Trade With China (1840)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, November 21, 1840. Page 95.

Among the documents printed by order of Congress is a memorial from Russell Sturgis and others, American merchants residing in Canton, setting forth the proceedings of the Chinese government in connection with the suppression of the opium trade, and asking the co-operation of this government with that of Great Britain, in establishing commercial relations with China on a safe and permanent basis. The memorial proposes to demand,

1st. Permission for foreign envoys to reside near the court at Pekin, on the terms and with all the privileges accorded at other courts, through whom appeal may be made to the Imperial Government in and in cases of difficulty with the local authorities; in the prosecution of our commercial pursuits. 

2d. The promulgation of a fixed tariff of duties on articles, both of import and export, from which no deviation shall be allowed under any pretext whatsoever. 

3d. A system of bond warehouses, or some regulations permitting the transshipment of such goods as it may be desirable to re-export for want of a market in China.

4th. The liberty of trading at other ports in China than that of Canton.

5th. Compensation for the losses caused by the stoppage of the whole legal trade of the port and the consequent detention of vessels and property; with a guarantee against the recurrnance of similar arbitrary acts, and security for the free egress from Canton and other ports, of all persons not guilty of crimes or civil offenses, at any and at all times.

6th. That until the Chinese laws are distinctly made known and recognized, the punishment for wrongs committed by foreigners upon the Chinese and others, shall not be greater than is applicable to the like offense by the laws of the United States or England; nor shall any punishment be inflicted by the Chinese authorities upon any foreigner, until the guilt of the party shall have been fairly and clearly proved. 

-Boston Courier, Jan. 29, 1840.