CHINA.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 202, 6 May 1848, Page 3

CHIN A.

While Sir John' Davis was in Canton (he following document was presented to him by a Chinese belonging to the establishment of A-Tom, the Linguist, [t was, refused and very properly, H. E. having probdbly had time to disco\er how much he had committed himself by previously accepting a similar document fiorn the inhabit mts of Uonan. That it expresses the feelings of the villagers towards the English we do not believe. It more likely is from the pen of a mandaiin who knows how accessible H. E. is to complimentary evpiessions and was willing to ontiaj) him a second time into such a negociation. It shows, however, another kmentuble^mistake into which the pLmpotsntiary has fallen in ullowing the lives of four Chinamen to be taken us. a compensation tor the lives of our conntrymen, who as the Chinese say killed two Clnne*>e while defending themselves, and the latter thus consideied the balance complete, and cannot understand what further redress we want. This principle of,lifts (or life has ever been resisted in the whole of our intercourse wi h the Chinese, until now that Sir John Davis gives ithis official sanction. If it is once established the ]«fo of no man in China can be considered secure. However incredible it may appear, it is an established fact that for comparatively a small sum a Chinamen will voluntarily offer himself as a victim. A sum of 50 or 100 dollars will procure such, and consequently on the pnucipal alluded to, that may beconsideied the value of a Foreigner's life. It is very doubtful whether the parties executed were not substitutes thus obtained, and the suspicion is much strengthened by the fact of their being gagged when brought to execution, contrary to all Chinese custom. W« have made enquiries of si number of gentlemen who lwd each witnessed numerous executions, and in no in&tauce had they seen a prisoner gagged while led to execution.

The Gentlemen and Literati of Canton and the surrounding country, hereby respectfully address His Excellency, the British Plenipotentiary Davis, to make known to him theii' heartfelt sentiments on the subject of the merchants and people generally of the twocoun« tries, consulting together for the purpose of cultivatirg amity, putting away hatred, and causing quarrels to cense. We would respectfu ly represent, that our Central Empire has had commercial intercourse with your Excellency'• country for more than two hundred years up to the present time. A number of the people of the province of Kwangtung depend on this as a means of gaining their livelihood, while the English meichants have become rich through it. The aflair is therefore one of mutual benefit, not of mutual iojnry. If we view it with reference to the feelings which niakei Chinese and Foreigners conjointly one family, and which attaches a due importance to the natural resptct between host and guest, we perceive that our intercourse shall be carried on with good faith, and our communications with politeness. And if we would humbly give effect to the benevolence of our Great Emperor in tenderly cherishing people from afar, and to the intentions of the high authorities in encouraging friendly feelings with foreign nations, it is still more proper that lights and insults, would endanger the peacebetweyn the two countnei, should cease. But we have recently heard, that there has been a case of lighting and homicide between the country peo« pie and Euglishmea at Hwang-cliuk-ke, (Canton dia-

publicly known ; (or the prohibitions of the authorities a£ainit the people are never held so inviolate as the prohibitio us o< the people imposed on themselves, while the self interdicts of the people? again cannot beso long upheld as those imposed by the whole body of the public. If the piesent plan be put into actual execution, suspicion and dislike will no longer exist o« either aide, and univena! peace will be insured in common for thousand* of years ! Will this not far surpass the profitless proclamations of the authorities. We have presumed to bring to your Excellency' notice our heartful sentiments, with which we hope you vvill make youwlf thoroughly acquainted, and jjive us a declaration in reply. We also beg you will make known the contents of this letter to the Sovereign of your Excellency's country in a memorial, as also communicate it to the niinUteri of your country, j and to the great officers at every port, that all may praise jthe excellent plan. This is what we earnestly ent:e<it. V r e will also make this letter known to the wise and honourable of the different nations, that all may become fully acquainted with the trouble and vexation of mind we give oui selves to ensure complete security. Not detecting our rashness anddulness, we respectfully make a statement of the wiudings of our hearts, and take the opportunity of making your Excellency our compliments. In addressing this to you, we await your reply with the most extreme degree of expectation. 18tli December, 1847. A true translation, Joan A. Meadows, Public Translator.