CHINA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 420, 11 August 1849, Page 4

CHINA.

By the Grace Darling (arrived at Adelaide, June 28) we have intelligence from Hong Kong to the 31st March. Governor Bonham had determined upon forcing the Chinese authorities to comply with that part of the last treaty by which free entry is allowed the British to Canton city. He had proposed to make a formal visit to Canton on the 6th April, and had thereby created an immense ferment among the Chinese. Seu, the new Governor, had written to the Emperor for instructions. The Emperor returned a reply in eight characters, of which we have the following translations — Vermillion re^ly, Compassionate the ft dings of the people — observe what that dictates — and manage the lusuess. Other translators have after the first part, " Observe what they dictate." " Observe the

state of affairs.* 1 But all agree that Seu was to manage the business on the principle of compassion to the people, but the enigma was, which people were meant. The real meaning was believed to be, that Seu was to temporise as long as possible, but to yield to the demand rather than cause a disturbance. In the mean time no stone was left unturned to over-awe the English. " The braves" were incited to all sorts of noisy bravado. The trade had been stopped, and a national guard of 100,000 men had been enrolled. " The braves" had seized two Chinese in the secret department of the British Consulate, and were about to decapitate them ; but this was prevented by the energetic demand of Mr. Elmslie, the Vice Consul. Governor Bonham and the whole English authorities were resolved no longer to be trifled with. There are no less than six vessels of war at Hong Kong, and four in the Canton river, the active com- j mand of which, in conseqaence of the Admiral's (Sir F. Collier) indisposition, had devolved on Captain the Hon. Henry Keppel, who was prepared to enforce the Governor's demands. Civilities had passed between the British authorities at Fun-ehan, and the Chinese Governor-General ; two officers calling on the latter to thank him for his assistance in a case of shipwreck. They were politely received and entertained. Hearing that one of them was going to Hong Kong, he sent his compliments to Mr. Bonham, and on their return they received cards from him at their quarters. At Macao, the Portuguese have at last an active Governor, who taking advantage of Seu's embarrassments, kicked out the Chinese Hoppo, or head of the customs, and bis underlings in the most unceremonious manner, and issued a proclamation, dated sth March, declaring Macao' a free port by the decree of her Majesty, Q-zeen of Portugal. The Chinese custom house had existed from the first settlement of foreigners on the peninsula, rendering the Portuguese sovereignty questionable. The Chinese having threatened to eat up the Governor and his city, he had puc the town into a state of defence, and mustered 500 troops, with which he proposed to set Seu and his horde at defiance. Piracies had become alarmingly frequent and daring. A Spanish mail boat had been plundered in sight of Victoria, Hong Kong, when the mail agent, Signor Orense, an amiable and intelligent youth, a Portuguese, and a Chinaman perished. The new colonial church at Hong Kong, a fine building of Gothic architecture, was opened for service on Sunday, March 11th. A cargo of 80 tons of coal was imported into Hong Kong from Formosa by a Chinchew junk, at the expense of seven and a half dollars per ton. Incendiarism had become so prevalent at Kwanglung, and in China generally, that a proclamation had been issued for a new punishment for incendiaries, viz., that the delinquent be publicly exposed in the cangue until a fire occurred, and then be carried to the scene of the coiiflagation and be cast alive into the 'flames. The British residents of Hong Kong have petitioned Parliament for relief from the burdens and grievances imposed by the present administration, and intend to apply for a revision of the whole system. An impudent attempt at robbery was made in the Imperial Palace at Pekin — due of Ms Majesty's chair bearers having attempted to saw off a handle fiom a large golden water vessel standing in the audience hall; the offender having been caught in the fact, was delivered over to have justice dealt upon riim. An insurrection had broken out in the department of Leencbow, which was quelled by the Mandarins after the insurgents had thrice attacked the town. No less than 140 criminals had been executed within eighteen days in Canton at the Teentsze landing place. Robbery and piracy was exceedingly pievalent, notwithstanding the severity of the government. The monopoly formerly existing in the trade of cassia has been abolished through the petition of the inhabitants of the ,Pingnan district. The merchants of Hong Kong have addressed a letter to Rear Ad.miral Collier, complaining of the frequent delays of the contract packets belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which the Admiral undertook to forward to the Admiralty, observing that he had already communicated with the managing directors, pointing out to them the penalties incurred by the company for breach of contract. Arrangements had been made for an iron steamer to ply upon the river of Canton. By the new regulations, military criminals cpnvicted at Hong Kong are for the future to be transported to the Cape of Good Hope. A , Captain A. F. H. Da Costa, und a Mr. Dwyer, were brutally murdered by a party of Chinese, seven of whom were known, but had effected their escape. The body of Mr. Dwyer was thrown into a river, but the most careful search for it was ineffectual. Some of the Chinese made a statement that the Europeans were assailed for taking liberties' with

a nat'.ve woman, but others of their countrymen declared the charge to be without foundation, alleging that the desperadoes had murdered their victims for the sake of plunder. The chief magistrate of the district of Yang Sban, whilst out on an expedition against the bands of robbers which infested his neighbourhood, was surrounded by a large body of banditti, who killed a number of his soldiers, and dispersing the force, took the commander himself prisoner, and as a punishment for his having caused four of their comrades to be nailed alive to the city gates, the chief of the band ordered one of the robbers to cut off his ears ; during the affray he had been severely wounded, and died soon after the barbarous order was executed.