A NEW COLONY ANNEXED TO THE BRITISH EMPIRE (1843)

Source: The Friend [Temperance Advocate, and Seamen's Friend.] Honolulu: October 28, 1843. Page 60.

According to the treaty between England and China, under date of August 26, 1842, it was agreed that "the island of Hong Kong be ceded in perpetuity to H.B. Majesty, her heirs and successors." Soon after the news of this treaty was known in England, measures were taken to add another colony to the British Empire. The following is a portion of a proclamation issued at Westminster, April 5, 1843 under the authority of the Queen:

" Victoria, by the grace of God, of the united kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, queen, defender of the faith, to all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: know ye, that we, of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, have thought fit to erect and do hereby elect our island of Hong Kong and its dependencies, situate between 22° 9' and 22° 21’ N. L , and 114° 18’ E,I.  from the meridian of Greenwich, into a colony and the said island and its dependencies is hereby erected into a separate colony accordingly, to he known and designated as ‘the colony of Hong Kong.’”

The proclamation proceeds to ordain the power and number of public officers who shall hold their commission under the crown mid within the colony of Hong Kong. 

By another proclamation issued on the same day of the above, the queen appoints "our trusty and well beloved Sir Henry Pottinger, baronet, knight grand cross, of the most honorable order of the bath, major-general in the service of the East India company, and chief superintendent of the trade of our subjects trading to and from the dominions of the emperor of China, to be the governor and commander-in-chief in and over our said colony of Hong Kong and its dependencies, and of all forts and garrisons erected and established, or which shall be erected and established within the said colony, for and during our pleasure." 

On the 26th of June, 1843, Sir Henry Pottinger issued a proclamation, making known the action of the Home Government and also declaring that the present city on the north side of the island shall be known by the name of Victoria. On tho following day he issued another proclamation appointing forty four justices of the peace in different ports of China. 

The "Don Juan" left China a few days after the publication of the above proclamation, &c. Measures had been taken to open those ports declared free by the treaty of Aug. 26, 1842, viz. —Canton, Amoy, Foo Chow, Ningpoo and Shanghai. 

From all that we are aide to learn in regard to the island of Hong Kong, it possesses but this simple advantage to recommend it us a site for a city and seaport town, viz: the harbor is convenient, spacious and good. The island is barren and hilly, particularly that part where the city of Victoria has been founded. As might naturally be expected, the city is rapidly building up, and becoming the center of foreign influence in China. Catholics and protestants have already there erected their respective houses for public worship. The catholic is represented as a grand and imposing edifice, while their missionaries are penetrating into the heart of China. They belong to the order of the Jesuits.