FOREIGN NEWS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 65, 14 March 1843, Page 3

FOREIGN NEWS.

CHINA. TRANSLATION OP AN IMPERIAL EDICT. In reply to the report of the Imperial Commissioners, Keying, Elepoo and Newkeen (vide C.R. Oct. 11th). On the 27th day of the 7th moon (Sept. 1), the following imperial edict was received : “ Keying and his colleagues have sent up a document containing a report and rough sketch of the articles of the convention discussed at a personal conference (with H. B. M’s Plenipotentiary in China.) I have inspected the report, and have a full knowledge of the whole of it. I, the Emperor, seriously considering the evils to the uncountable number of the people, and the important consequences to the greatness, power, and station of the empire—cannot avoid being constrained and forced to grant what is requested ; it is but one time of bitterness and trouble, but then ease, repose, and peace may be reckoned on for ever ; and not only the two provinces of Keangsoo and Chekeang be preserved entire-Tr-but .‘the empire will be held together in its intregrity!—As to those items in the report relating to trade, there are some that are improper and require further consideration. Now as the barbarian ships are willing to leave the Chang river, and are also willing to retire from Cliaonpaou hill ; , that which they have before requested .relative to a free trade at five ports, the country of Fuhchow must be excluded; permission to trade thither cannot by any means be granted, but another port may be exchanged for it; they may be, Allowed to trade coming and going, at the four ports of Canton, Amoy, Ningpo and Shanghue. As to the matter of the Hong merchants’ debts, the said great ministers must necessarily accommodate themselves to circumstances, and in a perspicuous edict explain the matter thus, to the English :

" The said nation has traded with China for more than 200 years; and heretofore all has been harmony, and good will, and the trade has always, been transacted by barter, and money. But | as tie Hong merchants and yourselves have between you mutually transacted the affairs of trade, our : public officers have hitherto never

r examined into or troubled themselves about the . trade. The affairs of the rise and fall in prices, : whether low or high, are very petty, trifling ■ matters. Further, our speech and language 5 are unintelligible to each other ; and most de- • cidedly, the district officers will not be able to > manage the matter.” J Hereafter, the Chinese merchants at all the > port 3 will adopt extraordinary modes of giving 5 trouble and cheating, even to cutting —i.e., der manding excessive discounts; when there will \ be no hindrance or fear of laying a clear state- ’[ ment of the case before the district officers, who ■ will certainly punish the said merchant (delinquent) : decidedly there will be no indulgence 1 shown. As to the 6,000,000/. it is proper that 1 I should give them, by which my sincerity and good faith will be manifest; and they are to 'be collected from the salt commissioners and pro--1 vincial treasuries of the three provinces of Chekeang, Keangso, and Kanliway, the richest supplying the deficiencies of the poorest. As to correspondence being conducted on terms of perfect equality between the officers of the two governments, and the barbarians who have been made captives, and the Chinese who have.beeq. seduced (into the employ of the English); grant all these supplicated favours; let the; captives be released; and I order that all the matters (the three just mentioned) be allowed which have been requested. Further, with reference to what is contained in the report about sealing, the said barbarians do not require your seals proof, but the imperial seal of the empire to be fixed as a guarantee (of the treaty;) so I shall not fall in dignity; and the feelings of my imperial station will not be lost. Before I have disseminated my imperial rescripts to each of the dependencies of China, all sealed with the imperial seal of the empire; and I order that my rescripts be sent under a flying seal with the despatches from the board of the civil office, and they are to be forwarded in this ceremonious manner, that all the clauses which have been clearly reported, may be properly ipanaged. From the time of this settlement, the said great minister must especially report to the emperor, behaving with perfect sincerity of the things supplicated, there are none which have not been granted. From this epoch of a thorough free trade, there should be everlasting peace and harmony; your nation should also treat us with mutual, perfect sincerity; and certainly not again commence military operations, in direct opposition to heavenly principles; for not only have you already caused troubles and confusion in many provinces, but you must not again come, seeking causes of quarrel and war; and just so, the coast and territories of the provinces of Canton, Fuhheen, Teawan (Formosa), Cheheang, Keangnon, Shontung, Chihle, and Shunteen (Teking), the barbarian vessels of war are not allowed to enter and frequent. Since at this time we are at peace, of the officers and troops in eacli province, there are some that should be sent away and other detained. We have already consulted, as to the ancient cities of China, her signal pyramids and batteries ; and it is proper that they should all be rebuilt successively, according to former custom; these have not been of modern erection ; but they were built for the purpose of guarding against and seizing the pirates, and were not established to guard against the said barbarians ; and we certainly must not incoherently and disorderly produce suspicion and apprehension. Those distant province^. which rave not yet heard of or possess a full knowledge of the peace ; if any of your (barbarian) ships abruptly enter, and are suddenly attacked, you must not make this a cause of screening, yourselves, borrowing pretences, and mouthing. The whole of the above, matters rest wholly in the deep consideration and extreme care of the said minister and his colleagues; let them be wholly true and sincere in deliberating and deciding; and so for ever put an end to the risings of war ; there must not be the, least misconception or misunderstanding. This 'is not an affair or time to be idle, or to dismiss the matter in a hurried, remiss, and irregular manner; but regard it with sincere and; serious attention. Hurry on this edict at more than at the rate of 600 le a day, and order him (Keying) to inform himself of its contents.- — Respect this. Canton Register Office, 24th October, 1842. By J. S., Ed. C. R. .