrs. Palmer and Co. at Calcutta, was ap-
pointed a Parliamentary agent in this country, with the
munificent salary of 1500Z.t a year, and extras, for
the purpose of opposing the Calcutta Stamp Act ;
that opposition proved futile; Mr. Crawfurd's, like
Othello's, occupation was '^ gone^^ until he took up
the new business of enlightener-general of the British
public on the China trade, by which the continuance of
his salary from a few agency houses in Calcutta was se-
cured with allowances, &c. from Liverpool. Having
passed the Rubicon of conciliation, and flung aside all
remembrance of nineteen years' kindness from the East
India Company, he has, like many men, indulged in a
torrent of abuse and invective, and is now irrecoverably
pledged as a political partizan, who must sink or swim
with his cause. Surely, no reliance on assertions unsup-
ported by the most positive facts can be given to Mr.
Crawfurd, who has ceased to be regarded as a disinterested
witness. Respecting Mr. Buckingham, very few words
heed be said. He also has never been in China, or engaged
in trade ; he is a pledged political partizan, as well as
Mr. Crawfurd, with the most hostile feelings against the
East India Company on personal grounds, and aware that
bis only chance for again elevating himself above the
capricious freaks of fortune, is by holding out promises

• Partly gleaned from Millburn's "Oriental Commerce."
t Vide Mr. Crawfurd's evidence in the CobudoqS; p. 4S^,

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to the manufacturers of Sheffield, &c. which there is not
the slightest probability of being realised^ but in the natural
order of things which the revolutions of time produce. I
believe Mr. Buckingham to be a well-meaning man, as I
know him to be an enthusiast and a highly-intelligent
individual, as regards the countries he has visited ; but
with respect to the China trade, he is, in common with
Mr. Rickards and Mr. Crawfurd, as incompetent to form
an opinion as a person who never quitted the British shores.
Such are the evidences by which the Imperial Parliament
is called on to annihilate an association, by a simple ne-
gative, whose transactions are of a magnitude and intricacy
beyond those of the United Kingdom, as a few figures
will demonstrate.

Pecuniary Concerns of the East India Company since
THE LAST Renewal of their Charter.*
East India Company's gross receipts and

disbursements since 1814 £478,103,911 !!!

r Civil Establishments . . £l 17,606,336

Disbursements 1 Military, .do 137,253,467

in India. ] Interest on Indian Debt 24,051,666
( St. Helena 1,362,256

£280,273,725 aerling.

Remitted to Eng-l

land by the > Through India since 1814. .£ 12,920,937
Company. j Through China. . . .do 11,417,113

£ 24,338,050

Tea duties paid into the British Exchequer
by the East India Company since the last
renewal of their charter £63,745,324 ! t

Sale amount of India investments from 1814

to 1828 £27,109,120

Sale amount of China investments for do 56,140,981

£83,240,101 1

* Up to the latest period at which the several accounts can be
made up.
t At the small annual charge of ten thousand pounds a year !
t This sum is now upwards of (me hundred million sterlitig ///

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Opiam and private trade between India

and China £51^000,000 sterlinf

To the foregoing enormous sums may be
appended accnmulations of fortunes re-
mitted to England from India and China,
and allowances for families resident
here £18,000,000 sterling

If to these vast considerations be added the fact o
1,180,000 square miles of territory, and one hmidred am
twenty mxllion of souls, directly or indirectly dependan
on, or subject to the sway of the East India Company
an idea may be formed of the immense interests involvec
in the Company's charter ; and the reader will scarcely
think that I can be too minute in my statements, o
too strenuous in my efforts to expose the sophistries
and untruths which have unblushingly been palmed on thi
British public, to an extent which can only be ac
counted for by the parties making them being well aware
that the nation at large are not conversant with Indiai
affairs, and according to the opinion of profligate states
men, a bold, straightforward lie will often serve the pur
pose of the moment, before its detection can be made !

I have been led into a digression from Mr. David
son*s e;camination before the House of Lords and th(
House of Commons on this, I may call it, paramount!)
important topic, but I now resume the detail of the
manly evidence of this unprejudiced witness, whose de-
clarations of facts are worth a million of the crude theo-
ries pompously put forth by the opponents of the besi
interests of the nation ; for as matters now stand, and ir
the present state of Europe, they are identified with the
continued existence of the East India Company, sub-
ject to such modifications as the spirit of the age may,
with safety to all parties, carefully adopt.

Mr. Davidson was asked, " what were the exactiom
which the Chinese government attempted to carry into
effect, and which the East India Company successfully
resisted ?" The answer is worthy of particular attention ;
it demonstrates the power which, as I said in my preface,
a combination of wealth and talent is capable of exert-

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ing for the general weal ; it is a realization of the fable
of the bundle of rods/ which, united were strong, but
single weak. " In the year 1814 the Chinese government
attempted to make the Hong monopoly more close than it
had ever been before: and had not the East India Com-
panj/*s authority resisted upon that occasion, it is impossible
to say the lengths to which the Chinese would have gone,
in taxing both the imports and exports at their own ca«
pricious pleasure, and consequent li/, in diminishing the pro-
Jits and increasing the hazard of private individuals /"
The power of the East India Company broke up ano-
ther combination in 1819, which had .been entered into
by the manufacturers of black tea, the annual purchase
of which is about 1,600,000/. sterling ; the manufactu-
rers endeavoured to carry their point by union and per-
severance, but were met by the East India Company in
as decisive a manner; for on the 2*2nd of December,
the factory in full consultation, resolved to ** convince
the Chinese that the apprehension of the expense and
inconvenience to which the Company were exposed by
the detention of their ships, should not induce- them
to swerve from the resolutions they had deemed it right
to form, or by conceding to the attempted innovations,
permit a system to be established, which it would
hereafter be out of their power to subvert.*'' * Tire select
committee moreover stated, ** we consider the terms pro-
posed, and the threats held out by this body to be so
perfectly inadmissible, that any alternative is preferable to
submission.'*

The result of this firmness was, that the manufactu-
rers' combination was destroyed on the 11th of Ja-
nuary, and thus the general interests of Great Britain
were promoted by an incorporated body of merchants,
which single could never have acccomplished it. Mr.
Davidson says at page 832, that " the Company* s factory
resisted firmly, vigorously, and successfully, many grievances:
the Chinese attempted to take away our servants ; at one
time they resisted the valuable right of communicating in the

* Canton Consultations in 1819.

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Chinese language, which the East India Company gained
after a great battle ; thet/ attempted, I think, to prevent
the passage of letters from Macao to Canton ; they ex-
acted fees on trifling articles of baggage at Cantofi^ am-
so forth.^^ The next answer of Mr. Davidson's which ]
shall quote is eminently deserving of consideration, par-
ticularly at the present moment : the query was, what
other advantages were derived from the existence of the
East India Company at Canton ?

*^ In the past and present state of non-intercourse (says Mr
Davidson) between the government of this country and that of China
it would be truly hazardous and raah for any British merchant to setth
there, and trust his property in the hands of such an unjust and ex-
tortionate government, without any protecting power to look up to ;
and, therefore, so long as the present state of things e^ist in China,
I conceive the East India Company is a mott ffaluable protection to alt
Britith interesit; their fleet visiting China every season, consisting of
about twenty ships efficiently equipped, and the influence of their
resident servants both from the excellent character they have generally borne,
and the large extent of property always under their charge, having
enabled the British factory to bestow great benefits on indivu^ British
traders, as well as on other foreign traders ! "

This is the factory which Mr.Crawfurd describes in the
Edinburgh Review as " neither more nor less than a conve*
nient device for enriching the sorts, brothers and near relatives
of the Court of Directors,*^ — being so well paid *'for
doing — next to nothing ; at least the American ships* cap^
tains do all that our super-cargoes do, and do it irifinitel^
better ! " The impudent assertions of this man are really
intolerable. In the next line of the Edinburgh Review,
he proceeds to say, '' that so flagrant an abuse should have
been tolerated for so long a period is indeed astonishing: but
it will be far more astonishing should its existence be pro-
longedy On his second examination before the Lords^
Mr. Davidson stated, that he thought the existence of the
East India Company, as a trading company at Canton, af-
fojded facilities in the greatest degree for remittances to India
or to Europe; and at page 842, that " if the Chinese Hong
monopoly be continued with an open trade to this country,
it will always be getting worse and more vexatious,*^ and
that ^* without a previous understanding between the turn
governments^ he sees no salvation for an open trade, in the
absence of the power and political influence of the East India

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Cofiipany' Such are the lindiisguised sentiments of a
free trade adrocate, who thinks that nothing but force of
anus will ever procure better terms for us in China,
than those we now enjoy. At page 843, he states, ''I
resided some years in Chiiia conducting a large business;
I have visited all the East India Company^s presidencies
in India, and I can with truth, as I do with pleasure bear
the strongest testimony to the liberal manner in which their
go'oetnment is conducted. During my whole residence in
China, I can with truth say, I cannot call to mind an
instance in which the Gompatiy*'s representatives there.
Lave proved recreant in their sacred duties towards British
trade in general; not even inattentive, far less inimieal to its
interests ! ^ Whether will the B ritish public believe this
English free merchant who has retired upon his fortune,
and has no favour to seek, — or a political adventurer,
who is living on the proceeds of his opposition to the
East India Company ?

I cannot forbear extracting a few pages of Mr. David-
son's testimony before the Commons. At page 320, he
says, ''the influence of the East India Company, who can
and do acf with unity and vigour, forms a counterpoise
of inestimable value against the Hong monopoly, which
individuals could not form. The absence of this counter-
poise would have the direct effect of decreasing the price
given for all the imports, and of increasing the prices de-
manded for all the exports !^ At page 321 Mr. D. thinks
" the disadvantages under the present system both few and
unimportant.** At page 322 he is asked whether the East
India Company's factory had given encouragement and
protection to, or thrown impediments' in the way of, indi-
vidual British merchants in China ? He replied that he
'* never knew the British factory throw a wilfal impedi-
ment in the way of the British trade ; and so long as that
factory should continue to be constituted of the same
materials as it was during his time — that is, of welUeducated,
intelligent^ patriotic^ and honest men — so long will they give
encouragement to that trade.'* As the Englishmen in the
Company's service have been so shamefully calumniated
by Mr. Crawfurd in anonymous pamphlets and under the

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garb of an Edinburgh reviewer or newspaper editor^ when
they were many thousand miles distant, and unable to
repel or chastise the petty malignity of sneering at the
"employisy* the "gentlemen^* of the factory, "all honour'
able men,^^ " pampered servants,^*f '* lucky co^ene/'t 8cc., •
I shall append another testimony to Mr. Davidson's ; it
is that of the Right. Hon. Robert Grant, who, in one of
his recently-published works on Indian affairs, pays the
following just tribute to what he terms "a most meritorious
and a most calumniated bodyJ^

'^ There does not exist in the world an abler set of public function-
aries than the civil servants of the Company ; a set more distinguished
for exercised and enlightened intellect, or for the energy^ purity^ and
patriotism of their public conduct."

And again (147-48) he writes—

^ .... an abler set of functionaries does not exist than the civil
servants of the East India Company."

The opinions of Mr. Canning, Lord Melville, Lord Ei-
lenborough. Lord William Bentinck, and of all men whose
opinions are worth having are equally high as the Right
Hon. Robert Grant's ; and the writer of these pages, while
serving as an officer in his Majesty's service, or residing
as a private individual in the East, would add his humble
testimony, derived from personal observation, that in no
society can there be found a set of men more distinguished
in the aggregate for profundity of talent, patient research^
exalted heroism, comprehensive benevolence, or unyielding
devotion to their country's interests, than are to be found
in the civil and military services of the Honourable East
India Company ; or who have more permanently contri-
buted to extend the glory, augment the wealth, and enlarge
the boundaries of the British empire.

♦Vide Edinburgh Review, No. CIV. p. W. tp.296. I 289.

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CHAPTER III.

There is no portion of this truly important and na-
tional commerce about which more misrepresentation
has been sedulously disseminated, than that which offers
a comparison between the East India Company and
American trade at Canton; the former ^ it is asserted,
being rapidly on the decrease, and the latter as rapidly
on the increase. This is another of the disgraceful false-
hoods which have been put forth to serve the purpose
of the moment, but which it is time should be ex-
posed, as silent acquiescence to serious charges is con-
sidered to imply an admission of their truth.

The statement that the East India Company's trade
was a forced one, and always verging towards decline,
from its earliest period, is too generally believed ; but
how stand the facts of the case ? I will e:^amine their
export and import trade, (exclusive of bullion) for one
hundred years, deriving my figures from a writer that
Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Crawfurd are fond of referring
to : I allude to ^' Millburn on Eastern Commerce, whose
tables are based on parliamentary official documents.

Mbrchandize bxported from England by the East
India Company.
Yean. Period. Amount.

1708. .to. . 1734 years 26 3,064,744/.

1734. . to. . 1766 Ditto, 32 8,434,769/.

Total Number of years . . 68 1 1,501,513/.

1766. .1©. . 1793 years 27 16,454,016

1793. .to. • 1810. . • .Ditto, 17. .... . . .31,060,752

. i Total number of years . . 44 47,514,768/.

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In the foregoing account it will be observed, that during
the first fifty-eight years, the exports by the Company
were kss by one-fourth than what they were in the suc-
ceeding forty-four years ; and in the last seventeen years
the exports were double the amount of what they were in
the preceding twenty-seven years !

Mr. Millburn adds, that from 1800, to 1810, the East
India Company's exports amounted to 21,413,807/. sterling,
'' more than one-half of which consisted of the staple manu-
facture of England, toooUem ! ! **

Merchamdizb imported into Enguotd bt the East
India Company.
Yean. Period. Amount.

1708. . to. . 1734. . . . years 26* • 38,571,709/.

1734. .to. .1766. . . .01^0,32 64,452,377/.

Total number of years, .58 88,024,086/.

1766. .to. . 1703 years 27 101,382,792/.

1793. .to. .1810. . . .Ditto 17 102,737,954/.

Total number of years. .44 204,120,746/.

On a reference to the foregoing two tables it will be
foand, that the Company's exports had increased 124 per
cent., between the first and second periods ; between the
second and third periods there was an increase on the
former of 131 per cent. ; and during the last interval a
further increase of 131 per cent. ! The averages of the
exports were: —

Pint Period. Second Period. Third Period. Fourth Period. From 1800 to 1810.
117,B76/,. ,263,686/,. .909,408/,. ,l>8a7,108/... .2,141,880/.

Before proceeding to comment on the import table,
a few observations are rf^quisite ?i9 regards the export
figures, It ifii asked, why did not the Company continue
their export trade after the removal of the last charter,
when we see that in 1794, the Company exported altogether
goods to the value of 2,9!24,8^9/? The reason is obvious.
Before the throwing op^n of the. trade the East India
Company had begun to lessen their exports to India;
they learned what the Americans have since found out,

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and the free traders still later, that the amount of ex-
ports is not the best criterion of a valuable commerce,
that a UtUe trade with tmaU pr<^t is far better than a great
trade with no profit^ — that by the wild speculations of the
free traders they could purchase in India every species of
British goods under prune cost, without the expense of
freight, insurance, interest, charges, &c. ; stout ** six-quarter
cloths,^* for instance, at one rupee, twelve annas per yard ;
—lead atAa^its positive value; — Newcastle coals at six
annas per mound f!J The free traders furnished the finest
purpets at such a price that during the Burmese war the
cartridge bags for the artillery were actually made from
them* All sorts of metals, cordage, flannels, canvass^
beer — as thousands can testify — did not realise often with
twenty-five and thirty per cent, of the prime cost !* That
the East India Company, as well as the Americans, acted
wisely in withdrawing from this ruinous competition will
be exemplified by looking at the manner in which a few
articles were disposed of, — and it is especially deserving
of notice, that every year since the throwing open the
trade, new advantages have been opened for the free
trader. In the first place, the great stimulus given to
Asiatic commerce by the cessation of a long European
war, when such a quantity of transport shipping was made
available for trade, — the immense productive power of
machinery, — the vast accession of territory, with a popu-
lation of many millions, which has doubled the British
dominions on the continent of Asia, — the quantity of
capital set free from government loans, — the throwing
open of the Malay peninsula, — the new commercial rela-
tions with foreign powers in the Gulph of Persia and to
the West Indies, — the doubling of the East India Compa-
ny's army since the last renewal of the charter, and the
consequent increasing demand for military stores, — the
heavy supplies requisite for expensive wars carried on
during the period, — the advantages which the free traders
derived from having had the way opened for them for
several years by the East India Company, — and, in fine,

* Vide Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay price currents : it would be
a waste of time to quote them.

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the progressive wants of the native community^ for the
supply of whom every possible facility was given by the
Company.* Before proceeding to show the official amount
even of the free trade, let the following table demonstrate
what sort of a profitable business has been carried on for
ten years, during which periods so many hundred persons
engaged in it have become bankrupts, beggaring and
ruining thousands by their fall.

* The following figures will show whether the free trader has, not-
withstanding all these advantages, done so much as had heen antici-
pated. It is but fair to set aside the exportation of cotton goods and
twist, for that branch of commerce was unforeseen by all parties.

Total exports to the East Indies and China in 1828 £5,212,353
Deduct cottons .«..-------- 2,049,890

£3,162,463
Deduct East India Company's exports ... - - £1,098,810

Free trade exports in 1828 - - 2,063,653

East India Company's exports, averaged from 1808 to

1810, by Milburn £2,141,380

Balance in favour of the East India Company, in any
. year from 1810 ! £922;473

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However gratifying the foregoing may be for the
ctoset politiciansy it has proved far otherwise to the
speculators ; look at the price» of the article of spettre.

Year. Per Maund.* Year. Per Maund.

Ia1822 21 rupees In 1826 13 rupees

1823 22 1827 9

1824 16 1828 7

1825 IS 1829 6

Average 18 rupees. Average 9 rappees.

To this statement must be added^ that purchasers at
six. rupees per maund were with great difficulty pro-
cared in 1829^ and there was two or three years stock
on band umakable at emy price! I should like to know
if one member of parliament could be found who would
blame the East India Company for not competing with
the free traders in this or any other of their ruinou& spe-
culations ; if the Company had done so, and they must
have done so at a loss^ Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Crawfurd
would be the very first to re-echo the trite expression of
Lord Grrenville*s. about sovereigns and merchants;, and
the losing commerce which the Company attempt to
carry on. Were, the Company to compete with the ^ee
trader in the article of cotton, goods, at an advance of
ten per cent for several years, and out of that profit (!)
to pay as the free trader had to do, the Calcutta do-
ties,— five per cent agency commission, — two and a half
per cent on remittance retorns to Europe, if in goods,
or one per cent if in bills, — auction dues and charges,
which are extremely heavy in India,-^and added to all
this^ the rupee at Is. lOd. to 2s. instead of as formerly,
2s. 6d. — I ask any n^an possessed of the slightest
practical mercantile knowledge to declare if the Com-
pany would under any circumstances be justified
ia entering into such competition? Look at the article
of woollens in the foregoing table; in 1822 they were
sold in immense quantities in Calcutta at 20 per cent
loss, and in the years 1823-24-25, they would not ab-

* A maund if 82 lbs.

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;«1

solut^ly fetch prime cost, while every auction-room, go-
down, and warehouse wa& literally crammed with them !
What does Mr. Whitraore care for this ?* His cry is
" throw open the China trade, for you see what the free
U'aders have done in Hindostan since that country was
open to them." A little reflection would be sufficient to
teach Mr. Whitm ore that there isno parallel betweenChina
and Hindostan at all applicable to the question ; — that
the one is a portion of the British dominions, and the
other an independent and all but hostile foreign coun*
try ; — that in the one we have thrown millions of manu-
facturers out of employment by forcing on the country
our cheap cottons, See., while the following recent infor-
mation from China will shew what reception our free
traders are likely to meet with there, unless indeed
Kngland be determined to introduce her manufactures at
the point of the hai/onet, fish^if^ been so strenuously ad-
vised of late.

Extract of a Letter from Macao^ dated 2nd April, 1831.

" In two districts in the imraediaie vicinity of Canton, and another
-about twenty miles distant from it, very urioia commotions bave taken
place among the natives, at the ia^oduction of cotton yam. Thej
loudfy complain that it has deprived their women and children, who
bad previously been employed m the spinning of tlnrcad, of the means
of subsistence. They have resolved not to employ the cotton yam jit
tbeir looms, and have expressed their determination to burn any of it,
which may be brought to their villages. These districts are very po-
pulous, and the peoplci as is so generally the case in China, exceed*
mgly industrious.

This account is confirmed bv the Chinese correspondent
of the " Morning Herald/' who thus writes,

** The poor people of the provinces to the north east of Whampoa«.
finding themselves deprived of employment as spinners of cotton, in
consequence of the importfttiomr of foreign oottoo yarn, have stuck
up placards in all the towns and villagjies, threatening instant death
to any Chinese caught purchasing yarn m Canton and bringing it into
their country. This measure has, for the present, so inthmdated the
smsll dealers of Canton, that bu&nesB in thut article is at a stand.*'

• Notwithstanding the Burmese and Bhurtpore wars, iron scarcely
gave remunerating prices for a brief period; copper, from the same
cause, received a temporary support, the quantity of trausport ship-
ping employed being very ^reat, but when the numerous charges of
freight, insurance, commission, customs, warehousing, auction dues,
&:c be considered, some idea may be formed of the dreadful sacri-
ficea made, which caused the appearance of so many India, specula-
tors in the London Gazette.

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SIS

The Chinese are perfectly aware that before the throw-
ing open of the trade, viz. in 1813-14, the cotton manu-
factures exportedfrom India to England amounted in value
to 4,600,000 rupees ; but the export has been gradually
diminishing, until it now is less than 300,000 rupees worth,
and all the native manufacturers, amounting to many
thousands, have been driven even from their own extensive
home market and completely ruined ! The Chinese are
doubtless of opinion that charity begins at home ; and,
however useful it may be to them to take their tea, they
are too cunning to permit the impoverishment of some
millions of their manufacturers, for the purpose of empty-
ing over-stocked warehouses at Manchester, &c. or to
give employment to the steam-engine cotton looms at
Fort Gloucester on the Hoogly, an establishment, by the
bye, which will soon begin to operate strongly against
the home manufacturers.

That Mr. Whitmore and others, who form a comparison
between Canton and Calcutta, may judge more rationally
on the subject, a few more remarks may be offered, illustra-
tive of the absurdity of coming to any conclusion which can
by any possibility place them in a similar light. A large
mercantile house is established at Calcutta, with a branch
in London : The partnership formed of various individuals
— one a retired civil servant of the Company — another a
military man — a third a doctor — and a fourth a Londoa
merchant. They possess no real capital, but establish an
agency and banking business ; receive as deposits the
accumulating fortunes of the East India Company's ser-
vants, and trade on those deposits; — occasionally hot-
rowing at twelve per cent, to pay away again at six per
cent ! Paper money is easily coined ; each agency
house* issues its bank notes, unlimited, except ac-
cording to its own discretion in amount, and thus ready
funds are, if credit be good, always at hand: — ^part*
ners retire to the house in London with nominal large
fortunes, and every thing wears a prosperous appearance.

* I am speaking of the ^* five great agency hoasesy** before the pro-
ject of the ^ Union Bank'' was set on foot.

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Remittances^ however^ must be provided for Europe, and
the deposited money belonging to private individuals is
lavishly expended in the purchase of indigo, &c. ; for this
areturn must also be made from London; the branch part-
ners persuade the over- stocked manufacturers to ship, or
they receive upon credit immense sto^.ks of goods, which
shew well in the export list of the free trade, but which
lie rotting in the godowns of Messrs. — ■ - ■ - ^ and Co.
at Calcutta, or are sold at less than prime cost,* as the
Agency house requires funds for another remittance,
and besides the net produce, is in want of the commission
of five per cent, &c. &c. In fine, this system goes on for
some time,— robbing (Peter to pay Paul, — but a crash
at last comes ; one house fails for 4,000^000/. sterling,
ingulphing all within its terrible vortex, except the
other agency houses, who have had timely warning
to save themselves, or with the instinct of rats, quit a
falling house or sinking ship : — the firm of Messrs.

and Co. is defunct, and after the lapse of two

or three years a dividend of one anna in the rupee is de-
claredt Let Mr. Whitmore inquire, and he will find the
foregoing a true picture of the free trade at Calcutta ; he
will also learn that repeated instances of such trading
have occurred since 1815, — and moreover, that at the
time of the failure of Messrs. Palmer and Co. nothing
saved the other great agency houses in Calcutta, or pre-
Tented a blow-up of the whole system, bat an immediat-
loan by the abused East India Company ofseveral mile-
lion of rupees! The attempt to form a comparison
between Canton and Calcutta will be, therefore, seen to
be ridiculous in the extreme.

Since the foregoing was written, I have received a
valuable work on " the External Commerce of Bengal,'*
dated Calcutta, 1830— and prepared by that distinguished
oriental scholar, Horace Hayman Wilson, Esq., in which

* Best working sizes bar-iron at eight shillings per cwt. ; cordage
at twenty shiiliugs per cwt.; copper, bolt and sheathing, at thirty ru-
pees per maund ; liodgson*s pale ale at twenty rupees per nogs
nead ; claret and champaigne for '* a song ;" and nerishable articles
at a discount of fifty per cent, or quite unsaleaole ! This is free
trade]

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I find among other instances of 'wbat Mr. Wilson aptly
terms '* insane specidations,^^ the fdlowing corroboration
of my former statements.

Ib 1818-19. tbe value of haU inported into Calcutta was 269.000 mpecfe.
Dvhich at 20s, or 10 rapeei a hat, would give 26,900 bats. As the miUtaij
are provided from the pubKc stores, and the natives never wear hats, it may
be oottbted if the hat wearers in Bengal exceed 3,000 persons ; and taking afl
classes, they scarcely average a consumption of more than a hat and a half a
year. The demand, at this rate, would have been 4,500 hats, and the
supply wa$ contBquenSly tiHivly equal to Hs year's consumption ! The iosports
of 182d — 1830, scarcely exceeded in value 29.000 rupees each. ! "

With respect to cotton piece goods Mr. Wilson says,
'Uhe import has been carried to a ruinous extent/ In
1822-3« the value imported was nearly six million six hun-
dred thousand rupees, since which it has fallen to little
more than one-half!*' He also states that 'Hhe selling
prices were commonly 25 to 30 per cent, below the in-
voice rates :*' on cotton twist, ** heavy losses have been
sustained upon the sale, averaging 35 per cent, upon the
invoice cost:'' — that ''English claret which was inn-
ported in 1813-14, to the value of 650,000 rupees, is
reduced to little more than 100^000 rupees!" Again,
*' Madeira lias almost disappeared from the British im-
ports — in 1813-14, it was imported to the value of 900,000
rupees, in 1827-28, it was little more than 100,000 rupees!

The improvident manner in which the free trade was
carried on, will be further exemplified by a return of
the total imports of merchandize into Calcutta at two
intervals, as given in to the late parliamentary committee
by Mr« firacken.

Total Imports of Msrohakdize into Calcutta.

Years. Value. Years. Value.

1816 £5,840,000 1828 £Sj800fiOO

1817 6,850,000 1824 4,040,000

1818 7,620,000 1825 3,600,000

1819 6,650,000 1826 3,400,000

1820 4,520,000 1827 4,150,000

Total . . £80,480,000 Total . . £19,070,000

First 5 years £30^480,000

Second 5 years 19,070,000

Falling off. £21,410,000

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Did tbe wary Americans attempt to oompett^ with £his
extravagant trade ? By no means. Their trade wifK
Calcutta will be best seen by a reference to th« A met
rican tonnage at the port of Calcutta.

American Shipping at Calcutta.

In 1815 8,228 tons In 1823 2,11? tons

1816.. 14,759 .1824 2,209

1817 14,233 1825 5,541

18i8 16,408 1826 1,983

1819., 6,977 1827. 2,788

Total . . 60,695 tons Total . . 14,458 tons

First five years 60,695 tons

Last five years 14,458

Falling off 46,237 tons.

Mr. Wilson says that that the American imports into
Calcutta in 1818-19 were 9,fO0,000 rupees, of Which
9,000,000 were in bullion ! In 1827 they were not much
more than 2,100,000. Of late years the Americans have
been purchasing English manufactures at Calcutta, for
re-exportation, far cheaper than they could buy them m
England!

The tonnage of ships under English colours arriving
at Calcutta will shew how lavishly the trade was first
carried on.

In 1816. . : . . . 117,648 tons In 1825 83,163 tons

1817 138,923 1826 81,814

1818 122,234 1827 97,882

373,805 tons 262,857 tons.*

First three years *. 377,805 tons

Last three ycai*s , . . . 262,859

Falling off. 114,946 tons.

- * The Burmese war assisted the latter period by many thousand
tons, if not, the falling off would have been much more apparent.

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It has been so much the fashion of late to vilify the
East India Company, that I suppose it is even difficult
to get a hearing at all in their behalf: at one moment
their enemies charge them with neglecting to attend to
trade, because they are sovereigns, and at another mo-
ment they are blamed for trading at all, while some
contend that they cannot prosecute any commerce where-
ever the free trader can come in competition with them.
Reserving my reply to these statements to another pe-
riod^ I proceed to give the Company's exports to, and
imports from Calcutta, with Great Britain alone, since the
last renewal of their charter ; the figures will amply demon-
strate whether the charge of neglecting the interests of
British commerce be well or ill founded ; they prove,
in fact, that the Company have left no means untried
to advance the welfare of the English manufacturer.

E. I. Company's Exports from Great Britain to Calcutta

Yean. Rapeei. Years. Rupees. Years. Rupees.

1818. .8,669,646 1818. . 1,088,425 1823. . 1,606,674

1814.. 4,048,258 1819. .2,844,876 1824. .2,875,691

1815. .4,324,221 1820. .8,133,291 1825. .3,228,125

1816. .2,533,892 1821 . .2,618,109 1826. .5,649,431

1817. .2,874,786 1822. . 1,650,716 1827. .8,600,200

Total. .17,450,753 Total. . 12,235,417 Total. . 17,960,121

From the foregoing table it will be seen that during the
middle period, when free trade ran mad, it would have been
the height of insanity of the Company to have continued
their exports to Calcutta ; the latter period equals the first,
and if the free trade can show a similar table, and with
equal profit, it will be well for them ; the table, however,
is sufficient to prove that the Company have not relaxed
in their efforts to promote the sale of the British manu«
factures, whenever they could do so with real benefit to the
manufacturers. I will now examine the East India Com-
pany's imports into London from Calcutta ; and here also
it will be found that the exertions of the Company to ad-
vance British commerce have been very great, and indeed
increasing every year.

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87
E. I. Gompamy's Imports into London from Calcutta.

Years.

Rupees.

Yean.

Rapees.

Yean.

Rupees.

1813..

9,949,143

1818.

. 6,999,443

1823.

.13,466,518

1814. .

6,931,793

1819.

. 9,868,404

1824.

.12,531,364

1815..

5,499,604

1820.

. 9,930,324

1825.

.12,678,980

1816. .

5,603,974

1821.

.20,558,347

1826.

.14,783,540

1817..

9,800,759

1822.

.11,518,555

1827.

.17,537,150

Total . . 36,285,278 Total . . 58,875,178 Total . . 70,998,502

Imports the first five years . . . ... 86,285,273 rupees.

Do , ... the last five years 70,998,502

Increase! 34,718,229 rupees.

This will doubtless prove a very unacceptable table to
Mr. Whitmore and Mr. Crawfurd ; but truths like murder,
will come out, sooner or later.

The foregoing table indeed speaks volumes in favour of
the Company, as Mr. Whitmore admits that the free trade
has not increased more than 1,000,000/. sterling since its
opening, and I have shown what a ruinous trade it has
been. I trust, however, it will now become more steady ;
and as the Company are exporting to Bengal only for the
supply of their troops, there is every hope that the Indian
trade will prove, if not a very profitable one, at least a
remunerating one; for heretofore, the only persons who
could in reality make fortunes at Calcutta were the auc-
tioneers. The failure of Messrs. Palmer and Co., although
fatal to many hundreds of individuals, will be productive
of benefit to the country at large ; it broke up the mono*
poly which five or six agency houses maintained ; and the
commerce of Bengal is now divided among the junior estab-
lishments, of whom some are Liverpool firms, that promise
to be of considerable benefit to Bengal as well as Great
Britain.

Mr. Wilson gives the following table of the imports and
exports of Bengal since 1813, and concludes with the
following remark, in which every reasonable person, who
knows any thing of the country, must concur.

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** That the tfa4e has avgaiented doriiig the period micier ezaminatioii is ande-
niable ; but it has not increased in the degree which is sometimes supposed.
Such oiMervations as have been made are intended only to moderate eip^tation,
-and to recommend a cautions receptioo oC the conSdeni theories which contem-
plate no bounds to the wealth and capabilities of Beftgal. Britbh Jndia ifl a
poor country, afid must remain so whiUt its populatwn ha* a ferpetual tendency
to exceed the means of subsistence, and whilst a large portion of its scanty capital
is annually abstracted to enrich a fofeign -state, and swell the resources of Gnat
Britain."

Imports to and £xfort9 from Calcttta wi¥tt aix farits

OF THE World.

Years. Imports. Exports. Surplus.

18ia-14 . .S. Rs. 21,200,000 . .S. Rs. 53,900,000 + 32,700,000

1814-15 26^100,000 56,100,000+30,000,000

1815-16. 34,400,000 66,600,070 + 32,200,000

1816-17 58,400,000 69,900,000+11,500,000

1817-18 68,500,000 78,100,000 + 09,600,000

1818-19 76,200,000 70,900,000—05,300,000

1819-20 56,500,000 69,500,000+13^000,000

1820-21 45,200,000 67,100,000+21,900,000

1821-22 46,700,000 77,900,000+31,200,000

1822-23 43,000,000 87,100,000+44,100,000

1823-24 38,800,000 80,400,000+41,600,000

1824 25 40,400,000 .77,500,000+37,100,000

1825-26 36,000,000 76,000,000 +40/)00/)OP

1826-27 ,34,000,000 68,000,000+34,000,000

1827-28 41,500,000. '. 87,300,000+45,800,000

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CHAPTER IV.

I think it has been jsufficiently proired in the preceding
chapters that nothing can be more erroneous than a compa-
rison between the India and China trade ; the former being
British territory, with a population of 100,000^000 mouths,
— ^where a standing army of 300,000 men is maintained,—*
extensive fortresses, — a large marine, — an expensive and
numerous civil establishment, — an increasing British and
British-descended population, — where English manufac-
tures may be introduced at the will of the conquerors, to
the complete annihilation of the native artisans, — and
where, in fact, the same or even greater facilities for com-
merce are afforded by the East India Company (in respect
to extreme lowness of duties,— the non-application of the
Navigation Act, — a pilot establishment unequalled in any
part of the world, &c.) than in any of the ports of the
United Kingdom: The other a foreign country, inhabited,
as Mr. Crawfurd says, hj ^ a jealous and unsocial people,**
— ^who have " a great antipathy to strangers,**^ — do not
''perceive the benefis of foreign cawimerce+/'— whose go-
vernment " tolerates rather than protects i^," J — who rigidly
" exclude foreigners from every port of the empire, except
one,*'^ Canton; where —

'* Brituh intereourM is abandoned to the tnUtrmry eontroul of the local antho'
rities rf Canton, a venal and corrupt ^luss^ pereone, tpfto, hamng ptarckaeed their
appointments, study only the means of amassing wealth by extortion and injustice, Jl
e^ially usimtramed by their own, and uaopposed by the governments whose
subjects they oppress, and who, for the attainment of this end, impose severe
burdens upon commerce"^

♦ Mr. Crawford.

t Ditto. t Ditto. i Ditto.

II Petition of the British free merchants trading to and residing at
Canton, presented to the House of Conunons, by Sir Robert Peel in
June last.

IT Ditto.

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A nation " whose government is arbitrary and corrupt !**

whose *' merciless and indiscriminating laws, as applied to

foreigners, make no distinction between manslaughter and

murder ;'* — "a government which withholds from foreigners

the protection of its laws, 2Lni whose ipower is felt only in

a system of unceasing oppression, pursued on the avowed

principle of considering every other people as placed many

degrees below its own in the scale of human beings,*'^ —

who " restrict the entire foreign commerce of a vast empire

to the single port of Canton^ where the exorbitant harbour

dues operate as a virtual exclusion to the smaller class of

shipping ;** J — where

" The privilege of dealing with foi^gners is confined to some ten or twelve
licensed native merchants, and sach is the oppressive conduct of the local autho-
rities towards these individuals, by a systematic course of constantly recurring
exactions and generally harsh treatment, that respectable and wealthy men
cannot be prevailed on to accept the privilege* though earnestly uiged by the
Government to do so. for the purpose of supplying vacancies ansing from
deaths and bankruptcies. The Government being thus unable to maintain, in
an efficient state, the limited medium of intercourse which they have esta-
blished, and prohibiting foreigners from renting warehouses, in which to de-
posit their cargoes, there is no adequate competition nor any chance of ob-
taining the fair market value of a commodity ; an evil the more deeply felt in
consequence of nearly all the imports for the year necessarily arriving about
the same time, during the few numths when the periodical winds arefav<mrahle
in the China sea. From the moment a foreign vessel arrives, her husiness is
liable to be delayed by underlings of Uie Custom-house, on frivolous pretexts,
for the sake of extorting unauthorised charges — ^the duty on her import cargo
is levied in an arbitrary manner by low unprincipled men, who openly de-
mand BRIBES,— it is, consequently, of uncertain amount, and, by the addition
of local exactions exceeds, by many times, the rates prescribed bv the Im-
perial Tariff, which appear to be, in general, moderate, although so little
attended to in practice, that it is scarcely possible to name any fi»sd charge,
except on a veiy few articles." (||)

A government against which the petitioners pray for
" the adoption of some measures which may tend to ame-
liorate the humiliating condition of British subjects, in
common with other foreigners, resident in China ;"§ — a
government ** to which the petitioners cannot deny the
credit of having hitherto successfully triumphed over Eu--
ropean power and dignity,** — the "ruler of which most

• Mr. Crawford. t Ditto.

t Petition of the British free merchants before mentioned. It is
worthy of remark that this petition was published in the CcaUon Rt"
gister at Canton.

II Since the presentation of this petition the harbour dues have been
raised, and numerom opprestions increated.

§ Letter of the unincorporated British free-merchants, to the Presi-
dent and Select Committee of the East India Company*s factory at
Canton, Dec. 28> 1830.

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ancient empire has seen the representatives of the mo-
narchs of other countries bear tribute to his throne, and in
many instances, prostrate themselves in the dust before
him / " * — a country in which ** the petitioners fear no
national extension of British commerce can take place, or
eiFectual amelioration of the humiliating condition of
British subjets in China can be effected, unless by a
direct intervention of his Britannic Majesty's government
with the court of Pekin ; "* and which,"

" If unattainable by the course suggested, the petitioners indulge a hope
tbat the Government of Great Britain^ with the sanction of the legislature,
will adopt a resolution worthy of the nation, and, by the ac<piisition of an in-
sular possessitm near the eotut of China, place British commerce, in this remote
quarter of the globe, beyond the reach ot future oppression and despotism,"! !*

Such is the country which Mr. Whitmore, Mr. Rickards,
Mr, Crawfurd, Mr. Buckingham, and others, who in
common with them have never visited it, tell the people
of England that it forms a direct parallel with the almost
free port of Calcutta J That the British public may see
whose sentiments the foregoing are, I append a list of
the signatures annexed to the petition when it was pre-
sented to the House of Commons by Sir Robert Peel;
they are the names of merchants who carry on a com-
merce with China equal in value to 3,000,000/. sterling,
and who reside along with the East India Company^s
factory at Canton and Macao, the honourable testimony
which they have borne respecting the Company I have
given at page 65 ; and shall adduce some more of their
manly laudation in a subsequent place.

t Thomas Beale,
Jas. H. Rodgers,
WiJliam Dallas,
J. R. Morrison, Jun.
William Haylett,
H. Wright,
Thomas All port,
Arthur S. Keating,
Fs. Holiingworth,
iniomas C. Beale.
Alexander Matheson,
Henry S. Robinson,
D. Manson,
R. Browne,
George Horback,
Buijorjee Manukjee,

William Jardine,
James Matheson,
John Macvicar,
James Innes,
John C. Whiteman,
R. Turner,
C. Fearon,
A. P. Boyd,
John Templeton,
W. H. Harton,
J. W. H. Ibery,
J. Henry,
R. Markwick,
G. R. Johnson,
Nasserwanjee Framjee.
Burjoijee Framjee,

* Petition before referred to.

t '*The same merchants signed the remonstrance addressed to the

A. Grant,
John Crockett,
James Boucaut,
J. Rees,
Wm. McKay,
D. Wilson,
H. Tudor,
Ricd.A. J.Roe,
Edward Parry,
Chas. Marckwick,
L. Just, Jun.
Jehangier Cursetjee,
Framjee Pestonjee,
Sorabjee Cowasjee,
Mavanjee Hormajee.

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I fthall now rather hastily glance at the far*famed Ame-
rican trade with Canton, and which our trans-Atlantic
brethren are so anxious to get rid of, that the witne^ea
before the House of Commons seemed to make it an
essential point in their evidence, by urging on the com*
mittee the necessity of abolishing the East India Com-
pany ! Why? Was it because the Americans desired to
have " foemen worthy of their steel" in the free-traders?
Because they despised entering into competition with
*' a monopoly^'? Because, in their exceeding generosity
with a rigorous national tariff at home, they desired to
transfer the European carrying trade about which so
much has been written and said, to their great maritime
rivals ? Or, was it in sober truth, because they clearly
foresaw that a destruction of the East India Company
would be most certainly followed, as Mr. Davidson says,
by a rupture with the Chinese empire, and that in the
protracted war which would necessarily follow the Yankees
would find ample employment? Such was I have no
doubt the real facts of the case, and as to the evidence
of Mr. Bates, which I will hereafter expose, he evidently
was merely looking to himself, to the advancement of his
own immediate interests.

A cry for free -trade with the Chinese, comes however
with a bad grace from the Americans when we look at ^
their tariff; they desire it is true to be permitted to enter
the ports of all other nations, but they will admit of no
return; even the article of Indigo, which they have the
freest permission to purchase abundantly at Calcutta — yet,
as Mr. H. H. Wilson says, when speaking of the decliniug
trade with America, — " The new tariff imposes heavy and
annually augmenting duties, with a view to encourage the
home manufacture, which is successfully prosecuted in
some parts of the States ; whenever the export of Indigo
ceases, there will remain little temptation to America to
maintain any commercial intercourse with India. ! " And
is it possible, that a British legislature — renowned for

local authorities at Canton, against the new restrictions on trade,
given in the Appendix, in which they ** protest agsdnst the adoption
of rules which would make life misirlme and property iruecureJ^ /

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its pradent and cautious conduct,— will rashly and with
an indescribable infatuation proceed to the destruction of
the China trade on the evidence of two or three American
captains of ships* who have casually visited China? It
were a libel on the Senate to think so ! But let us see what
the general result of the American trade to Canton has
been» as far as we can learn from a few documents which
have been laid before Parliament ; for the Bostonians were
too cunning to exhibit the real state of their affairs, and
Mr. Cushing who is stated to have amassed a large for-
tune in the trade, at the expense of many hundreds of
his countrymen who have been made bankrupts ; Mr.
Cushing indeed took good care not to appear before Par-
liament !*

I shall first examine the American exports from British
India.

Ambrxcan exports from Bbngal, Madras, and Bohbat.

Bengal. Madras. Bombay.

8. Bl. Arc* Rs. Bov. Rt.

From 1815 to 1820 . . 28,849,78? .... 740,716 3,084,1 69

From 1821 to 1826 . . 18,706,757 • . . . 1 ,080,843 .... 82,207

Filing aff.16,143,030 jL'e 340,1 27 ^TSff 2,95 1,962

Here we see a falling off of eighteen million of rupees,
and late accounts state, that the American trade with
India is now nearly extinct. It cannot be said that this
decrease has been owing to the English free-trader, for
he is virtually excluded from the American ports, and
has but little commerce with the Continent of Europe ;
in fact, it was in consequence of the general unprofit-
ableness of the trade.

Let attention be directed to the enquiry, whether the
American China trade has increased in proportion as their
India trade decreased 9

* The Commercial Report at Canton of 1828, states, " that not an article
of British manufactures can he named which would realize within ten per cent,
of prime coat!"

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American imports into China^

Years. Merchandize. Bullion.

1818, S. Dollars 2,603,151 S. Dollars 7,414,000

1819 1,861,961 6,297,000

1821* 3,074,741 5,126,000

1822 2,046,558 6,292,840

Total S. Dollars .... 9,586,41 1 S. Dollars . . 25,128.840

1823, S. Dollars 2,217,126 S. Dollars. .4,096,000

1824 . : 2,437,545 6,524,580

1825 2,050,831 5,705,200

1826 2,002,549 1,841,168

Total, S. Dollars 8,708,051 S. Dollars 18.166,868

ToU\ first feur years, 9,586,411 25,128,840

Ditto, last four years, 8,708.051 18,166,868

Falliog ofip, S. Dollars. .878.360 S. Dollars, 6,961,972

The foregoing is sadly at variance with the statements
promulgated by the opponents of the East India Com-
pany, who endeavour to make the British public believe
that the Americans were carrying all before them at
Canton, yet it will be seen that in one year, from 1821 to
1822, the imports of merchandize fell off upwards of one
million ! The total decrease of the latter as compared
with the former period is, S. dollars, 7,840,332 ! ! This I
suppose is what the advocates of free-trade call '* throw-
ing all the commerce into the hands of the American8.''t

I now solicit attention to the American exports from
China during exactly the same years.

* For a good reason the returns of the year 1820, are carefully
excluded from all the American returns I have seen !

t The Americans admitted in their evidence, that they '*did not /ear the
free-traders at Canton :*' — no wonder, indeed, that they have no fear !

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American exports from Chika«*

Years. Exports. Years. Value of Exports.

1818, S. Dollars . • 9,041,756 1823, S. Dollars. .5,677,149

1819 8,182,015 1824 8,601,121

1821 7,058,741. . . ,1825 8,752,662

1822 7,523,492. . . . 1826 . 4,363,788

Total S. Dollars . . 31,805,893 Total S. Dollars . . 27,294,620

Tot&\ first four years, S. Dollars. .31,805,993

Total last four years 27,294,520

Falling off, S. Dollars . . 4,511,373

The total imports and exports for the first and last
years mentioned in the foregoing returns, will place the
matter in an equally clear point of view.

Total American Trade with China.

Imports, Exports.

In 1818-19 S. Dol. .10,017,151 S. Dol. 9,041,755

In 1826-27 '. 3,843,717 4,363,788

Falling off! . . S. Dol. . . 6,163,434 S. Dol. . . 5,677,967

Decreased trade / Imports, S. Dol. 6,163,434

Jjecreasea tiaae . . -j^ Exports 5,677,967

Total decrease S. Dollars. • 11,841,401

Thus we see a diminution of the American trade with
Canton between 1818 and 1826, to the amount of nearly
twelve million of Spanish dollars I

The next point for consideration is, — have the Ame-
ricans extended their trade with the continent of Europe
from China ? Have they in fact done that which it is
said the East India Company's exclusive privileges have
prevented the British unincorporated trader from doing ?
They have not !

* We are obliged to rely on the statements of tke Americans, according to
their own shewing ; if the real value of their trade could be shewn, it would be
far less inviting to the free-trader.

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Total valub op Amkucaw bsfohts frok Canton intended
FOR European consumption.

Yean. Value.

1818-19 S. l>ol.. . 1,746,1114 J

1820-21*. .noi given in the reiwm / Total /rW 3 years,

1821-29 714,145 /8. Dol.. .2,844,249.

1822-28 388,910j

1828-24 458,906

1824-25 584,6771m * i f / o

1825-26 6841856 I T^t^^.^^*-^^y^*^'-

1826-27 144,465

1t<

]8.

DoL..M13,998

The above scarcely admits of comment ; a falling off
between the first and last periods of three years each, of
1,430,251 S. dollars; and between 1818 and 1826, of S.
dollars 1,601,729!!

A brief glance at the American eastern shipping • —

American vessels cleared out for ports beyond the
Gape of Good Hope.

Yean. No. of Ships Tonnage.

In 1824 and 1826. , . . 158 48,046

In 1827 and 1828. ... 101 31,180

Falling off— Sliips • . 52 16,866 ! ! !

1 will now grapple with the question somewhat closer ; I
besiiate not to place the American Canton trade, in juxta-
position with the East India Company's, and let it be
remembered that the American China-trade has been a
losing 0716 to individuals, as well as to the government ; —
but on the contrary the East India Company's has been
highly benefcial to both.

BAST xmnA coacPAinr.

Total value of exports
from Canton to England,
for home consumption.

1819-20 1,007,389/. st

1823-24 2,069,429

1826-27 2,264,726

Inereeue of the last
year fiyerllie 1st year

257,377/. St

AMSBlCAMm

Total value of i^xforts
FROM Canton to America,

FOR HOME CONSUMPTION.

1819-20. . . .8. Del. 6/435,821

1823-24 5,223,243

1826-27 4,219^323

Decrease of the last q oi a vIqq
year oyer Uie first year, ^^'^^f'^^

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Will any British House of CommooB shut their eyes
eind ears to Jacts? A progressive increase in the iPa^t
India CoqfipaQy's trade ; a rapid decrease in the Americai^,
after nearly halfra-fCentury free-trading with China !

I will now exhibit another return, from which is ex-
cluded on the East India Company's side, the privikge
trude to Canton which is considerable, and it will be
obs^nred aUq that QU tl)e American sid^, the r^turq giyep
their whole trade with Canton, whether for home ox foreign
consumption ; but on the Company's, it merely refers to
the trade with England*

BAST INPIA OOVCPAKT.

Total value op tradx
BETWEEN Canton and En-

gland.

1816 to 1820...

1822 tQ 1826..

.13,178,733/.
.13,921,867

Increase ia the lat- *-^« | «^7 «x
terperio4 ^43,134/. St.

AmRXGAN.

Total value of trade
between Canton and all
parts of the word.
1816 to 1820, S. D. 46,842,802
1822 to 1826 45,672,721

Decreate ia the lat-

uecreate la tbe lat- i o*7a nei
terp^riod 1,270,081

I will not weary my readers by referring to these con-
clusive figures, — they speak for themselves ; on referring
to the returns of the trade between India and Canton for
the same periods, as given in the parliamentary returns,
I find it to be as follows. —

Trade between India and Canton.

From 1816 to 1820 17,231,221/.

1822 to 1826 18,214,620

Increase of tbe latter over the forp^r period. .073,39^/. st.

Mr, H. H. Wilson in tbe able ^prk which I have before
referred to*, gives the following statement of the trade
between Bengal and China, during th^ annexed years.

• Printed at Calcutta, but to be had of Messrs. Parburry and AUcn,
Leadenhall-street.

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Exports from Bengal to China.

Year*. Value. Yean. Valac.

1814 . . S. Rnps. ..11 ,063,398 1821 . . S. Rups. . . 10,246,664

1816 9,113,190 1822 13,109,592

1816 10,738,589 1823 10,185,041

1817 10,514,867 1824 10,129,858

1818 9,279,136 1825 10,218,303

1819 5,454,564 1826 13,848,976

1820 12,866,642 1827 14,875,009

Total Rapees, 68,969,386 Total, 82,613,443

Of the foregoing exports, opium forms a large sliare^
bat of late years the opium from Bombay has consider^
ably increased in exportation to China, — in 1826 and
1827, it amounted to 1,407,970 Spanish dollars! The
European reader will recollect that the above table shews
only the amount of exports to China from one port in
India ; and such is the valuable commerce, which Mr.
Whitmore and Mr. Crawfurd instigate the nation to place
in jeopardy, and most probably to annihilate !

The imports from China into Bengal will be found
scarcely less remarkable for their immense amount ; I am
induced to give the table, in order to shew the represen-
tatives of England what a valuable commerce they may
ruin by a single injudicious or unreflecting vote*

Imports into Bengal from China.

Yean. Value. Years. Valae.

1814. .S. Rupees. . 6,917,170 1821. .S. Rupees. .6,222,240

1815 5,433,309 1822 3,849,356

1816 10,048,381 1823 6,022,427

1817 11,359,758 1824 3,991,176

1818 12,836,846 1825 6,087,908

1819 7,129,026 1826 3,555,012

1820 7,585,995 1827 8,588,695

Total 8. Rapees, 61,310,485 Total S. Rupees, 38,306,814

A large portion of this branch of trade is in bullion,
for instance, during the last year of the table out of

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eight milUon and a half of imports, upwards of six million
were in bullion, refined silver and dollars. The following
table will shew the proportions of bullion and merchan-
dize for a few years.

Imports into Bengal from China.
Years. Merchandize. Treasure. Total.

1822, S. R. .1,230,000. .S.R.. .2,619,000. .S.R. . .3,849,000

1823, 1,684,000 4,437,000 6,021,000

1824, 1,582,000 2 409,000 3,991,000

1825, 1,933,000 4,154,000 6,087,000

1826, 1,901,000 1,653,000 3,554,000

1287, 2,170,000 6,418,000 , 8,588,000

I will dismiss for the present the Americans, by placing
them once more in juxta-position with the East India
Company, as respects the introduction of manufactures
into China, those of the Americans are called British,
and consist of camlets, bombazets, cloths, shirtings, &c. ;
the Company's were principally woollens and cottons :
Before doing so, I wish to offer some testimony on a sub-
ject, about which much has been said, respecting the
Company neglecting the interests of the woollen trade.
I am induced to extract a few passages from the evidence
of gentlemen connected with the business. Mr. Walford
stated that '' he has known the Company to have made
various experiments, by purchasing articles, some at a
higher, and some at a lower price, with a view to push the
manufactures of this country in China, ^^ "The Company
strictlj' examine every article they purchase, by which
they establish a character for British manufactures: a bale
of goods with their mark need not be opened'* — (Mr. Walford,
p. 667.) The Company direct their attention to economy,
so long as they secure superiority of the articles they are
shipping," — (Mr. Walford.) " I should think the Ame-
rican export of woollens to China has not imreased.^^ —
(Ditto.) Mr. W. Ireland, an extensive cloth manufac-
turer in Gloucestershire, was asked if the Company had
increased, or decreased their orders of late ? He answered
— " when I first commenced business, in 1819, the Com-
pany shipped 7.000 pieces, which is 14,000 ends ; they
have increased their purchase of Spanish striped ends to

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100

24,000 ends! They fii^t in the year 11^24 incretitsed to
10,000 pieces, and since that period to 12,000 pieced.
There was also an increase of "Supers'*; at that period
there were 2,000 pieces contracted for, now there are
3,000. Had it not been for the Company's trade last
winter, some hundreds of our people must have starved.
— The Company buy by open competition^ 2sejmt in their
dealings, and give less trouble than individuals." (p. 604).

East India Company's £x- American Exports to Can-
forts TO Canton. ton.

1824 2,850,798 S^f^. dolrft. 1824 794,514 Sp. dolrS.

1825.... 3,173,213 1825 915,358

1826.... 3,504,828 1826 893,836

Total . . 9,537,939 Sp. dolrs. Total . . 2,503,708 Sp. dolrs.

In the foregoing the East India Company's exports
will be observed to be milch more rapid in their increase
than those of the Americans.

Mr. Whitmore asserted that the East India Gompany^s
export trade to China had bieen gradaally decreasing ;
but if the previous numerous tables which I have ad-
duced be not thought sufficient, I quote the following,
from a parliamentary return.

East India Company's Exports Fiiott England to
China.
In 1824, 1825, & 1826. .£2,065,044 steriing.
1827> 1828, & 1829.. 2,209,339

Increase in the latter period over the \ n ^^ a^- Rterlinir ♦
former § ' ^*

The^ following return of registered tonnage belonging
to the East India Company, cleared out from the port of
'Canton, at two periods since the last renewal of their
charter, will help to demonstrate whether their trade
lias decreased with China, and let it be borne in mind
how the American Eastern tonnage has fallen off during
the same period, as shewn in a former page.

* The exports have since increased much more.

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101

Easit India Company's Ships clbArsd out fr^m Canton.
Tons. tens.

From 1815 to 1819 127,245 Annual average. .25,245

1823 to 1827. . . , 148,717 Do do 29,743

■

Increase in the latter)

period over the former J 21,472 tons.

In 1828 the East India Company's totinage amounted
to 41,388 tons ! A most convincing proof of a ruinous
and declining trad«.

The following table will more accurately shew whetbet
the allegations of the Company's shipping having de-
creased since the last retiewal of their charter, be cor-
rect: —

Ships belonging to, or chartered by the East India

Years. Ships. Tons. Men.
i816,. 26.. 29,177-. ^,©03
1816.. 26.. 26,063.. 2,894
1817.. 22.. 22,326.. 2,305
1818.. 32.. 29,245.. 3,048
1819.. 85.. 27,409.. 2,546
1820.. 22.. 23,478.. 2,425

LMX.

Tears. Ships. Tons. Men.
1823.. 24.. 26,484. .2,699
1824.. 25.. 27,580.. 2,819
1825.. 32.. 33,205.. 3,188
1826.. 26.. 28,985.. 2,675
1827.. 85.. 37,699.. 3,708
1828.. 39.. 41,388.. 3,929

Total. 178. . 157,693. . 16,021

Tetal . 181 . . 195,341 . 19,018

Tens. Men.
First period. . . . 157,693. . . . 16,021
Last period 195,341 19,018

Increase of the latter over the for- 1

mer period § 37,648 tons. 2,999 men.

I had intended to have said very few words on this
subject, until I saw this passage of Mr. Orawfurd's, in
the 290th page of the Edinburgh Review, before re-
ferred to.

'' Their whole conduct as merchants is a tissue of the
most unmeasured extravagance. They toere long in the
habit of paying 262. lOs. for freight for such ships as they
chartered, while private merchants were paying not more
than 8/. or 10/. per ton, and although the Company have

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102

latterly reduced their freights, they are still about o/te
hundred per cent, higher than the current rates."

How stands the fact? By the 39th Geo. III. c. 89«
and the 68th Geo. III. c. 83, the Company were obliged
to prepare their ships for war as well as trade ; and even
now in peace time they have a political service to perform,
in the conveyance of troops and military stores, for which
they are so well adapted, that complaints have been made
at the Horse-guards when his Majesty's troops have
been sent out to India in small vessels, instead of in the
Company's large ships.

Every person who knows any thing of shipping, is
aware that freight is now, and has been for the last few
years so low, that many ship-owners prefer keeping their
ships in dock to employing them. Capt. Pope, a ship-
owner (and an economical man), who had been in China,
was examined before the late select committee, and stated
that he could then, in 1830, '* provide a ship to go direct
to Canton for 16/. per ton, and for two pounds more he
could pay the port dues." Here then we find that in
time of peace, a vessel only one half the size of one of the
Company's ships, not subject to be sent to St. Helena,
or Bombay, or detained any where, but to go direct to
Canton, would cost 151. a ton; but, says Mr. Crawfurd,
the Company might have obtained it at 8/. or 10/. a
ton ; whether the political economist or the ship-owner
spoke truth, it is not difficult to conjecture. In a paper
delivered in by Captain Maxfield to the select com-
mittee, I find a list of freights which the Company
have paid in 182(j, since which, as the Committee
observe, " a very great change has occurred in the
East India Company's commercial marine," on account
of their being relieved from the onerous expense en-
tailed on them by act of parliament.

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Vessels Chartered by the East India Company in 1820,

FOR THE China Trade.

Ships. Tons. Freight. When Chartered.

Herefordshire 1,200 £21 18 Jan. 1811

VanMtart 1,200 20 18 July, 1810

Bombay 1,242. ... 20 19 Nov. 1813

Charles Grant 1,246. ... 20 12 Do. .do.

Lowther Castle 1,427. ... 20 12 0. .. .Do. .do.

Abercrom^ie Robinson .1,331 21 July, 1823

Edinburgh 1,326 21 Do. .do.

Iford IfOwther 1,332 21 7 0... .Do. .do.

Marquis of Huntly . . 1,279. ... 18 18 0. . . . Sept. do.

Inglis. 1,298 18 6 Aug. 1824

^tlas 1,267 18 5 Do. .do.

Bridgewater 1,276. ... 18 40... .Do. .do.

Warren Hastings (1). . 1,276 15 7 0*. .Do. .do.

Warren Hastings (2,).. I fiOO 18 5 Sept. 1824

Rosa 955 19 14 July, 1823

Prince Regent 953. ... 19 17 Do. . do.

jisia 958.... 19 17 Do.. do.

Marchioness of Ely. . . 952 19 19 0. . . .Do. .do.

Princess Charlotte of \

Wales 1 978 19 2 Sept. do.

Marquis Wellington. . . 96 1 ... . 19 4 .... Do .. do.

Coldstream 733. ... 12 50 March, 1825

Guildford 533 12 19 Do do.

Jllbion 479 12 19 Do do.

Childe Harold 463 12 19 Do do.

Total number of tons. .25,681 K At an average of £18 10«. per

c ton.

The foregoing exhibits a return of the great majority
of the tonnage engaged by the E. I. Company for China
from 1810 to 1825, before they were relieved of
some of the onerous restrictions of the act of parlia-
ment. There were also taken up in the year 1826
19,462 tons of shipping, some for Bengal and China,
and some for Halifax and China, the average freight
for which was ten pounds eleven shillings sterling ! One
of the ships was named the Java, burthen 1,175 tons,
and the freight paid for her was 6/. 25. 6d. per ton !
Thus, it will be perceived, by adding the tonnage given
in the foregoing table with the latter, that in January,

* Ihis is Captain Pope's price for his 500 tons free trader 1

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104

1836, the East India Company bad chartered 45^43
tons of shipping, at the average freight of fourteen pounds
nine shillings per ton f

There were some very superior of the largest class ships,
which had been chartered durip^ the ws^r for pi^^ yoyages,
as the act of parliament compelled them to be, and they
were engaged' at a higher rate than any I have named ;
but it was as unjust as it was disingenuous of Mr. Craw-
furd to make the allegation in the Edinburgh Reyiew which
I have quoted ; even Captain Pope's offer about 16/« per
ton in 1830 is perceived to be higher than the average of
46,143 tons at the termination of the year 1826, when so
much speculation in foreign coqamerce was going on* The
Company have been blamed for using large sbips^ and by
no person more so than Mr. Crawfurd ; yet in Milburn's
Oriental Commerce, I find the following passage : — *^ Mr.
Crawfurd states that the amount of duties under the deno-
mination of port charges, Cumshaw, or present, &c. is at
present only about 27s. per ton on a vessel of 1200 tons,
and about 60s. 6d. on a vessel of 400 tons V* This is a
diminution of nearly 1000/. sterling, which, independent of
several other items, would make an annual saving of about
30,000/. sterling I Captain Alsager, in hi^ (evidence before
the late Parliammitary Committee, states that'^the portdues
at Canton on a large ship come to about tvoenty shillings a
ton ; on ships of 600 tons burthen to forty shUUngs a ton !*'
Besides, there is more spaciousness in the hold ; they can
be loaded quicker (which is a great advantage in China,
where trade is only carried on for a short season in the
year), there is less breakage, and the teas are better pre-
served. Captain Alsager stated in his evidence that it
would take ^' four 600*ton ships to bring home one cargo
such as is brought in one 1300-ton ship ; consequently, if
twenti/'h\i\^% be the regular number of the reason, it would
take eighty to bring home the same quantity of teaP^ In
war time (and who knows how long we may be at peace)
a good Indiaman will mount 44 guns, carry her valuable
cargo, and be fit to cope with an enemy's frigate. For
carrying troops large ships are convenient; the depth
between deck^ being considerable, as well as their lofti-

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ness in the water» render them admirably adapted for such
purposes. Their speed and regularity in making passages
is really extraordinary. As one instance, I may state that
in the season of 1829 two of the East India Company's
ships sailed from the Downs for Bengal within two houn
of each other, and in eighty-six days they both made the
Pilot at the Sand Heads, C?Xc\ii\A, within four hours of
each other, without ever having seen each other during a
voyage of upwards of \bfiOQ wiles /* Captain Alsager was
asked by the Committee how did they answer as ships of
war when they have been employed in India as such?
His answer was — ** Remarkably well ; they have several
times distinguished themselves: when Captain Bulteel
went out in the BeUiqueux to India, he fell in with three
French frigates on the Brazil coast : — one he attacked ;
he send two Indiamen after the Medea, which frigate struck
to the ^xe^erlndiaman; the third frigate was attacked by
the yfarley, and escaped by throwing her guns overboardi
and cutting some of her beams through/' This is a cir^
cumstance which should be borne in mind, not only in
war time, but with regard to the formidable pirates that
infest the Eastern seas ; and it should be remembered, that
from the length of the Chinese voyage, and the necessity
there is of reaching Canton at a precise period, that al*
though peace may have prevailed in Europe at their
departure, yet, before their return, war might have been de-
clared (of which there is now a probability), and while small
vessels would fall a ready prey to the light cruisers of an
enemy, each Indiaman would be able to protect itself,
even if they did not sail in a large convoy, and thus prove
sufficient to beat an admiral's squadron with an 84-gun
ship, as was the case by Sir Nathanial Dance, a captain of
one of the East India Company's ships. Moreover, if war
were now declared against any European state, would it
not be a great advantage to have 15 or 20,000 tons of such
fine shipping ready instantly to form into frigates ? — ^in
this way the East India Company have before assisted
the government. Such is the superiority of the Company's

* The afcrage daily rate of sailing was about 180 miles a day !

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ships, that Mr. John Simpson, twenty-four years a ship**
broker, stated, in his evidence before Parliament on the
late Committee, that *' the £ast India Company's ships
to China are held to be one of the best risks that the
underwriters have an opportunity of insuring,''* Since the
year 1806, about /fve hundred of these superb vessels^ of
one thousand two hundred tons burthen on an average, have
been employed in bringing home tea, only one of which
(the Ganges) has been lost r^^^she foundered in a dreadful

fale of wind off the Cape of Good Hope, in 1806 — was not
uilt with scantling equal to her size, and had been hastily
repaired at Bombay after springing a leak. Captain Al-
sager rates '' the freight of a small ship to China at 16/. per
ton ; but the tenders for the Chinese shipping are by open
competition^ and the lowest tender is always taken.^* I truest
the foregoing will be deemed sufficient to repel Mr. Craw-
furd's mistalement in the Edinburgh Review; I shall
therefore close this chapter with rebutting another shame-
ful assertion of the same gentleman's, in his pamphlet
entitled " The Chinese Monopoly Examined" in which he
observes, thfit the advocates of the East India Company
wish '^ to persuade the Britith nation thai it is good far them
that each of four and twenty private geniiemen frequenting
Leadenhall Street should enjoy a yearly patronage of some
26,000/." Now in the first place, the Court of Directore
are not *'four and twenty private gentlemen;^* they are mea
who have spent the greater portion of their lives in the
Eastern hemisphere in performing the civi), military, or
commercial functions of an immense empire^ whose. affairs
in this country they are selected. to administer* Within
little more than half a century, myriads of people, differing
in language, religion, customs, and clime, have, by the
mysterious decrees of Providence, been subjected to the,
sway of this extraordinary mercantile association, and it is
indeed a theme of admiration how in so brief a period in-

* The Select Committee of the House of Commons observe diat
** the losses sustained by the Company at sea since 1814 do not average
three fourths per cent 1'' And that " through the gradual reduction o&
their freight, the charge for black tea will not exceed 2.67d,, and for
green tea, 32l(ir

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temal peace has been obtained for 120,000,000 of people,
heretofore afflicted with constant wars and devastating
incursions, but the great majority of whom have now been
brought under one general administration, the efficacy and
benignness of which will be best appreciated by looking
at the tyranny and misery which pervades Ceylon and
other settlements under tlic-government of the crown, or
by reflecting on the miserable state of Ireland, after 700
years' jurisdiction by the King's Ministers, — and not situ-
ated, as India is, at the most distant extremity of the glob^.
Whether the sneer, '* private gentiemen, frequenting hedL-
denhall Street,'* was applicable to men engaged in the
arduous duty of such a government, may be partly under-
stood by any man of common sense; and as regards their
enormous China patronage, I find, on referring to a par-
Jiamentary return, dated the 1st of April, 1829, that the
following conclusive refutation is given to Mr. Crawfurd's
accusation, and of which I may well say —

" Eof uno disee omHes !^

Number ov Writers sent out to China in Three Years.

In 1826-27 None/
In 1827-28 One.
In 1828-29 None/

Mr. Crawfurd values a writersbip to China as being
Worth 10,000/. ; allowing, for argument sake, this to be
correct, the value of China patronage to each Director
would be le^s than 160/. on the average of the three years !
Will the future Committees of the House of Commons on
East India Affairs again receive Mr. Crawfurd'* testimony
after such charges, and which, indeed, form but a part of
those which, if time and leisure permitted me, I could
expose? Indeed, I trust not ; for, above all things, it is
absolutely necessary, according to an old English maxim,
that *' a witness should come into court with clean hands.**

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CHAPTER V.

An expo8are»and refutation of the monstrous, and indeed I
may justly call it infamous accusation against the East
India Company, of charging the British puhlic 1,8329356/. or
2,000,000/. or " thereahouts/'* more fortheir tea than it could
he imported hy the free trader, is too important to he discussed
at the end of a work like the present, which has been hastily
written in a few days, and amidst a variety of distracting events.
I pledge myself, however, to prove most amply, by official aud
authentic documents, that the public are supplied by the Com-
pany with tea on the average of a better quality than that
used any where else ; and all things considered, cheaper (much
cheaper) than in some countries, and 09 cheap as in others.
The absurdity of drawing conclusions from the prices of tea ou
the continent will be apparent from a table in the Appendix B.
in which it will be seen that Bohea, which cannot be purchased
in China at less than eight'pence half -penny ^ may be obtained
at Antwerp for J^d. ; in France for 6^d, ; and at Hamburg
for 6d. ! Congou, of which the Canton price is from lid. to
Is. per lb., may be bought in France at 10|(/., and at Ham-
burg from S^d. to I0\d. ! Canton price for Hyson, Is. 9|i/. ;
French price, la. Sj^. Young Hyson costs in Canton about
1«. S^d. per lb., and only one half that eum at Hamburg V
The Chinese cannot afford to sell Twankay at less than lid.
per lb. ; but the American speculators enable the good people
of Hamburg to drink it at seven-pence far thing !! if One
more specimen, and further ezlubition of this mockery of free
trade will be reserved for the second portion of this work.
Souchong, a good quality tea, sells at Hamburg for five-pence
per lb., which is the same price as the vilest Bohea costs in
the Hamburgh market, and is only one-halfthe price of Bohea
in Canton! Will any sane being think of condemning the

♦ Mr. Crawfurd's pamphlet.

t The price of tea in Kuisia is exceedingly high. Bohea, for instance,
8s. 9(2. per lb.

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East India Company on the foregoing facts ft Yeiit is by the
Hamburgh prices that Mr. Grawfurd, in the Edinburgh iZe-
view (p. 283), asserts that <* the East India Company sold their
teas in 1828-20 for the immense sum of 19832,356/. more than
they would have fetched had the trade been free! The man-
ner in which the price of tea is etihanced to the public, will be
best seen by the following accurate statement. I take a pound
of Congou for instance, according to the evidence of Mr,
Mills, a tea a broker, before the House of Lords. "^

One pound of good Congou, put up at the East

India Company's sales at • • 1 8

Buyers purposely and for their own advantage
raise it • • • • . 9

Purchasbg price by the Brokers 2 5

Duty levied by the Crown • • • • • 2 5

Retailer's profit, brokerage, &c •••.•• 2 2

Shop price ^s.

Thus it will be seen, the tea that the Company offer for sale to
the consumer at 1«. 8(f., or at the utmost say 2^., is enhanced
to 7s. before it finds its way to the drinker's breakfast table^
and yet the Company are absurdly blamed for the high price!
The absolute dishonesty of the Edinburgh Reviewer will be
seen, by simply stating that in forming a table wherewith to
charge the Company for levying a tax on the English consumer
of tea of nearly 2,000,000/., he has most disingenuously omitted
to state that the Hamburg prices of tea submitted by the
House of Lords to Dr. Kelly the Cambist, are exceedingly
various ; in Souchong varying from Sd. to Is. Sd. ; and in

* The low price of tea in America may be accomited for by the following
fftcts in evidence before Parliament.

" Black tea purchased by the Company is better than that bought by the
Americans." — Capt. Coffin, an American.

'' Americani sometimes purchase from the Hong merchants teas with the
Comrany's mark." — Bo.

'* Difference in the price of tea in England and in America is not solel;|r attri
bntable to thoEasfc India Company's monopoly I"— Mr. Bates, an American.

" The souchong sold in America at 12(2. per lb. is infener to the Company's
tea, and the low price in America may be partly accounted for by the extensive
failures of tea merchants in the United States, when teat were sold at a very
great lost ! !"— Mr. Bates.

[Yet it is by comparison with prices thus obtained, that the Company are
charged with taxing the people of England to the amount of l,000,000t. or
2,000,0002. annually.]

'* A diifeienoe of 5 to 10 per cent, in favour of teas purchased by the Com-
pany over the American trade."— Capt. Coffin.

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110

Pelcoe fr»m 39. to 69, ! At Rotterdam, Kampoi from l», M.
to 2^. llcf.9 and Souchong from Is. 7d. to 4a, and 2c?. ! ! No
wonder that Mr. Lay ton, an old, exp(>rienced, and extensive
tea broker, stated in his examination before the committee^
that "the short price oiP tea is lower in Holland thati here ;*^
and the reason assigned by this gentleman is, that ** they can
find no sale for a great deal they have in Holland !" Indeed
on some of the sample tea to which the London brokers were
asked to affix a value, they have made this significant mark —
" No PRICE ; UNFIT FOR USE !i*' and yet tcith this very sample
of tea, on which the brokers could not affix any price, Mr.
Crawfurd helps himself in his calumnies against the Company !!!
Is it to be wondered at that 2,000,000/.' extra was difficult to
make out after such a specimen of downright deception ?

It is difficqlt, ipde^ed almpst impossible for a writet, when lie
:«ees such flagrant pervei'sions of truth to refrain from exposing
them ; I must therefore say a few words more on this head.

Mr. Lay ton on his examination was asked, was he acquainted
with' the foreign trade in tea ? He replied that "he was much
on the continent ; had looked at the foreign tea trade ; and
was very much surprised how little they understood of the
matter!" That respecting the foreign samples he, in common
with the other brokers, had examined by order of the com-
mittee ; he was of opinion that " some of those samples were
picked qualities of tea ;" that in some instanceis the differ^
ence in price was commensurate with the deterioration of
quality ;*' that the " fine Pekoes and others were over land
teas ;" that he was in Holland, Antwerp, and round about,
and their teas were decidedly inferior to ours;'* that at
Paris and places where Englishmen go, " there is a demand for
better tea ;** that " the Congou's and Hy«oa teas imported by
the East India Company are reckoned far superior to those
inported by the private trade officers^ and fetch a larger
price. We sometimes give ^s. 6d. to 6s. per lb. for Company's
tea, while it is a rare thing for the private trade teas to make
more than 3s. lOd. to 4s. V* The broker was asked some «]uea-
tions on a point which I have touched on in the beginning of
these pages ; namely, the probability of extendbg the oonsiunp-

* The commander and officers of a company^s ship are aHowed altogether
about one hundred tons freight in one of their ships, to bring home tea, silks, or
china goods, and to convey to China British manufactures ; the latter they
seldom find profitable, and the tea not much more so.

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tion of tea in this country, a circumstaDce on which the renewal
or non-renewal of the Company's exclasive China privileges
must materially depend ; for I haye, I presume, fully exposed
the falsity of the many allegations against the present system,
and shall do so more fully in my next puhlication. Mr. Lay-
ton was asked, ^' if the Company were to import some teas
of lower quality than they at present import, they would
be suitable for the consumption of the poorer classes of peo^
pleV He thought it would he great impolicy of them to do
so, — that they would hurt the trade at large/* — that the low
bohea tea is now sufficiently low for consumption,'' — that ^^ if
the Company imported lower priced teas, the people v/ox^difind
fault with the very article they were in the habit of consume
ing because it was at a much lower price!" that '^ when the
duty on tea was lowered very consideraUy, the public were so
displeased with the quality of tea^ though they had the self
same tea they would have had before, that the Company took
it all back at the same cost ; the pleople would not drink the
tea, they said it was bad, and some were even fools enough to
go to houses I could mention, where they might have had good
hyson tea which stood them in 5s, per lb., and pay twelve shil-
lings, and fourteen shillings, and sixteen shillings per pound,
because they said it could not be good if offered at low
prices i^ and to this very day, the best consumers of tea in this
country, for the good of the tea-dealers {pi whom there are
from 60 to 70,000 in England!) are the servants at your own
bouses, for they drink black tea at sia and eight shillings a
potmcf, when you (the Members of Parliament)^ may drink
it at a shilling or two shillings a poand less " // Mh
Laytou says he has seen ^' tea on the Continent of u
strange sort of mixture , it was bought of what are called
the outside dealers in China;" — he thinks '^ there is very little
smuggled tea in the trade now ; it is only the fine gun^
powder tea they can make answer, but by the time they have
hawked it about the country, it is very much the worse for it ;"
that ^^ when the Company put a larger stock of tea than the
buyers wish, complaint is made," and they state ^^ they are
pVERSTOCKBD WITH TEA," — ^as they are interested in the price
not falling!" All men who coolly and rationally reflect on

* How applicable these remarks are to all articles of luxury, not
necessaries of life, and dependent for their consumption on an artificial
faste, created by fashion and maintained in use solely by custom?

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112

the extraordinary consumption in Great Britain of nearly
SO^OOO^OOOlbs. weight of the leaves of a tree growing inChina^will
agree with this experienced broker when he states that ** if thb

TRADE WERE THROWN OPEN, HE THINKS THE TEA WOULD BE
TAKEN ABOUT THE STREETS IN BARROWS, and tJlot then pCO"

pie would not take it at alV'l Bat the subject grows on me
apace. I will therefore conclude for the present with the fol-
lowing corroborative extract from the recent Report of the
Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to
inquire into the China trade : —

''The quantity of tea sold by the Company has greatly increased
since 1814.* The average of tbree years from —

1814-15 to 1816-17 was lbs. 25,028;843

And the average of the three years 1826-27 to 1828-29

was 7. lbs. 2^017,238

The average sale proceeds of the larger quantity amounted io the

last three veans to no more than \£SJSJ^1Z

While that of the smaller quantity in the first three

years of the present charter was • • . ,£4fi(Xij83S

It has been stated that the principle to which the Company look in
determining what quantity to offer for sale is the amount of deliveries
and the quantities sold at the previous sale. The nqtpfy is said to

hove MORE THAN KEPT PACE WITH THE DEMAND; CONSIDERABUI
QUANTITIES OF TEA OFFERED HAVB OCCASIONALLY BEEN WITHDRAWN

in cofuequence of no advance having been offered on the upeet price; when
the Company augmented their supply on a comj^laint of the Scotch
dealers some years since, the game dealen eomplamed of the increase (!
owing to their interest being affected bv a reduction of the value of their
stock in handy the amount of which is however very small"!

The Committee admit, in reference to the assertion that the
price of tea to the consumer in Great Britain is higher than that
at which it is sold on the continent of Europe and America,
that " •^ mere comparison of prices affords no just criterion^
there being various kinds classed under the same denomina'
tionf* — that *^ the Netherlands China Association, in its retunis
of tea, has experienced a loss of 25 per cent, on the capital
employed^** — that the ^* principal exports of the Americans to
China for the purchase of tea are in dollars, and even since
they began to take British manufactures to Canton, dollars

* What a direct contradiction to the falsehoods contained in a
letter in the Times Journal a few days ago signed Sineonensis; if it had
been iStnon, the name would have been more appropriate. — Febniary
10th, 1832.

Mr. MastersoD, the British Vice-consul at Rotterdam stated before the Com-
mittee, that " the Dutch, as well as the merchanti of other nations, have lat*
teriy given up the hope of importing teas to any profit upon the cost price !"

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have formed twO'thirds of the total exportsi^ — that " the
Company u3ed formerly to purchase their tea with bullion (as
tlie AmeHcans d6)i but that they now provide their funds at
Canton by sales there of the produce and manufactures of
Great Britain exported by them from hence, and by sales of
the produce of India taken from thence to China/' — that ^' the
late reductions in the home price of British manufactures will
it is expected have enabled the Company to realize a profit
upon their exports during the last two years/' — that '^ the Com-
pany have the pre-emption of most of the black teas," — that
''owing to the extent of the Company's purchases, to their
system of control, and to their great regularity y they buy their
teas, particularly the black, at comparative advantages/'--
that ^' the Company's tea put up to sale must by 25 Geo. III.
c. 38, be sold to the best bidder ^ provided there be an advance
of one penny per lb. ; and that the Company offer to siell it if
the advance be no more than one farthing per lb. /" — that "in
cases ti^here no advance is offered, the tea is put up at the next
sale without any price being affixed to it, and sold for what it
will fetch!** — ^that "the rise in the price of tea during the
period of high prices was not ^o great as in that of some other
commodities," — and that " the trade in tea has by the Com-
pany's system been kept more steady than other cou-
AtRciAL undehtakinos/' — that "thfe American tea-trade
(like the Dutch) has become a losing onsy* — that "the officers
of the Company's ships, although having, no freight to pay,
that they have not increased their exports to China^' — and
that ** the opening of the trade between Great Britain and
China would noty it is thought, cause any alteration in the
policy of the Chinese Government towards foreigners y unless
tbe revenue should fall off from an increase of smuggling by
free-traders^ — or unless there should be, from private disputes;
frequent collisions between the Europeans and Chinese; id
either of these contingencies y apprehensions are entertained
that the trade might be entirely interdicted**!

I will only add two more quotations frond thisf higlily impor-
tant document ; the first shews the complete absurdity of draw-
ing a parallel between India and China, or arguing that because
there has b^en an increase of exports to tndia since the peace,
tlmt iherefere the same would ocenr if the China trade were
Ihrown open«

''The exteniited use of British manufaqtures in India has been pro-
moted by final reguhtionSf which tbe British Government had th^

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power there to make, bat which ii could not effect m Ckma : — ^It is fur-
ther stated that a formidable obstacle to the growth of a prcfitahle
export trade from Great Britain to China arises from the obligation
under which India is placed of annually efiecting a large remittance to
England, and which remittance is now adBontagemmy made by the
Company through the medium of China produce."

The natioii would scarcely refuse to enjoy the remittance
from India of several million sterling annually for the preca-
rions chance of the China trade I close this branch of my
subject with the following extract from the Parliamentary com-
mittee's report, which I trust will put the legislature and the
country at large on their guard against receiving the ipse dixit
of Messrs. Crawfurd, Rickards,^ and Buckingham, '^ the inha-
bitants of the British islands having to pay in the shape of a
monopoly tax on tea some two million sterling per annum,
or therealH)ute."f

^ Several statements have been submitted in evidence with a view
of showing that the Company's exclusive right to supply tea entails a
very heavy tax upon the public amounting in the view of one witness
to ^1,500,000 ; of another to <£1.727,984, and of a third to £1,294,249
sterling, (Mr. Crawfurd takes a higher flight of £2.000,000 or « there-
abouts.) But those statements have been objected to and controverted
Upon the grounds that they have reference to a trade conducted differently
from that which the legislature has prescribed to the Company ; —
that the caiculations 9.re in some respects arithmeticaUy wrong ; — that
they 2ire fallacious, inasmuch as they assume the rate of exchange in
one year and the prices paid to the Company in another; and that in
some of them the prices ^ tea in China are stated loweb than thet

COULD BE PURCHASED FOR THERE, WITHOUT RISKING DETERIORA-
TION OF QUALITY." ! ! !

An examination of the evidence of Mr. Rickards aad Mr.
Bates must stand over, but I cannot help adverting to the con-
tradictory testimony of the two gentlemen, which is so well
reconciled by Mr. Crawfurd, that in one page of the review, he
joins Mr. Bates and a Mr. Aken in maintaining that the Com-
pany receive^ according to Mr. Bates, ^^ one million and a half
per annum (Mr. Crawfurd is fond of calling it 2,000,000^. or
^^ thereabouts^*) beyond a fair mercantile profit ; and accord-
ing to Mr. Aken, ** one hundred per cent, clear profit after
deducting the profit i'* and at page 320 this sapient reviewer
asserts, that " it is exceedingly doubtful whether the East
India Company gain anything by their monopoly after paying
the dividend of 630,000/. — ^Nay, more , in the very same page

* Mr. Rickards says the excess paid by the coantiy is 4,091,1071.: what
unde calculations !

t Mr. tJrawfurd's pamphlet, entitled, " Chinese Monopoly Examined/'
page 7. Ridgeway, riccadilly.

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a few lines lower down^ he "has very little doubt that Mr. Rick-
ard's view of the matter will turn out to he correct" that view
being that the China trade ** has uniformly been attended
with a heavy loss, and that had it not been for the aid
derived from the revenues of India^ the Company would have
long since been completely bankrupt."!* Again, forgetting
entirely that at page 320 he had admitted the produce' of the
China trade paid the Company dividends of 630,000/., yet in
the very next page he asserts, that the privileges possessed by
the Company produce to them '^nothing /"t Such is the
intellect of the great enlightener of the nation on Indian poli-
tics and Eastern commerce !

At page 316 there is a stupid repetition of the vulgar joke
about *• grocers and chee8emonger8,"J and there is a grandilo-
quent, " WE protest against their being allowed to carry a
sword in one hand and a ledger in the other, to act at once as
sovereigns and tea dealers, — as sovereigns and hucksters."

Now in the first place, the East India Company (as Lord
EUenborough lately observed in the House of Lords, in a most
able speech on this important topic) appear at Canton as peace-
ful traders, by which means they have secured and increased
their trade, the arming of their ships being a legislative enact-
ment ; — that their functions as sovereigns and merchants are
considered distinct by Government, is evident from the circum-
stance of the President of the Board of Control having little or
nothing to do with the China trade. Besides, of what materials
18 the British Parliament composed ? Of soldiers and sailors ;
of civic dignitaries and city lawyers ; of country farmers and
London shopkeepers ; and of all these in a greater proportion
than any other classes in society. Is not His Majesty's Cabinet
and Privy Concil of similar formation ? And do they not sway
the military, nautical, commercial, and political destinies of the
nation I Then if we look at the constitution of the Home
Indian Government we find the very same ingredients in its
composition, having superadded long practical experience, well
known abilities, and unswerving rectitude of principle. But

* Mr. Crawfurd's own wordSi and his own italics in the Edinburgh Review
for July, 1831, page 320.

i There are many other most absurd assertions and contradictions, which it
would be quite wearisome to expose.

t When Mr. Crawfurd was in the East India Company's service he did not
hesitate to receive m»ny thousand pounds from the " grocers and cheese-
mongert.''

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Mr. Crawford tells them with a, sneer, <' they most make their
election; let them choose whether they will be grrocers or
emperors" — A fine specimen pf the flippa];iit wisdom of the age
of intellect ! What were the merchants of Venice, of Getioa,
of the United Provinces ? Have not Englishmen substantial
iieason to be proud of the designation of the noble Bard who
termed them after the manner of Napoleon —

" The hav^hty thopkBepen, who dcU

Their goods and xdicts out from poU to pole !"

The opinion of the present enlightened President of the Board
of Control on this head is worth hearing ; the following are the
sound sentiments of the Right Honourable Charles Grant,
If hose high range of talent has never been questioned*

^ It has been repeatedly urged that there is something monstrous Id
the union of the political and commercial functions, — this charge rests
upon the authority of a great master in political learnings But it is a
little curious to observe how this charge nas shifted its grounds since it
was first made. Doctor Smith objects to the union, because the polu-
ticalpart of the character mutt tuffer. The interests of the Company
as merchants will supersede their duty as sovereigns. His disciples,
however, take precieefy the reoerse. The merit of the Company as so-
vereigns they admit, and indeed t^ it too obmouM to he denied ; but,
driven from that post, thev now discover that it is the mercantile cha-
racter whicli must be injured by the imperial ; these publie^irited
tradere, it seems, and it is a grievous accusation, sacrifice their inter-
ests as merchants to their duty as sovereigns ! But after all, this charge
consists very much in aseumption, and perhaps the best answer to it would
be, an appeal to the practical result of this anomalous union. It is,
indeed, somewhat singular, that an argument of this kind, proceeding
upon theory in opposition to experiment, should find acceptance in a
quarter where it has been lately repeated. It is singular that it should
be sanctioned by those, whose claims to the regard of their country,
and to the approbation of posterity, must mainly rest on this circum-
stance, that at a period of frantic epeculation, they adhered to the plain,
practical excellence of tbe constitution, in spite of the defects with which
It might in theory abound. This argument, however, or rather this
assumption, is objectionable in another point of view, as it narrows
the range of political science. It pronounces the junction of the sover^
ejjgn and mercantile capacitiet to be ruinout Now, the only instance
upon record of such a junction is that which is furnished by the East
India Company. It seems, therefore, a little like begging the gueetion,
to begin with laying down a theory, and then to reason from this,
theory and pronounce d priori upon the only fact to which it can be
referred. Such a mixture of functions must upon theory be bad ; the
system of the East India Company is an example of such a mixture ;
therefore it is a pernicious system ! This is surely a premature con-
clusion — for this is the very point to be ascertained — political science
depends upon an induction of facts. In no case, therefore, can it he
allowed to close the series of experiments; and to declare definitively
that for the future no practical results whatever shall afiect an esta-
blished doctrine. Least of all is this allowable, when the doctrine can

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lit

by poB«ibility refer only to a siogle &ct ; and whtn that nnghfa^t. i0 at
war with that doctrine J*

The Right Honourable the Preaidexit of the Board of Coo*
trol is supported in the foregdng sound political, as well as
logical, remarks, by many of the most distinguished statesmen.
Mr. Pitt for instance, when bringing in his India Bill in 1784
said, in reference to the union of the characters of sovereignst
and traders as peculiarly combined by the East India Conx-
pany, '' this is a matter of mere apeculaiionf which general
experience proves not to be true in practice^ however admitted
in theory/' Henry Ellis, Esq. a member of the present Board
of Commissioners for the affairs of India, whose reputation as
an Indian writer and diplonjtatist stands high in the annals of
his country, supports this opinion, and thinks ^' it would be
most unwise to deal hastily with a system by which such im-
portant benefits are secured to great Britain."*

1 have so frequently expressed my own opinion on this moment-
ous subject, and indeed with a tautology that I am fully aware of
(for which I must plead my apology by the manner in which (
have been enabled to collect and hurriedly arrange the fact9
I have adduced, viz. by devoting night after night to a themq
which I cannot but consider of the deepest national importance,
and which *^ grew upon me'' as I proceeded), that I think 1
cannot better close this chapter and chequer the rather mono-
tonous array of figures and quotations indispensible to a work
of this nature, than by extracting the following highly eloquent,
and strikingly just analysis of the merits of the East India^
Company as sovereigns and as merchants, by the Right Hon-
ourable Robert Grant, in a work entitled, '^ On the Expediency
maintained of continuing the System by which the Trade and
Government of the East India Company are now regulated."
To detract from, or add to, this splendid eulogium would be
almost sacrilege :

^^ At a time when the trade with India was the subject of a
race among the commercial states of Europe, and when j9r«-
occupancy was of the greatest moment, the East India Company
secured to their nation a share of that trade, most valuable in
itself, and still more valuable as including the reversion of
an empire. Assailed by the malignant rivalry of foreign Euro-
peans, with the weapons both of art and arms, sacrificed by their
own monarchs to favouritism and foreign influence, and weighed
down, in common with the rest of their countrymen, by the-

* Tbcf lame opinion is ezpresied by one of the ablest writers oo Cbioese-
affainh— Sir George Staunton.

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118

effects of tbe wars and rerolntioDS that distracted England
during the seventeenth century^ the Company yet preserved
the national station in the Indian trade, by dint of ewtraor-
dinary exertion^ and at an immense expense,

*'The immediate frnits of this traffic to England, were not
only the supplies of desirable commodities, nseful or luxurioas,
for her markets, and the encouragement oflier manufactures^
but also, in a pre-eminent degree, the improcement of her naval
skill and architecture, (for the India Company were the first
British merchants who employed ships of great burden) and
the promotion of her commerce with foreign Europe, by the
re-exportation of the continent of the chief part of the commo-
dities brought from India. At the same time, the Company
made various and large contributions to the national revenue ;
and, in their commercial transactions with the native powers
of India, they established a character for probity and integrity
highly creditable to the English name. During the prosecu^
tion of this trade, they acquired numerous settlements in the
East, which they regulated and governed well. Those estab-
lishments, protected and fostered in their infancy, quickly shot
forth branches in every direction, which, gradually spreading
out and meeting each other, have at length over-canopied
Hindostan. Bat their growth took place under heavy storms.
The ])olitical rapacity of France, who avowedly sought in the
Bast territorial aggrandisement for herself, and the utter debase-
ment or extirpation of the Anglo-Indian name, forced on their
rivals schemes of defensive ambition. From that period the
Company had a new character to sustain, and they sustained it
riumphantly. F^ery moderately assisted by their own mother-
country, from whom they derived little other advantage than
the liberty of recruiting men at their own expense, they
struggled against the French Company, zealously seconded by
the court of Versailles. They hazarded their whole capital
and credit; they expended an immense sum of blood and of
treasure ; and, after a contention of various fortune during
twenty years, succeeded in planting a va^t territorial
dominion on the neck of the prostrated ambition of their
enemies.

" The East India Company have preserved, consolidated,
and extended this dominion, till it at length includes within itself
almost all that the commercial or the ambitious spirit of
Europe has ever grasped at in India ; coverirg at once the
ruins of the French and Danish possessions, the insular and
maritime empires of the Dutch and Portugese, and tbe conti-
nental empire of the Moguls ; and rich, almost without example,
in navigable rivers, accessible coasts, fertile plains, and a
thronged and industrious population.

'^ In this empire they have established, by slow gradations,
indeed, but good government is ever a work of gradation, and
under the superintendence of the legislature, but not without

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eminent exertion on their own part, — ^a system of polity ao eacel"
lent as to compel the approbation even of their enemies ; a
system of great present benefit, and of eoftensive promise.
The numerous civil servants whom tliey employ in the local ad-
ministration, constitute such a hody of puhlic functionaries, as,
for knowledge, industry, and integrity it would probably be,
difficult to parallel on earth. The vast and efficient armies
which they have formed of their Asiatic subjects — the skill, the
courage, and the discipline, to which the Sepoy soldiery has
been trained — the exalted military accomplishments of the
European officers — are subjects of general notoriety and admira-
tion.

*' The possession of the Indian empire is highly advantageous
to the mother country. It opens to her patrican order a spaci-
ous and noble field of employment ; a field in which every talent
may be tried, and every generous species of ambition gratified.
It, in the same proportion, relieves from the pressure of com-
petition the various professional pursuits nearer home ; thus,
generally, raising the rate of profit on the capital stock of the
national genius, wisdom, and enterprise. It more than reimburses,
even in a pecuniary point of view, the outlay of expense on the
persons delegated to the Indian service, by the wealth which
many of those persons bring back to their native land. It
furnishes to the mother country such opportunities and advan-
tages of commerce as she would in vain expect from the same
regions, if they were subject either to the despotism of Asiatic
princes, or to the jealous sway of continental Europeans. It
richly ministers to her reputation, which is her power. Amidst
all the treasures of the greatness of England, perhaps none more
strongly excites the envy of her European enemies than the gem
of her Indian empire. The vast superficial extent and unascer-
tained populousness of those dominions, the magnifying effect
of their remoteness, the recollection of the heroism by which
they have been won and worn, the consecrated memory of the
eminent characters, the chiefs and sages, who have successively
appeared on that romantic scene, and have vanished away — aU
these imposing considerations, mingled with c()tafused but splen-
did images oi naval strength and barbaric opulence, and crowded
together in ia picture whose distance reveals the faded forms of
elder story, the shadows of forgotten autocrats and dynasties
receding into fable — unite to constitute India one of the princi-
pal repositories of the glory of England in the eyes of foreigners,
one of the mansions where her fanie delights to dwell.

^^By the acquisition of empire the Company have not been
induced to neglect the extension and promotion of the com^
merce, manufactures, ship^building, seamanship, and various
other interests of this country. They have improved the intet'-
course of Great Britain with the jealous and capricious
government of China into something like a solid commercial

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cenneaFion. The cUstofM and duties levied on their trade
form one of the etdple reeottrcee of the public revenue. They
have, at varioas peridds, accomodated the publit with large
eutne of money ^ either in the shape of loan, gift, or pecuniary
sacrifice, as the price of a renewal of their privileges. They
have voluntarily afforded other aids to the public, as hy raising
seamen, and equipping ships of war, for the national i\kvf. The
munificent patronage which they have ever affbrded to the
cultivation of those branches of literature that are connected
with the learning or antiquities of India may he mentioned as
another ground on which they arc entitled to the favour of their
more enlightened countrymen.'^ Nor is it to be forgotten that
they have repeatedly conquered the dominions possessed in
India by the European enemies of this country ; which con-
quests have been restored by treaties of peace, for equivalents
conferred on the nation, without any indemnification to that
body at whose expense they had been made,

** What degree of commendation may be due to the Company
on these grounds, it rests With the public to determine ; but, at
least, the mention of their services and achievements cannot be
irrelevant at a period when so much has been said, and said with
less study of accuracy than of effecty respecting their past
misdeeds, and when many appear to decide on the important
question concerning their meritsrct/Aer in obedience to prejudice
and vague clamour^ than from serious, deep, and impartial
deliberation:'

* On thii subject I will merely mention one instance out of many. ^ The
East India Company expended 12,000^ in the publication of Dr. Morrison's
Chinen Dictionary, and this ver^ dictionary is at the preseoft moment em-
ployed by the Japanese as a medium of translation into their own language,
which has the same characters as the Chinese, though the colloquial part is
different. Many similar munificent acts are on record. The sums of money
laid out by the Company iu surveying and exploring the Eastern seas has been
very great, and the efibrts of their servants for the cultivation of Uterature, im-
provement in agriculture, and diffusion of the useful and fine arts, have indeed
Ken extraordinary.

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CHAPTER VI.

Pbbsent State of Affairs at Canton.

According to the principles of political economistSy no
people can be more decidedly anti-commercial^ or act more at
Tariance with the dictates of common sense, than the Chinese
and their government ; for they not only confine their Euro-
pean maritime trade to one port, hut they also place it in the
hands of a few individuals, while extortion, bribery, and ca-
price, form the leading characteristics of their mercantile po-
licy ; at least, such is the testimony of all the British free
merchants residing in China, in their petition to the House of
Commons in June last, and from which I have made extracts
at pp; 64, 65t, and 90. How are the statements in that peti-
tion to be reconciled with the evidence given to the late Select
Committee ; for if we believe thd petitioner's complaints, a
tribe of Esquimaux, of New Zealanders, cojild not poeeibly
exhibit more barbarous rules of intercourse with frieddly stran-
gers, or stand mote Completely in the way of their own pecu-
niary interests : for instance, *^ they (the Chinese) eubjeet /o*
reignere to treatment to which it would he difficult to find a
parallel in any part of the world /" — ^^ they make no distinc-
tion between manslaughter and murder^ as applied to foreign*
ersy* — ^the '^ go>vemment withholde from foreigners the pro*
iection of its, laws, and its power is felt only in a system of
unceasing oppression, pursued on the avowed principle of con-
sidering every other people as placed mlmy degrees below its
own in the scale of humaa beings,'^ — *' bribes are openly de*
fnanded by low unprincipled men, who possess an arbitrary
power of levying the import duties on goods," — ^^ the govern-
ment is arbitrary amd corrupt,''— ^and the '^ local authorities at
Canton a venal and corrupt class of persons, who impose se*

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vere burdens upon commerce," &c. Now how are these
charges to he reconciled with the following ealoginms passed
on the Chinese : —

'^ The Chinese are eminently intelligent, active, and, com-
merciar (Crawfurd). " A perfectly comn^ercial people'
(RickardeJ, " Of very great commercial enterprize" (Stew*
art). '^ Are much disposed to caltivate foreign trade''
(Brown). " Friendly to commercial intercourse" (Milne J,
" Aware of the advantages of foreign trade'* (Coffin). "Are
more eager to trade with foreigners than with any other peo-
ple" (Hutchiason). " Extremely desirous to carry on trade
with Europeans (Davidson). " Very fond of foreign trade"
(Bates and Deans), " Their commercial propensities are
stronger than those of any other people" (Maxwell). " In-
clined to huy any thing at all useful of any description"
(Machie). It is difficult I say to reconcile the latter testimony
with that of the British unincorporated merchants residing at
Canton. The truth is, Mr. Rickards, Mr. Crawfurd, and their
coadjutors^ in their eagerness to make out a case, overstepped
the mark, — ^little considering that at the moment they were
giving such flattering descriptions of the Chinese, and their
excessive anxiety for foreign commerce, and for purchasing
^^ any thing and every thing, ^^ new commercial regulations
were heiug promulgated at Canton, of such an onerous na-
ture, that the English free merchants resident there (not
content with the expressions used in their petition), declare,
that " they cannot submit to them,'' — that ** the co-esis-
tence of trade and the enforcement of the regulations is
impossible, '* — ^that " they are so subversive of commerce as
actually to strike at the basis on which it is founded," — and
that "the adoption of these regulations would certainly make
life miserable, and property insecure !" And while these
proceedings were going on, the people in the neighhourhood
of Canton were hurning the Manchester cotton twist in the
highways, and threatening with death any person who ex-
posed it for sale ! The fact is, that the majority of wit-
nesses whose names have heen just given, have either never
been in China at all, or merely visited one port in the whole
empire, as captains of ships, during the trading season ; bat
if attention be directed to the testimony of Mr. Davis, who
resided many years in China, paid great attention to the lan-
guage and uistitutions of the country, and travelled for six

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months through the interior of the empire to Pekin^ a true
description of the Chinese character will he seen minutely de-
picted. Mr. Davis was asked> '^ Is the foreign trade consi-
dered of real importance to the Chinese^ or is their govern-
ment independent of it V* Answer : — ^^ I should think their
government is as independent of if aa that of any country
in the world: they have hesides a decided objection to an
increased intercourse with foreigners^ and diminish as much
as possible their intercourse by laying heav.y duties upon fo-
reign manufactures ;" — " the institutions of the country are
built on the maxims of their great philosopher^ Confucius ;
and it was a leading precept of his to anoid intercourse with
foreigners (* to despise foreign commodities/ — these are his
words). The sacred books of the Chinese are diflFerent from
the sacred books of most other countries ; they are not so
much religious works as treatises on ethics and on govern-
ment ; and so long as the Chinese venerate those books^ so
long will the institutions built upon those books remain more
or less unchanged'* Such being the actual state of the
people and the government^ it is not to be wondered at, that
frequent interruptions have taken [place in the foreign com-
merce of. China, Before the trade became extensive, they ad-
mitted Europeans to dififereut harbours, but now they shut
them out from all but one^ and interdict the Russians trading
by seay because they have the privilege to do so by land i
and it would be contrary to the well-known cunning and ge-
neral deep policy of the people and the government, to find
them permitting any thing which might tend to hazard the in-
tegrity of the empire, or disturb social relations which have
existed from time immemorial.* Two great stoppages of
trade have taken place of late years, viz., in 1814 and in
1821 : the former originated with the Company ; the latter
with the Chinese. It is unnecessary to enter into a detail of
them at present, but it may be observed, as so much obloquy
has been cast on the Company's servants by Mr. Crawfurd,
for the exercise of the power entrusted to them for the ge-
neral good, that Mr. Davidson, who was one of the greatest
sufferers by both the stoppages, says, that ^^ he believes tho
stoppage of 1814 to have been perfectly unavoiiabh " that

♦ Vide Appendix C, Regulation the first, in which, the Chinese govern-
ment ad?ertfl to the increased resort of foreigners, as a reason for being more
strict I

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io 1821, ^* the Free trade ships did load and depart quietly,
at a time when it seemed to be pretty universally considered,
that the Company's ships would have been forced to assume
a hostile attitude pending a reference to England f* and
IVfr. Stewart, who has been frequently to China, is of opinion
that if the trade were open, it woqld be necessary to vest a
simllai power in a body constituted at Canton, as that now
possessed by the Select Committee of the East India Com-
pany.

The commencement of the recent disturbances in China will
be best understood by the following extract from the Canton
Begister, a journal published vs^ English, edited by a gentle-
man not in the Company's service, and as far as practicable, aa
advocate for mo^e extensive intercpurse. with China*

We regret to iinDQunee tbe interruption of the fvoo4 vodenUndiog
subsisting between tbe Canton government and the British factory,
owing to a eoune of outrageous eottduet on the part of the iu^vidual who u,
Umporarily, at the head of it, during the absence of Oovemor Le, in sup*
pressing the insurrection of the Hainan mountaineers.

Most fortunately for British interests, tbe firm bearing of tbe new
Committee kept the Chinese in ebeck for a time ^ and it was hoped that
it had proved cpmpletely successful in averting tbe evil consequeoces
from which, in the first instapce, none were sanguine enough to antici*
pate that we could escape. But tbe recoil has at length come, however
Qjffefuihf guarded ii^ainft, «u H eertainly hat been by those in ehargaofkh^ Com-
pany*s affairs.

The case of the unfortunate Woo-Yay, managing partner ofHow-qua's
Hofigk is the first topic adverted to in the Committee's circular*
This innocent man ba^ fallen a victim to the envy of bis IbUow mer*
cliants, and tbe malice of tbe Governor, who gained their object by
febely alleging that be held a traitorous intercourse with the English,
t^e proof of wbich consisted in bis having procured for one of them a
sedan chair. He was imprisoned (as related (n our former number) in
November last, was tried for his life, threatened with torture^ and sen-
tenced to banishment to Ele, but died on tfie fifst of this mPJ^th, from
the rigours of a winter's imprisonment, and mental anxiety, operating
on a feeble frame. While tbe proceedings against him were still pending
— ^wbile a hope eiilsted of his engaging the governor*s venality in his
favour, or that a sense of justice would arrest tbe iniquitous prosecution
— it is obvious that any interference or remonstrance on the subject
would ooK have bad tbe eflfect of ineroaaiog Iha chanees against bis lilby
find would be assumed b^ bis enemies as ^diticmal evidence of Euilt,
Now that prosecution has done its worst, while his ikte is held but as a
wamiKg to oiher merehanH agakut dealing teith the Xf^uA, the same motivea
for silence, from the apprehension of possible i^Mry to bim, no longer
exist. And it can require but little consideration to come to the con-
elusion, tha$ en acquietcenea in the imprmion whteh tueh proceedings miisl
produce on the mind*^' the, Chinese, mtiM (e alike n^urio^s fe wUwaai ^koffopHw
and individual int^ests.

The forcible entry of the Compaay's fhctory, which was the immediate
occasion of bringing to light tbe evil passions that bad been brooding,
tqp\i. pl^ce, very nDOX|^ctedly» on the iS[th instant, abont seven o'clock

iu tbe morning. It is said, that even the Hoppo had no previous

knowledge of what was intended, when the Foo-yuen called nt hi*

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185

residJ^DQe^ with SQO.ot 300 aitondanU, to request that be wouU aceom^.
paR> him to the factory. On entering the Public Hall, the Foo-yuea
direet^that the portraits, with wbieh it was decorated, should he uncover^,
and wktn Aat ef King George IV, toot potuted out to him, he dieliberatefy ordered
the back of' his chair to be turned to it, and seated himself in a manner plmtUy
indicating contempt. This manoBUirre, however unimportant in itself, is
fiir frpm immaterial* with refereoce to its obvious motive, more par-
ticularly when it is considered that so Chinese^ without performing nine
prostrations (in lieu of which our ambassador was required to perform
nine obeisances) can approach even the curtain before the portrait of
bis owQ sovereign.

To those unacquainted with the locale, it may be here necessary to
expUio, that after the fire in 1882, the rubbish removed from the ruins,
vas made use of by the Chinese to advance the bank of the river, im-
mediately above the Company's factory over a mud flat, partlv dry at
low water This of course occasioned an increased deposit of mud in
ffont of the factory, which so obstructed the approach of boats to the
bank, that it became necessary to push out the quay about forty yards
over the flat. And the enclosing walls, from the factory to the river
(previously eaisting), were extended over the ground thus saved, with the
exnresf ^tnction rf the authorities* Two years ago, a part of the space wa&
laid out as a shrubbery.

The work of destruclion commenced next day, and Is, we believe,
ViQiw completed, by the exertions of about 500 Chinese labourers, work-
ing day and night, whop not prevented by the rise of the tide.

The excavated rubbish has been conveyed in boats to about 50 yards
off, and (strange to say) there thrown into the middle of the river, as if
to show, ibvii, far from wishing to clear the bed of the river, insult alone woe
the object in view.

It is difficult to account for this violence of conduct, which is consi^
dered^ by the Chinese thtmselves, as outrageous and improper in the highest
degree. Some think it is grounded on orders from Peking, not yet
divulged. Possibly, it may have been a scene got up by the Foo-yuen,
to strike terror into the minds of foreigners, and reconcile them the
more readily to the new regulations of trade (issued a few days after-
wards), of which a translation will appear in our next.* It is impossible
lor us to conceal that the present rupture is considered by fkr lAe matt
eeriotts that Has cflale occurred; nor is it «a«^ to foresee how a recondUa^
tion can he brought aboutf unless the tried moderation and superior ex-
perience of Governor Le should induce him to disapprove of what has
been done, in his absence, by hia hot-headed deput)(. It is to be hoped
the orders from Peking are not so imperative as to preclude him from
actfng on his own judgment, and that be may have disoerament to per-
peive the perilous situation in which recent acts have placed the continu-
ance of the amicable relations between the two countries ; and, ev^ntu-
(1%, th€ %er^ extetenee of the trade,-- Canhm Register, May, isai.

The whole ef the foregoing' article is important, more espe-
eially ds the opponents of the Company have been loud in their
prame of the Canion Register for the true details of Chinese
affairs which it affords them* To this opinion I cordially suh-
scrihe ; hut I cannot help thinking the editor evinced more zeal
than discretion in pahlhhing the petition to the House of Com-
mons fk'om the unincorporated merchants, as its language must
have heen far from soothing to the pride of the Chinese autho-
rities, and ad the present outrage seems to have heen ^'some time
* Vide Appendix C.

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concocting/* the publication of so obnozions a series of cliarges
against the Canton authorities was not improbably the grand
provocative stimalns to ontrage, particularly as the insertion
of the petition in the Register was followed up by a series of
articles equally violent in language, condemnatory in style^ and
full of hostile insinuations and threats.

1st. The present dispute has not been caused by the East
India Company's servants^ as stated in the Times newspaper by
an individual who, as I said before, has never been in China,
and who cannot write a line on Eastern affairs without dipping
his pen in gall and falsehood. The Register says it is *' owing
to a course of outrageous conduct on the part of an individual
who is temporarily at the head of the government;'* that ^^the
firm bearing of the Company's servants kept the Chinese in
check for a time ;" and that " the recoil was carefully guarded
against by those in charge of the" Company's affairs,"

2nd. The old story about the Chinese paying no respect to the
Company, because they are not the King's servants^ is shown
to be absurd, by the treatment the picture of his Britannic
Majesty received^ than which a greater insult could not be
offered to royalty, according to Chinese etiquette.

Srd. The allegations in the Times that the Company's servants
had encroached on the river, is shown to be as untrue as any
other of the statements so sedulously put forth by an enemy
who seems to pay an equal regard to truth and untruth. The
CMnese themselves made use of the rubbish which remained
from the great fire in 1822 *^ to advance the bank of the river
over a mtidfiat partly dry at low water ;" and with the " eo?-
press sanction of the authorities," the walls with which the
Chinese compel the factories to be surrounded were extended to
the quay, which it was found necessary to push out over the
flat ! That insult alone was intended, says the editor, and not
the clearing the bed of the river, \a evident from the "excavated
rubbish from the demolition of the Company's factory being
conveyed in boats about fifty yards off, and there thrown into
the middle of the river!"

4th. The nervous anxiety of the Chinese for foreign commerce
is demonstrated by their prosecution of the principal Hong
merchant's partner, even unto death, '^ while his fate is held
out as a warning to other merchants against dealing with
the[English."

5th. That the Company's servants did not wantonly and un-

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reasonably issue a notico for stopping the tradc^ is evident from
the opinion entertained at Canton, where the editor says ^' it
could require but little consideration to come to the conclusion
that an acquiescence in the impression which such proceed'
ings must produce on the minds of the Chinese must be alike
injurious to national character and individual interests.'*
The same opinion is entertained by the British merchants at
Canton in their petition to Parliament, which the following
extract therefrom will prove : —

"Your petitioners entertain a firm belief that much may ite offtainedfrom
the fears, but that nothing will ever be conceded by the good xoill of the Chinese
govemm.nt. In confirmation of this opinion the attention ofyour Honour-
able House need only be entreated to the total failure of both the em-
bassies to the court of Peking in every respect, except the high principle
iwhich was maintained in the refusal to acquiesce in humiliating and de-
grading requisitions ; which, your petitioners are convinced, produced
a moral effect of the most beneficial tendency upon the minds of the
Chinese.

*< The result of the two British embassies, in common with those of all
other European governments, will forcibly suggest to your Honourable
House, how little is to be gained in China by any of the refinements of diplomacy*

<<Tbe whole history of the foreign intercourse \vith this country de-
monstrates that a firm opposition to the arrogance and unreasonoble pretensions
cf its government, even with impetfect means, has, sooner or later, been followed
by an amicable and conciliatory disposition. While the Portuguese of Macao
maintained their independence, they were treated by the Chinese govern-
ment with respect, and carried on an extensive and advantageous com-
merce ; but when they adopted a servile course of policy, they wero
regarded with contempt, and a flourishing colony has gradually sunk
into misery and decay. Even violence has frequently received friendly treat-
ment at the hands of this government, while obedience and conformity to
its arbitrarv laws have met only with the return of severity and oppres-
sion. In the history of English commerce with China, many instances
of this description exist. When Admiral Drury, in compliance with the
reiterated commands of the Canton government, yielded up possession
of Macao, which for several months had been garrisoned by a British
force, the most contumelious and threatening proclamations were issued
against him ; and he was declared to have fled from a dread of the pu-
nishment which awaited him. About the same period, after a horde of
pirates, well known by the name o£" Ladrones," had, for a succession of
years, ravaged the southern coasts of the empire, and committed nume-
rous atrocities, their leader, a man of bold and determined character, was
received in person by the Viceroy with every mark of respect, invested
with a robe of honour, and ultimately nominated to an important oflicial
situation."

In reference to the stoppage of trade, arising from the indis*

criminating laws of the Chinese, as applied to foreigners, the

same petition observes — ^^ It is much to the honour of the

British factory that, since the year 1784, when an innocent

man was seized and executed by the government of Canton, a

firm and effectual resistance has 'been made against the e«-

forcement of this unjust requisition, though such resistance

has invariably given rise to suspension of commercial inter^

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course and long protracted diaeuMons iloiih the government,^**
When the outrageons attack on the factory was made^ the
gentlemen composing it were at Macao, the busiaess of the
season having terminated , two members of the Select Committee
and the secretary were instantly dispatched to Canton on receipt
of the intelligence, and delivered to the Hong merchants, la
full meeting, remonstrance^ to the government, and offered the
keys of the Company's premises ; the Hong merchants Were,
however, afraid to present the one or receive the other ; but
the Quang-heep, k military officer of some rank, who usually
receives petitions at the city gates, having visited the Company's
garden, Mr. Lindsay took the opportunity of placing the doCu*
ments and keys in his possession, the latter in a sealed cover,
addressed to the Foo-yuen.or deputy governor, which were
refused, t

There being no mode of bringing the authorities at Canton to
a sense of propriety, the Select Committee isisued the fbllowing
notice, in doing which they were warmly supported by the un-
incorporated merchants.

Notice of Stopping the British Trade with China.

Several recent acts of the Cbinese Goycrnment have cooipelled
the President and Select Committee to intimate to the authorities
in Canton, that while exposed to them, it is impossible that commercial
intercourse should continue and to acquaint the British community that
unless the evils complained of were removed, or security against their
recurrence obtained, such intercourse would of necessity be suspended
on the 1st of August next.

The acts of the Chinese Government which the Select Committee have
adopted as the grounds of this proceeding are the following: —

The seizure, close impristmment, and eubxequent death of a Ilong mer"
chant f his alledged crime being his *' traitorous connexion*' wUh the
English, No association ever did take place with this merchant^ exceji»t of
an extensive commercial naturcy and in his mercantile dealings he proved
himself an intelligent and most industrious man.

The recent attack made upon the British factory in Canton by their
Excellencies the Foo-yuen and Hoppo (in the absence of the Governor,
the principal officers of the Canton government), accompanied by a
numerous body of armed attendants, without anv previous intimation of
their intentions ; the forcible entry of the pubUc hall of the factory ; the
abandonment of the factory by all Chinese servants, who fled under the

greatest alarm; the tearing down qf the King of England?s picture^
which was otherwise treated with irtdignity ; the thre<Uening the senicr
Hong merchant with imprisonment and death, and the compelUng Iwm and

others who were present, to remain for upwards qf an hour upon their
knees, on account of their ecnnexUm with the English ; the seizure of the
senior linguist, who was thrown into chains in the Company's hall, and

* The Americans, notwithstanding the examples of th^ past, gave up
poor Terranova to be strangled, and then they were permitted to re-
commence their trade !

t Vide Appendix D.

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IS9

ofden were gwen fv/f hi» execution, which wai only tuepended on the
repeated interceesion of the Hoppo and Hong merchants, when hie was com-
mitted to prison } thehredhingdownnf the gates of the factory leading to
the river, and destruction of the quay, huUt by the express sanction of the
Governor of Canton; the demolition qflhe waU$t the uprooting of trees,
and general devastation tfthe property.

The death of the Hong merchant above stated, and the occur^nees
briefly mentioned, have taken place since the commercial business of
the season was concluded In perfect tranquillity, and while the President
and Select Committee were residing at Macao, resolute in their
determination to leave no means in their power untried to preserve
a pacific intercourse with this country. Two members of the Select
Committee proceeded to Canton to seek redress from these acts of the
Oovernment. Iheir remonstrance htu been unattended to, and the
demolition of the Company's property is going forward, the natives em-
ployed at work during the night. Further intimation has been givmi
to the Select Committee that these were only the commencement of a
coarse of proceedings of a similar character ; and a proclamation has
been received by them, issued in the name of the principal officers of
the Canton Government, interdicting the tmployment of native servants^
and the presentation of petitions at the city gates ; precluding all com^
munication with Canton by means of foreign boats, and ordering bodies of
Chinese soldiers to act as a guard on the ships at anchor at Whampoa,
The proclamation is accompanied by a threat, that should foteigners
decline submitting to the commands" of the Crovemment, they will be
expelled from the country, and for ever prohibited from coming to Canton
for the purposes of commerce.

The Select Committee abstain from adverting to minor grievances ;
the foregoing they regret to think are more than sufficient to justify
them in the course which they are compelled to pursue. They will
deem it their duty immediately to communicate the slate of affairs in
this country to the Supreme Government of India. Tbey refrain from
attempting to characterize the acts which tbey complain of. Under the
influence of the most pacific disposition, their present decision is the
result of calm and deliberate consideration. Thev feel confident in the
support of the Court of Directors of the East-india Company, who,
guided by maturejudgement, will discern that the credit and security
of their commerce cannot, under such circumstances, be maintained ;
and should an appeal be made to his Mfgestj's Government, they are
equally confident that British national character and commercial interests in
China, will he too plainly been to he inseparably associated to admit of the possi-
bility of their being with safety disunited,
. Published by order of the President and Select Committee,

R. HuDLESTON, Sec.
British Factory, Macao, May 20, 1831.

The foregoing able document speaks for itself ; it proves that
the Select Committee were actuated by a high aud noble feel
ing^ snob as ought ever to influence the proceedings of English-
men^ and they jastly thought that the ** British national cha~
racier and commercial interests in China are too insepara ly
associated to admit of the possibility of being safely disuni ted.
Where is the grovelling wretch whose sordid soul throbs bat a^
the anticipation of immediate increased wealth, and who would
sacrifice kith and kin, and individual integrity as well as national
honour, for the one eternal all-absorbing idea of augmenting

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180

etporti 6f ttytton at tire expeme <of tlie health ani oMrmls ^
tbottsandB of laiserable iDfants — wliere^I ask^is the bdng calfing
bitnself ao fingiiehnaii that does aot^or dares sot, respead to
the ennobliDg aeutimetits conveyed in the abov« notice I In the
language of '* The €wr%e of Minerva" I laay say —

<< Ib Britain's iiyiired name,
•A true-born Briton may tho deed disclaim-^
***** .EngloMdwomkimnotr*

Were the servants of the East India Company left unsup-
ported by their countrymen in China ? IHd the Englisfa au^r-
QhantSy who cany on a trade with Canton of upwards of
£5,000)000 sterling, did they think the Select Committee had
used the power of stopping the trade entrusted to them pre^
nuntitrely or improperly ? By no means : the very reverse ;
in the following resolutions which they published, they maa-
fiiUy *' deeired to express their unequivocal approval of the
fneasuree adopted by the Select Commiiteey cenndering them
conducive to the g-enerai interests of British commerce with
China !" But, lege, — lege.

Megolutiom qfthe British Unincorporated Merchants of Canton, "SOth of
Mayt 1^1. — The undersigned, British subjects resident in Canton, hav>
ing seen the recent acts cf aggression committed by the Chinete on the
properly qfthe Honourable East India Company, and witnessed with deep
regret the crael treatment and death of an innocent Hong merchant, on
the false charge of traitorous connection with the Snglish; aodtho
Viceroy and Hoppo having now communicated to them a new andoligec-
tioBable code for the future regulation of the Commerce of Canton, they
have unanimously resolved—

1. That the statement, published by the Presideuft and Select -Com^
mittee* of the grounds upon which the^r have come to the determination
of stopping the trade (should satisfaction for past and security againrt
future aggressions not begranted by the Chinese authorities), enumerates
only a part of the vexatious exactions unceasingly made upon Europeam
commerce in this country,

3. That the new code of regvlationB for foreign commerce, recently
submitted to the £mperor for his approval, in place of alleviating, tend$
materially to aggravate the evUs of the arbitrary and obnoxious styttem
^nderMfhich commBrcial intercourse with China has been hitherto -with dffi-
culty carried on. That the mere fact of such regulations having been
promulgated, would not produce muoh impression on the minds of the
■undersigned, it being well known that the Chinese authorities issue laws
which they never mean to enforce ; but when this code, now delivered to
all the merchants in Canton, is joined to the fact of the violent entry of
the Company's factoor, the demolition of their propertv, the gratiritoos
insult odered to the picture of the King of England, and particularly the
refusal of the local government to receive any remonstrances or address
i^otn the Hon. Company's servants, a deliberate pUn to oppress ami degraOt
British sulfjects is clearly manifested ; to endure which, in silence, would prmm
.them deservmg of even the intuits they are exposed to,

3. They therefore feel it their duty to remonstrate with the memhora
of the Chinese government, and to appeal to their own country, against
yielding to the caprice of the local authorities, convinced as they are

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131

tbat, ftir Mm ulliiinta benefil and mcnt^j of oowneroe, it w^reoTen
better to rosart to extreme oraaftores of resistance, than to reoder th^
trade, each year, mert pnearious and uuproduetht ftjf tu^HHng to inettatmL
eMctioM, nmtinmi injury, and estutantli^ reewrr'm^ petty dUpniet with tk§ ff-
viiMiai gonemm^nt a^' Canton.

4. Tbat the refasal of the local aathorities to receive anj eoamniiiei;-
tioD from the President and Select Committee, thus preventing all amir
cable acljustment of existing differenees, renders it advisable to adopt
the most decisive steps, if Great Britain wish to retain any beneficial
commercial intercoaise witii China, it being' apparent from the whole
hiatory of foreign intercourse with this empire, since Captain WaddeH,
with a single merchant vessel, in the middle of the 17th century, took
possession of the Bocca Tigris Fort, till Sir Murray Maxwell, in recent
times, silenced the same fort by a single broadside, from the AUetU, that
JirwmeaMf retigtanee, and even acta of violence^ have ahoaye tueeeeded in pro^
ducing a epirit qf coneiliation, while tame submission has only had the
effect of indnoing still further oppression.

5, Tbby thbbbfobb desibb to express their unsquivocai. approval
OP tub mbasurbs lately adopted bt the Select Committee, comsidbr-
iNO tbem conducive to tbb general interests op British Commerce

WITH this country.

(Signed) W. Jardine, Jas. Matheson, A. P. Boyd, Jas. H. Rodger9,
Qeorge Horback, James Uberj , A. Saunders Keating, Alexander Ma-
theson, T. C. Beale, A. Grant, R. Turner, James Innes, P. P. Robertson,
W. H. Harton, C. Fearou, John C. Whiteman, F. Hollingworth, John
Templeton, H. Wright, Henry S. Robinson, J. Henry.

I trust that oa a perasal of these important docaments, tbe
Editors of the periodical press will abstain from giving cur-
rency to the calumnious assertions of anonymous partizans^
an<i that they will support the efforts of their countryman in a
distant hemisphere, while endeavouring to extend the fame,
the commerce^ and above all, the honour of the British
nation.

On th^ publication of the new regulations of trade (Vide
Appendix C)> the following spirited remonstrance from the
unincorporated merchants was addressed to the Canton au-
thorities ; — X have repeatedly referred to it in the former pages
of this work, and now insert it with a view to its being seen
entire, and to shew the unanimity of feeling between the East
India Company and the free traders.

RbM0N8TBANC£ from THE BRITISH FrBE TrA1>ER«I AT

Canton against thb Acts of ths Chinese Go-
vernment.
To His Excellency the Foo-yuen or Canton (and the Hoppo.)
A respectful address from the separate English Merchants, Jardine,
Innes, &c. now residing here.

I. On the 10th day of the 4th moon of the present year, a code of
reeuUttions, concerning the trade with foreigners, prepared under the auspices
of your Excellency, and submitted for the approval of the Emperor of
China, was delivered to us by tbe Hong-merchants ; and we have since
received His Imperial Migesty's approval of the same.
3. Many of thme regulations are directly contrary tojustruu and moral ftness,

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132

wbicli your ExceUeocv and the Cbineie Empire have bitlierta Md to bo

the right rales ofcODdacty and are ao tubveniM of eowtmeree, at aetuaUy to
itrike at the very batit on which it it founded, Tiz. reciprocal wants, recipro-
cal advantages, and equal freedom. In your report to the Emperor^
jou state many of them to have gone into desoetnde ; and from m
minute knowledge of trade, which is our profession, we bog to assore
your Excellency, that the cause of their having done so is from no
relaxation of duty on the part of the local officers, hot from the impotd'
bility of the eo^exittence oftrade^ and the enforcement oftuch regulatimu,

d. On these grounds, we consider it a duty, as well to ourselves, as to
Our distant constituents, who have commercial dealings with this empire
to represent to your Excellency, that it is impottibU to tubmit to the pro-
poaed CodCt againat whieh we beg here retpeetfuUy, but firmly to protett,

4. We cannot but complain that the whole tenor ^ the regulatimu- ts
ur0utt, and highly offentive to thefeelingt of foreigners, in repeatedly aeeusi$ig
them of traitorous intercourse with natives— nn accusation which is notoriously
false ; and for a refutation of which, we need only refer to the regula-
tions themselves, in which it is admitted that ''we have remained at
Canton for many years, transacting business with mutual tranquillity."'

6. In these regulations, it is stated that ** the Hong-merchants are to
goveru and control foreigners," who arc, "not to be allowed to remain at
Canton tojind out the price of goods, to make purchases, and acquire profit** —
nor, " of their own accord, to go in and out of the foreign factories.^' Wo
have always understood that Hong-merchants wore appointed for the

fiurpose of carrying on commereiaT dealings with foreigners, on fair,
iberal, and honourable terms— and it is quite incompatible with this
object that either of the contracting parties should be under the orders
of the other, since commerce cannot be carried on^ unless when the buyer and
teller are able to treat on a footing of perfect equality, Miireover, it is com-
pletely at variance with the ancient practice of the Chinese Empire,
r which permitted foreigners to enter the city for the purpose of communi-
cating personally with the Mandarins, on affairs connected with trade
and the government of foreigners.

6. The ground on which the factories in Canton are built, within which
we live, is the property of the Hong-merchants, by whom they are let to
us at an annual rent, and, for the time we so bold them, we are justly
entitled to protection for ourselves and our property. In former times,
it was the custom for armed sailors to come up from Whampoa, for the pur-
pose of protecting these factories ; but many years (M* entire protection of
property by the vigilance of the Government, have put this practice into
disuse. Moreover, in the year 1814, the Governor guaranteed the inviola-
bility of the foreign factories. Now, a recent attack on theproperty andfaetoriee
of the English East India Company, which was not oniyabreach of the engagement so
made, but an act of absolute hostiltiy, has destroyed the confidence we felt, aiid
proved to ue that the Hong merchants have not the power to protect us. Unless
this outrage be redressed, we may, most reluctantly, be compelled to resort
to the old and troublesome custom of bringing up armed sailors for our safety*

7. In article 8 of the code of regulations, your exceUency is pleased
to prohibit us from approach in numbers to the city gate, for purposes
of petition ; we beg to observe, that the right of foreigners to present
petitions at the city gate is established by old custom. Our reason for
going thither, in bodies of more than one or two, is for protection against
the violence of the police officers and soldiers at the gate, who have the audacity
to attack those coming for Justice to your Excellency with abuse and even blowe ! I

8. We, in the most respectful, yet earnest manner, approach your
Excellency with the strongest hopes of redress of grievances, and future
protection of property. We ask your Excellency, things strictly con-
sistent with the reciprocal rights of friendly nations engaged in com-
mercial relations; andws protest and afpeai. to the Emperor against

THE ADOPTION OF RULES WHICH WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE LIFE MISEBABLB,
AMD FaOFBfRTY XNSECUBX*

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[Here follows tbe signatures of the British Unincorporated Merchants.]

Wiliiam Jardine, James Matheson, James H. Rogers, George Horback,

James Ilbery, Arthur S. Keaiiog, Alexander Matheson/r. C. Beale, R. Turner,

James Innes, W. H. Harton, C Fearon, John C. Whiteman, F. Holling-

worth, John Templeton, H. Wright, Henry S. Robinson.

What a direct contradiction the foregoing offers to the flip-
pant testimony of the majority of the English and American
witnesses before Parliament, and which, if the present rupture
had not occurred would ])robably have been made the ground
for changing the system of the China trade ? It is a striking
instance of the absolute necessity of receiving with the greatest
caution the farrago of free trade nonsense which a few impos-
tors and quacks are desirous of forcing down the throats of all
nations, nolens volens, and who deem those who have built up
the British power to its present height, as no better than a
herd of senseless asses who were ignorant of the principles of
political economy ; a truly useful science which its very advo-
cates have brought into disrepute by their absurd applioation
of its rules to every stage of society, and without any regard
to the wants or desires of a people.

The following answers to the remonstrances were received
from the Foo-yucn and Hoppo.

The Foo-yukn's Reply.
'^Choo, acting governor and Foo-yuen of Canton, to the Hong mer-
chants. A petition has now been received from the English private
merchants Jardine, Innes, and others, sayings,"

(Here follows a copy of the Remonstrance.)
''This coming before me, the Foo-yuen, I have examined the subject,
and decide as follows: Barbarians of all nations, who come to the open
market at Canton to trade, ought to yield implicit obedience to the
interdicts and orders of the Celestial Empire. But the said nations,

' barbarian merchants, some time ago, in consequence oT geeking a diminu-
tion qfcharaeg, procrastinated and delayed entering the port They also
clandestinely brought foreign females to reside in the factories ; and by

' stealth conveyed muskets and guns to Canton. These doings were reaHy

' criminal acts of opposition.

*' Soon after this, the minister and governor Le stated to his Mtgcsty
the old regulations, together with some modifications, which were de-
cided on in council, and solicited and received an imperial order, direct-
ing that barbarians, after they had completed the sale of their goods,
should not remain in Canton to find out the prices of commodities, and
form connexions with the natives. The object was to make the Hong
merchants responsible for the control of the barbarians, and to prevent
their bringing foreign females, guns, and arms, to Canton. Also to dis-
allow taking many persons to present a petition. Of all these regulations
now enacted, most of them, from length of days, had become the usage,
and all the barbarians of the several nationsknowingly obeyed and adhered
to them.

<< Now these barbarian merchants alone presume to say, that these re-
gulations and commerce cannot go on together ; and that the control of
Hong merchants does not agree with old usage, and in a whining manner
dun with their petitions. Going thus far is already false and wild. But

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tbe> procued talalk about an abropt entrance into Hie Compaftj'silustorj
a few dajFS ago*

'< I, tbe Foo-yueD» daring the first decade of the fonrtb moon, went ip
nerson to tbe Company's factory, to examine and manage an affair. Tba,t
factory is on the ground of the Provincial City, and is under my jnrU-
diction. Not only will I go in person, but if the said barbarians auda-
ciously presume to act irregularly without due fear, / will, a$ I ought,
alto tttke troops with mtf, and open a iliMndtring ftre upon them, J wUl
do so without feeling the least possible anxiety ^ or regard to eonsequences.

"As to what is said about the barbarians going to the city gate with
petitions, and the soldiers for no causa chastizing and abusing them, it
IS still more unreasonable. That which they affirm in their petition is
manifestly to gloss over a falsehood.

**• To snm up the whole. Of late many of Uie barbarians ofthat natioti
have understood what was proper ; and there are not a few also of such
as Jardine and Innes.* There is no doubt that their conduct arises
from the adulation and flattery of the Hong merchants, together with
the mischievous suggestions of lii^aists and compradores, with whom
they are connected.

** If they (Jardine, &c.) do not reform themselves, they will moat
certainly become the injured Cor niioedj victims of those people.

** Uniting t^ above circumstances, I hereby issue an order to the Hong
merchants, to proceed immediately, and rigorously enjoin the barbarian
merchants, Jardine and others, that hereafter they most, as they ought,
implicitly obey the regulations now established. Let them quietlj keep
in their own sphere, and carry on trade and barter. If th^ again dare
intentionally to disobey the orders of government, and indulge them-
selves in making oonfused (or false) statements, then decidedly there shall
be an immediate and severe infliction of reprehension and expulsion.
And I will take the Hong merchants who did not keep thetti under strict
control, and the linguists and compradores who taught and Instigated
them — one and all, and punish their crimes with a heavy hand. Posi-
tively there shall not be the least clemency or forgiveness shewn* Tremble
at this. A special edict.

" The 11th year, 6th moon, 4tb day.
" (July lath, 1831.)'*

The Hoppo's reply :

" Chung, by imperial appointment, commissioner of customs at the port
of Canton, &c. &e. to the Hong merchants t the said merchants have
presented a foreign petition in Chinese characters from the£ngittfcprtiKrt<
merehmUs Jardine and othert, in which it is stated—"

CHere follows a copy of the Remonstrance.)
'< This coming before me, the Hoppo, and beiuff authenticated, I have
examined, and find from the time the English first came to Canton to
trade till now, a period of more than 100 years, they have, while looking^
up and beholding the (imperial) virtoe and m^jesW, been hitherto called
rcspectnil and obedient; but in the 24*h year of Keen Lung (1759), a
foreign merchant of that nation, Hung-Jin-Hwoy ^the Chinese name
given to Mr. Flint), haviog listened to and followed the seducements of
a Chinese traitor, Len-a-pien, presumed to oppose and violate the pro-
hibition and orders, the imperial will was received to keep Hung-Jin-
Hwuy in close confinement at Macao, and to execute Leo-a-pien. lo
consequonoe of this the then governor Le presented for the imperial
decision five regulations, for restraining and guarding against outside
foreigners, which were established to be obeyed and kept.

*< This year the minister and governor Le, considering that present and

* These are the leading gentlemen of the British unincorporated
Merchants, who presented the Keraonslranoe against tbe Acta of Aggres-
sion«

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IWaer oircttiBstaiicet are JiflerQiit, «i«4e modiiicaiioiM of Ihe same, and
ha? iog fomied ibem into eu^ regiilatioBS, he drew n^p in oooncil a Jiie-
HKMTUU lajripg them before t be £m|ieror, and tbe impeual will bas already
been received, saoctioniJig them ; the said ibrewn merchants ought to
keep implicitly the established usages, and peaceably continue their trade.
'* Lately, the English priTate merchants, Jardine, Innes, and others,
have presented «. petitioii, stating thsAlibe wiiole scope of ibenegula-
tioBs is at Tariance with the principles ofjuslioe^ thus whininglj dis-
puting and contradicting; and also requesting to appeal le the Kmperor
tmM. to permit their hting p«l in practice. This is extreme insoleooe
a»d opposition.

<' The Celestial Jlmpire, in cherishing tenderness to distant foreigners,
has constanthr stooped to Sherw oompmssion; bat heiween ihsflvw^fy
€him^»e ami bcithmrvam ihtre domMeu %m « »mUd dUUnclimi ; Mweem
ihoie within and without there must be established a grand barrier : the
dignity of the great Emperor reqaires obedience and severity ; bow can
the foreign merchants of every nation be suffered to indulge their OWA
wishes in opposition to and contempt of the Jaws? Now as to tbe sub-
jects on which lie, the minister and governor, presented a memorial, a
aeven imperial ediet has been reeeiTed, ordeiinigtbem to be rat in prao*
tioe': if the said foreign merchants wish to disobey, they will not be dis*
obeying Le, the minister and governor, but they will be daring to disobey
the will and commands of tbe grettt Emperor. ,

^ Thus fbpeigtneni are not allowed to bring with them to the foreign
factories at tbe provincial city sailors and guns; this is a regulation long
since established, and not a prohibition 'first made by the minister and
govtersor Le? how can tbe said foreign mercbants, in their intercourse
with the country^ have been ignorant thereof? Iwast year they clandes
tinely brought up cannon, and afterwards repenting immediately took
them back. Tbe great Emperor, whilst extending indulgence to the
BflSt, utterly prohibited it for the future. This was liberality equal to
heaven; but now they make a pretext of defending their property, and
wish to bring up (arms) again as formerly : is it not the fact that tbeir
minds are bent on perverse opposition ? and thus by their own act they

Eut themselves beyond the means of subsistence. Since the said foreigners
now how to defend their property, how is it that they consider the
stoppage to trade, end the entirely cutting off of the means of gaining «
subsistence, andy on the contrary, take a course which will destroy their
property.

- ** Moveover, the affairs of tbe En^^h Company have MI hitherto i«-
yerted to the chief's control; at, present the said chiefs Marjoribanks, is prO'
foundly intelligent^ and actswith great propriety ; the said Jamline, Innes, and
the others, are merely ^yrivate EnglUh vutehmtts, and anr net at uU ernnpanMe
40 the Con^asgy ; bow can ibey act thus irregulatlj, and dun with their
requests ? The petition is in its phraseology proud and witful, in hs language
it is eanfused and enttmgled, and in its^mrrds and ideas there is nasehtkettismat
glearmnd^perspicucue ; mst I indulgently consider that they do not under,
stand proper forms and decorum, and at the same, time do not regard it
worth while to enter into % minute examination and refotittionof them.
" But those who knock'head afihe .gaU rfihe marlcet, mn& eolieit ^eommercial
iutercourse, must obediently keep the royal regulatiotu ; how can those viho cross
the seas to -trade and export, be suffered to act disorderly and create disturbance ?
If'ihe said private tnmvhants really regard their property, they ought iiidsed to
trade ou as usuali but lif they dislike the restraint imposed by the orders
of government, and consider their own private affairs to be disadvan-
tageous, the said pfioate merchants may entirely udthdmw thur trade, and net
trouble themeehes to eomejrom a great distance, through many countries rf dif~
ferent languages : wht/ cause suspicion and impediment to all the merchants, and
oeeasion mudh tatking'1

f * Uniting these tbinga, I forthwith wue this ovder ; when it reaebas
the Hong merchants, let them immediately take the contents of the reply

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made by me* the Hoppo, and eiyoiti them on the said nation's chief, that
he may know and act accordingly, and continue to keep Jardine, Innes,
and others, under strict rettraint, not allowing them to create disturbance,
and again dun with petitions. Intensely ! intensely ! are these special
orders issued."

It seems scarcely possible to treat with becoming gravity
such grotesque specimens of semi-barbariaa insolence. — ^Yet
what is to be done ; when the merchants are told, that '^ if
they dislike the restraint imposed by the orders of Goverf^
menty and consider their own private affairs to he disadvan-^
tageouSf the said private merchants may withdraw their
trade, and not trouble themselves to come from a great
distance!"

The tribute paid to the East India Company in the Hoppo's
reply is worthy of remark, he says " the affairs of the English
Company have hitherto reverted to the chief's controul/' —
that *' Marjoribank's is profoundly intelligent^ and acts with
great propriety/' — and again, that ^* private English mer-
chants are not at all comparable to the Company/'

As for the enraged Foo-yuen, he threatens to ^^open a
thundering fire upon the barbarians/' whom he unceremoniously
designates as ^^ liars," and soforth ! !

The factory having made every effort to procure redress for
the past, and an indemnity for the future, and being of opinioa
that the acts of the local authorities at Canton would not be
supported at Pekin, did as has been heretofore shewn, give
notice of a suspension of intercourse after the 1st of August.
They were corroborated in their opinion respecting the non-
ratification of the Imperial government, by the following pas-
sage in the petition from the free-merchants who state, —
'^ that severe burdens are imposed upon commerce unsanc^
Honed by and frequently in defiance of commands from the
Imperial government at Pekin^ to which the most erroneous
reports are made of occurrences in this remote province,
while no means of counteraction by opposing statements are
in any way afforded to your petitioners/'

As the Emperor of China's personal fees on every foreign
vessel entering Canton amounts to 1,600 tales of silver, it was
natural to suppose that a cessation of this duty would call for
an inquiry into the cause; but as if on purpose to shew the
carelessness of the government for foreign commerce, hifi Im-
perial Majesty not only approved of, and confirmed the pro-
ceedings of the Canton authorities, but denouneed *^ the

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barbarians as being of a deceitful and crafty disposition : '*
and the monarch seems determined to '^ eradicate the dis*
turhance of foreign barbarians, as it teas altogether incum*
dent not lose the celestial empire's respectability in go*
verning ! "

The following is the answer of the emperor, or as the Times
terms him the '^ snub'nosed^savage."

The Emperor of €hina'8 Answer respecting Foreign

Trade.

** he and others have seat a memorial, explaining the old regulations,
designed to guard against foreign barbariaut, and certain modifications,
agreed on in Council, desiring that obedience to the same may bo re-
quired, &e.

" The English foreign merchants recently solicUed a diminution tif/eetf
and on this account delayed entering the port. A^ain, last year, they
clandestinely brought foreign women to the factories, and, by stealth,
«ODTeyed muskets and guns to the city of Canton. Immediately after,
they themselves came to repentance, and did not persevere to the end in
their refractory opposition ; but, the barbarians* disposition being deceit-
/kl and crajty, it is absolutely necessary to carry into effect prohibitions
and orders with severity : and to give importance to guards sel up by old
regulations. Present and former circumstances are not the same ; and
these are thus suitable, or net, according to the times. The said Gover-
nor and others have agreed on certain additions and diminutions to be
generally obeyed and maintained, and have ordered civil and military
officers, soldiers, and police, to be faithful and active in keeping a con-
stant search and guard : also the Hong merchants and Linguists are
required to be faithful and trusty in watching and searching to supply
checks and control.

" It is hereby ordered, that the regulations contained in the eight
paragraphs agreed on in Council, be carried kito effect.

<* The said foreign merchants have, on former occasions, repeatedly
opposed interdicts and orders, bnt since they came of themselves to
repentance, let, through clemency, their punishment be waived. But
it is absolutely necessary to order them to obey, and hold fast the old
regulations. How can it be that they will again oppose and transgress.
Still if they be allowed daily to increase in arrogance andinsolnice; in a
trifling with, and contempt of, the' laws : in indulging their irregular
disposition to perverse refractions, and gradually going to an increased
exhibition of their pride and want of self restraint, what, eventually, will
the appearance of things be ? Let the said Governor, and others be
strict In enforcing our internal customs, and so eradicate the disturbance
of/oreign -barbarians. It is altogether incumbent not to lose the Celes-
tial Empire's respectability in governing. Then the management will
be supremely good. Take this edict, and order it to be known. Respect
this."

In obedience to the Imperial will we send forward this letter.

The above coming to me, Minister and Governor, I forthwith issue
orders requiring obedience thereto. On my orders reaching the Hong-
merchants, let them immediately communicate the orders to the Eng-
lish nation's foreign merchants, and to the foreign merchants of all the
nations, for their reverential obedience thereto.

There has been repeatedly disobedience to interdicts and orders, but
since the parties themselves came to repentance, let through clemency,
their punishment be waived. Hereal^er it will be absolutely necessary
to yield implicit obedience to the laws and regulations of the Celestial

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Empire, vad %6here strictly to old arruipeiiieot. IT mm any dare Co
•ppoae or trsDagresf and again create distoitMUice ; theo atsaredlT an
immediate adberence to tbe ImperiiU will, a BCTere scroti oy shall be
made, and punishment inflicted. I>ecidedly there will not be the least
demeney or fortieanuioe shewn. Tremble at this. Intensely — intensely
are these commads siveo.
Taoa-Kwang, Utb year, 4th moon, 11th day.
(May 23nd, 1831.)

Oo the publication of the foregoing edict, it was evident
that nothing waa to be gained by the stoppage of trade ; the
Imperial Goyemment at Pekin had CTidently followed the
advice given by the Canton authorities in 1821, at the time
of the Topaze's affray, when the Chinese themselves stx>pped
the trade ; the despatch from the governor of Canton to the
emperor, of which the following is an extract, shews that they
are too well aware of the power they possess over the foreign
commerce. ** IFith respect to the Christian foreign mer-
chants, I (says the governor), reasoned with them, and
pointed out to them the great principles of justice and
equity, and shewed it was right for them to do what I
required of them — hut all in vain ; good principles and
solemn truths had no effect upon them, and I was com--
pelled to interdict their trade, — to touch their gainst —
And no sooner was that done than than they submitted! '
7!%ey are a mercefiary, gain scheming, set of adventurers
whom reason cannot rule ; the dread of not making money
is that alone which influences them" — ^Again, the govern-
ment says, and this be it observed is their present, and will be
their future policy — "Me English might be brought to
stoop if tea were refused^ but if they could get the tea any
other way they would be careless about pleasing Chinas —
would indeed despise her — and do as their humours dic^
tated. By tea-reins (said tbe governor to the emperor in
allusion to tbe manage of a vicious horse), your majesty can
controul the English, therefore let us take care that they
get no tea but what we choose to give them ! !

When the select committee saw that the government were
adopting this policy, and that no good would result from their
perseverance in the former notice, they very properly issued
the annexed notification, and appealed to India, and to En-
gland for further advice at such a juncture.

Stopping of Trade Rescinded.

Notice,--'* The President and Select Committee on the 20th ultimo
gave public notice, that < several recent acts of the Chinese Qovern*

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Bi6Dl have compelled them to iatimate to the aathorities In Gantoo,
that while exposed to thorn it is impossible that commercial intercourse
Goold contiDue, and to acquaint the British community, that, unless the
«vi2s complained of were removed or Mecuriijf against their recurrence
obtained, such intercourse would of necessity be suspended on the 1st
of August next.

** Since the publication of this intimation, the evils of which thejr
complained ha?e assumed an altered and more decided character,
being confirmed by an Imperial proclamation from Pekin, directing the
mo0t harassing and restrictive regulations to be imposed upon foreign-
ers, and indirectly countenancing the acts of aggression which have
been committed*

'^The local officers of the Canton government would therefore, if
appealed to for redress, find immediate justification under the sanction
ef imperial authority.

"The President and Select Committee do not intend to suspelid
commercial intercourse on the 1st of August next. Their most aHxiout
vaish it the establishment of that intercourse upon a firm and respectable basis,
which object they feel, under existing circumstances, they wi/1 best
aooomplish by waiting the result of the measures which they have
adopted, and the references they have made. They are bound to consult
the deep and valuable interests entrusted to them, and in doing so, they have
made every sacrifice of personal feeling to what they consider public duty.

" Their property in Canton remains inthesame state rf devastation ; they have
received no expianation for the acts of aggression commUtedf and indignities
offered^ nor any security against their recurience,

** The new regulations applied to foreign trade have been confirmed
by Imperial authority, and, under such circumstances, the President
and Select Committee regret to state, that, until redress of grievances be
granted, they tee no prospect of the uninlerrupi^ continuance of British inter^
course with China, or of commerce being conducted with credit or security^
They further offer their recommendation to all British residents in
Canton, to exert every means in their power to recover such property
belonging to them, as is at present in possession of natives of this
country.

**By order of the Select Committee,

«« H. H. LINDSAY, Secretary.
" British Factory, Macao, June 10, 1831."

What Steps will be taken by the British goTernment with
whom the matter now rests, it is difficult to say, and it is not
my intention to speculate on the subject ; the Calcutta Journals
of August state, that despatches have been forwarded to the
admiral at Trincomalee commanicating the state of affairs at
Canton, but it is also observed, that ^' a very general opinion is
current, that the Bengal government will not move in the matter
till instructed from home, come what may of the trade in China
or the British residents at Canton ; " the journalists say *' the
prevalence of such an opinion, situated as we are in the eastern
world is much to be regretted." If the home government act
prudently they will follow the advice of the East India Com-
pany, and instead of learing so important a branch of com-
merce in jeopardy or uuccertainty as to its future arrangements

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fl brief renewal of the China trade charter should be imtantlj
guaranteed.

No man who has the welfare of hu country at heart, and
who is unbiassed by party feeling or private interests^ can
hesitate to award a high palm of merit to the Honourable East
India Company^ who have pari pasauy risen with thb country
in the scale of nations — ^by whose instrumentality the British
empire has been in a great degree extended oyer the face of
the earth, — ^whose military servants have shed a bright halo of
glory wherever the English flag has been unfurled, while their
vast territorial conquests have beea governed by a splendid
array of genius, wisdom and talent. As was sidd of the
** eternal city." — VThile the Colliseum stood — Rome stood —
So also may it be said — while the East India Company
stands, — England stands ! And when the former shall have
passed away, the meridian star of the latter will have set —
perhaps in a long night of poverty — ^misery and crime.

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Appendix C.

THE NEW CODE OF REGULATIONS.

The following; is the new code which is to govern the intercourse between the
government and the " barbarians :" —

" A memorial to explain old regulations intended to guard against outside
barbarians ; and also certain deliberations to modify them, by additions and
diminutions, that the same may be obeyed and kept. XiOoking up, we pray for
the sacred glance at the business.

" Canton provincial city being near the coast, and the place where foreign
ships go and come, it is extremely fitting that the guard against them and watch
over them should be perfectly complete and close.

" During the reign of Kien-lung, the English foreign merchants having
violated the prohibitions of the celestial empire,* the then governor, Le-she-

* Tradition says that this goveroor had a share in Pwan-khe-qua's house,
yaou, proposed to the emperor, and had enacted, five regulations, to guard
against oatside barbarians, which were available to keep them under controul ;
but, through length of days, they have gradually been neglected, and the
execution of them relaxed.

'* In the ninth year of Taon-kwang, the English forei^^n merchants, having
long deferred entering the port, because they solicited a diminution of the port
charges ; and again, last year, having secretly taken females to live in the
factories, and by stealth conveved guns to Canton, which things were reported
to the Emperor at the time ; although the said foreigners repented, and did not
end as they had begun, with perverse opposition ; still, the disposition of bar-
barians being deceitful and crafty, it is absolutely necessary to carry into effect,
with severity, the inhibitory orders, and to strengthen the guards against them.

"• But as to the old regulations that were enacted, present and former cir-
cumstances are different ; and there are some points which require consider-
ation and modification, to suit the times, and then the whole may be obeyed
and kept.

"We, calling to our aid the treasurer and judge, took the old regulations,
and deliberated on the modifications which the times require, and have
charged the civil and military officers, the soldiers and police, to exert them-
selves in keeping up a constant patrole and guard, and have required the Hong
merchants and linguists to be faithful in examining and searching into what is
going on. Thus, when strictness inside has become a habit, or established
customs inside are enforced with strictness, disturbances from outside barbarians
will be eradicated; and, seemingly, the principles of a good charioteer, ifi
restraining and soothing his horse, will be more thoroughly carried into
effect.

*' Having reverently associated the hoppo Chung, we unitedly present, with
profound respect, this memorial, and send a fair copy of the eight regulations,
which have been deliberated on, for the Emperor's inspection, prostrate praying
for his majesty's sacred perusal and instructions."

" A copy of the ori^nal regulations to guard against foreigners, together
with the alterations which haf e now been made and arranged under eight
topics, is hereby reverently presented for his majesty's perusal.

"• First. Foreign merchants must not remain over the winter at Canton
is an old regulation, that should be modified to keeping up, at all times, a guard
against them.

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144

"When this regulation was originally framed, the foreign ships came to
Canton and anchored, during the fifth and sixth moons ; during the ninth or
tenth they returned to their respective countries ; they were not allowed to
remain in Canton city, to find out the price of goods, to make purchases and
acquire profit, and to go backwards and forwards, having intercourse with native
Chinese, which originated traitoiovs connexions. If the goods in their bongs
were not all sold, and they wished, for the time being, to live at Macao, they
were permitted to suit their convenience. On searching, it was found that, in
the time of Kien-lung, the foreign vessels which came to Canton did not exceed
thirty or forty, but now th^ amount to seventy or«igfaty, or even one hundred.
" Of late years, the English Company's ships have arrived in succession
during the seventh or eighth moons, and having exchanged their cargoes, have
left the port in the twelfth moon, or in the first or second of the ensuing
year.

" The said nation's Company's chief, and foieigB merchants, after the Com-
pany's ships were gone, and afiatn completed, requested permits to go to
Macao and reside there, till the seventh or eighth moons, when the said nation's
merchantmen came to Canton province, and then they requested pennits to go
up to Canton' city, to nuperintend the commerce.

'* Exclusive of ^ese, there are the several nations of India and America,
whose foreign -ships come to Canton. Their trade is coming and going at un-
certain intervals, by no means like the English Company *8. Of these, under
one man's name, there may be one or two ships in a year that come to Canton,
or three or lour ships ; or an individual may have no ship at all, but only goods
cottsigned to him to seH in some other ship. These forvign merchants all remain
af Canton, to manage their affairs. As the foreign ships are now double what
they were formerly, and the time of their anchoring is uncertain — ^besides, as
they have remained at Canton transacting commercial afiairs for many years^
witlb mutual tranquillity, it is doubtiess unnecessary to restrict them positively
to the ninth or tenth moon, to return to their country.

" Hereafter, if foreign merchants do indeed arrive early at Canton city, and
all their goods be sold, then, according to the old regulations, let them reverse
their oar at the appointed time ; but if they arrive late in the eighth or ninth
moons, and require time to sell their goods, let the Hong merchants be charged
to keep a strict oversight and controul over the foreign merchants residing in
Canton ; at the same time dealing justly, to make haste to pay the price of
things, not being allowed to contract debts and persist in delaying.

** Let the foreign merchants of all nations, when their goods are sold and
business finished, whatever the time may be, go home with their ships, or go
down to Macao and reside there ; they must not intentionally delay their de-
parture. By this modification foreigners will be all prevented from lingering
long in Canton, and traitorous 'natives will rarely have a pretext for forming
illegal connexions.

" Second, Borrovring foreign merchant's money. It is right to eradicate the
evil of contracting debts.

'* When the regulations were originally established, native merchants violated

Itrohibitions, by borrowing money of foreign merchants, and strung on, being
ed by hooked coanexions. At that time their ofSences were punished accord-
ing to the law for ' Forming connexions with foreign nations, and borrowing
money tu defraud.' The money borrowed was prosecuted for, and con-
fiscated.

"This old law, against Hong merchants borrowing money of foreign mer-
chants, was long strictly acted on. But the Hong merchants, when foreign
merchants left the port, eventually made a vague statement (whether they were
indebted for balances or not), that affairs were concluded. These are un-
worthy of credit, and the gloss should be done away with. Hereafter, besides
prosecuting and punishing, according to law, the Hong merchants who borrow
money of foreigners, and string on, and are led by hooked connexions with
them, the foreign merchants who trade with Hong merchants must be made
every year, when their aifiiirs are concluded, to give in to the hoppo a volu •
tary written declaration for his examination, whether there be any oatstandiBg

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]45

claim? or not. Then, should the Hong merchant fail, the foreign claims which
have been previously reported vnll be paid bv instaiments ; those that have not
been reported, even if prosecuted for, will not receive any attentioB from
government.

" And it must be ordered, that all balances due b^ Hong merchants' receipts
must be paid within three months. Procrastination wUl not be permitted.
And when they are paid, the foreign merchants' receipt must be presented to
government, and preserved on record. ^ If payment foe not made within the
limited period, it is allowed to the foreign merchant to prosecute. If he does
not choose to prosecute, he may do as he pleases ; but if he prosecute after the
period has expired, government will pay no attention to his claims.

''This is to eradicate the trick of old and new claims being made to radiate
upon each other.

" Third. The original interdict was to prevent foreign merchants hiring
oatives to serve them. This requires a little modification^ The original regu-
lations run thus t That foreign merchants, living in the factories, were strictly
interdicted from employing any other natives than linguists and compradores.
" It is found by researca, that of the natives who have been given to foreigners
to servCf there has heretofore been a class denominated Sha-ioan.* These have
long been interdicted, and it is right still to act according to the old prohibitions,
and severely interdict them. But recently the foreign merchants of various
nations who have come hither have much increased. They continusUy require
people to look after their goods, and the black demon dave», wliich the foreign
merchants bring, are by nature very stupid and fierce ; if they (the foreign mer-
chants) be compelled to use entirely black demon slaves, it is resdly apprenended
that there will be such a large collection of them, that, in going out and in,
they will wrangle vrith the natives, and the arrangement turn out to be the
creation of disturbance. It is right to request that, hereafter, the people neces-
sary in the foreign factories for taking care of cargo, keeping the gate, carrying
water, and carrying goods, be hired by the compradore from among natives ; and
he shall report their names and surnames to the Hong-merchants, who, with the
said factory's compradore, shall be made responsible for searching into ^at
they do, and controlling them,*

" Should apy of these people instruct and seduce the foreign merchants to
act traitorously, let the Hong-merchants and compradores report them to govern-
ment, and request that the^ may be prosecuted.

" Fourth, After the foreign merchants enter the portend anchor, let there
be at that place, as heretofore, military officers and soldiers appointed to search
a9d examine. In the factories, where foreigners live, let them be under the
restrainst and control of the Hong-merchants, to prevent disturbances.

" The regulations origiaally enacted were, that when the foreign ship had
entered the port and anchored at Whampoa, a military officer and twelve soldiers
should be sent from the kwang-heep; these were to construct a mat shed and
keep guard. A military officer was also to be selected and sent from the tnh-
peaou, to search and examine. And from the adiacent military station, a row-
boat was to bo sent from the left wing of the middle division, to co-operate in
searching and examining. After the wip left the port, they were to be recalled :
in these arrangements, there is no occasion to make any chanp. But, from
length of days, these orders are considered mere form. It is riebt to make con-
tinually a secret search : and if the military become remiss, and steal repose, to
pnnish them severely forthwith.

" As to foreign merchants lodging in Hong-merchants' factories, it has here-
tofore been mw the duty of Hong-merchants to govern and control them. The
purcbuea of goods made by them must pass through the bands of a Hong-mer-
chant. This was originally designed to guard agamst traitorous natives mis-
leading them, teaching them, and egging them on. Hereafter, the foreign
merchants dwelling in the Hong-merchants' factories, must not be allowed, of
their own aecord,to go out and in, lest they should trade and carry on clandes-
tine transactions witn traitorous natives.

* Sho^wcM is the Chinese mode of pronouncing the English word, servant.

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146

** The boats on Canton river, in which they go, must not be allowed to set
sail and go fast, lest they nish against native boats on the river, and wrangle
and quarrel. They must not be allowed to wander about the villages and market-
places near Canton, in order that bloody affrays may be prevented.

** Fifth, Foreigners clandestinely taking foreign females to dwell in the
factories, and at Canton, their ascending to sit in shoulder-chariots (sedan chairs},
must both be interdicted.

*< It is found on inquiry, that the foreigners of every nation bringing wives
and women-servants to Canton city to dwell has long been strictly interdicted ;
but last year the English chief violated the law, and brought them. They have
already been expelled, and driven back to Macao. It is found that the woman
he brought to Canton was brought by the said foreign merchant from his own
country. The women servants who followed them, were Portuguese of Macao,'
hired to serve.

" Hereafter it is right to issue strict orders to the chief foreign merchants of
every nation, disallowing their bringing foreign women to Canton to reside. If
they dare wilfully to disobey, their trade will be forthwith stopped, and they
immediately sent, under escort, to Macao. At the same time, let it be made
the duty of custom-house cruisers, officers, and soldiers, in the event of meeting
foreigners carrying females to Canton, to intercept them, and s^nd them back.

" Further, let orders be given to the Tung-che of Macao to transmit orders
to the Portuguese foreign head man, Wei-le-to, and the Fan-chae (or foreign
envoy), that hereafter other foreigners, hiring women to serve, are allowed to
reside at Macao, only it is not allowed to the Macao authorities to permit them
being taken to Canton. If there be disobedience to this order, Wei-le-to alone
will be responsible.

" As to foreigners using chairs in Canton, it all arose from traitorous vaga-
bonds giving them, and chair^bearers coveting gain. Besides ordering foreigners
of every nation to yield obedience, and that hereafter they must not, at Canton,
city, ascend the shore in sedan-chairs, let it be strictlv interdicted for traitorous
merchants to give chairs to, or hire chair-bearers for foreigners. And if chair-
men, scheming to obtain gain, dare to disobey this order, as soon as it is dis-
covered let them be seized and severely prosecuted.

*' Sixth* It is right to make it the duty of custom-house cruisers, officers, and
soldiers, with more strictness and care, to interdict and prevent foreigners from
conveving muskets and guns to Canton.

" The interdict against foreigners bringing muskets or guns with them to
Canton was originally very strict ', but last year there was a foreigner who,
suddenly and by stealth, conveyed muskets and guns to a foreign factory in
Canton, violating, in an extreme degree, old regulations. Hereafter, let it be
the duty of custom-house cruisers, officers,^ and soldiers, to be faithful in en--
deavouring to find out such attempts ; anil if foreigners should, by stealth,
convey guns or other arms to Canton city, to the foreign factories, inmiediately
to intercept them, and not allow their proceeding. If the officers and soldiers
fail in discovering such attempts ; or if, still worse, should they know of them
and connive at them, let the said officers and men be immediately brought up,
tried, and sentenced.

" Seventh, In case of English Company's Captains,* going backwards and
forwards in boats, and foreign merchants* cargo vessels receiving clearances to
quit the port, it is right to obey the standing regulation.

" Of the foieign ships that trade, the Company's captains, vrhen it occtm
that they have public business to attend to, go backward and forward in sampan
boats, to interdict and stop which is difficult. Jt is right to allow them, as
heretofore, to go in boats. If they carry any contraband goods let the custom-
house officers and soldiers examine strictly, and report for the management of
the affair. But heretofore there must be a foreign headman or captain ia her,
before a sampan-boat is allowed to go with a flag set. If there be no headman
or ship captain in her, it must not be allowed, irregularly, to sail a boat with a
flag set. Still, let the old regulations be adhered to, to prevent conforion.

• Skippers.

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147

" In going from Macao to Whampoa and Canton^ and from Canton to
Whampoa and Macao, let a permit* be requested.

" They mast not go and come when and as they please. Doing so will be an
offence that will be inquired into. As to foreign merchants' cargo vessels re-
ceiving a red chop or clearance to quit the port, heretofore application has been
made to the custom-house to Inform the forts on every such occasion, that they
may examine and let go, and so stoppages and disturbances be prevented. .

" Eighth, It is necessary to make arrangements concerning foreigners pre-
senting petitions, whether a distinction should not be made in affairs of import-
ance, and it be settled when they must be presented for them, and when they
themselves may present them.

" There must be explicit and fixed regulations determining whether the Hong*
merchants are to present petitions for foreign merchants, or they are to present
them themselves ; then a confused way of acting, and an exceeding what is
proper, may be prevented. Let an order be issued to the English and other
foreign merchants, requiring their obedience thereto, that hereafter, if any very im-
portant affairs occur, which it is absolutely necessary to convey to the governor's
office, let the petition be delivered to the senior Hong-merchants, or security-
merchants, to present it for them. It is not allowed that foreigners should
presume to go to the city gate, and present it themselves. If the senior merchant
or security-merchant persist in intercepting it, and will not present it for them, so
that foreign affairs cannot be stated to government, it is then permitted for
foreigners to carry the petition to the city gate, and deliver it to the military
officer on guard. When they present a petition, one or two foreigners only are
allowed to proceed with it. They are not allowed to take a number of men
with them, to blazon abroad the affair.

" If the business be of a common* place nature, and the Hong-merchants have
not refused to present it for them, or the topic be one which it is improper
to present, then the foreigner who shall perversely offend and take a number
of people to the city gate to present a petition, that foreign merchant's trade
shall forthwith be stopped one month, and he shall be disallowed to buy or sell
any goods thereby to chastise his disresjpect.

" Petitions concerning; ordinary topics of trade must be presented at the
hoppo's office. And ordinary petitions, concerning local occurrences, must be
presented to the Macao Tung-che, or the Heangshan Heea, or Macao Tso-tung ;
in all which cases it is allowed to appeal, as usual."

* Red chop.

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-:^-'^"

148

Appendix D.
dispute with thb local authoaitibs.

The Canton RegisUr of June 6 sayft: — Our present number is chiefiy tak«n
up with documents relating to the discussions between the Canton government
aud the British factory. We haTe nothing material to communicate, to assist
in forming a judgment as to its probable termination, unless it be that a ^owiog
conviction of the unjustifiable nature of the proceedings which are complained of,
appears to prevail in the minds of those Chinese, whose opinions we have an
opportunity of knowing.

The Foo-yuen, following up his violent line of conduct, would not permit the
Kwang-heep to present .to him the address of the Select Committee, which,
together with the factory keys, Mr. Liodsay bad placed in his hands, on the
S9th of May. The Committee being thus debarred from all means of oommu-
nication with the government, res<^ved to put the Chinese public in possession of
the fiscts of the case by a brief notification in the Chinese la.nguage ; numerous
copies of which, early on the morning of the 31st, were affizM to the walls, in
various parts of the town, some even on the city-gate, and distributed on the
same day among the Chinese merchants and shopkeepers of every description,
f^bfi publicity thus given to the grounds of complaint has produced a gi^at seo-
salion, favourable (as far as can be ascertained) to the views of the Committee.
That a rupture had at all occurred was before then but very partially known to
the Chinese. The eyes of many are now. opened to the disastrous consequences
which may ensue. The Foe»yuen is blamed for his ignorance of the iqode in
which foreigners should be treated, and tor not consulting with the treasurer and
judge, the usual council ef the governor, before his aggression on the Company's
factory, in direct violation of a stipulation agreed to by the government in 1814,
that the factories should be held inviolable.

It may be reasonably asked, why, if the Foo-yuen had received orders from
the emperor, they were not published, and notice given of his determination to
icarry them into efifect 1 or why render the act more insulting and ofieasive to
foreigners, by the rude, clandestine mode of perpetrating it, 'and to avoid discus-
sion on the subject, refuse petitions on all others.

These are questions to which the Chinese make no reply ; even the Hong
merchants bein^ obliged to admit that reason is on the side of the fbreigaers.
^ On the morning after the notificatida was issued, the senior Hong merchant
removed the Committee's address, with the factory keys from the consoo- house,
where they had lain, and report states the former is now in the Foo-yuen*s pos-
session. This, however, is denied by the f^ong merchants, who alledge that his
Excellency is desirous to avoid all conununication on the subject till the gover-
nor's return, to afford him an oppertunity for explanation respecting the Com-
mittee's assertion of his having sanctioned the embankment of the mud-flat,
which, if unexplained, might excite against him the Emperor's displeasure,
when reported at Peking. But when it is considered that the two worthies are
not on the most cordial terms, there seems much reason to question the sincerity
of the motive attributed to the Foo-yuen. It is more probable that he wishes
the affair to lie over, from feeling at a loss what course to pursue, an impression
entertained by many Chinese who draw their inference from the fact of his hav-
ing abstained all this time from carrying into effect several other orders which
were reported to have been contained in the Emperor's secret dispatch. We
may hope, therefoi'e, the opposition be has met with has had a wholesome efiiect
in moderating his outrageous zeal in the service of his imperial master.

FINIS.

loncon:
, « w. holineux, rolls friktino oftici,
Rolls Building!, Fettsr Lane.

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3 2044 024 416 2T<

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Full text of "British relations with the Chinese empire in 1832. Comparative statement of the English and American trade with India and Canton"

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