Additional Particulars of the News from China (May, 1857)

The Polynesian. Honolulu: May 9, 1857. Page 3.

Canton was still in flames when the Godfrey sailed on the 7th of Feb. No further progress had been made by Admiral Seymour with the troops at his disposal; in fact they find it hard work, as a portion of the regiment was at Canton, while the remainder are compelled to do extra duty. 

The first instalment of British reinforcements, consisting of 272 men, officers included, had arrived from Singapore in the steamer Sir James Brooks, which vessel had been chartered to convey them to Hong Kong for $13,000. The steamer Auckland had arrived at Singapore from Penang with 150 tons of shot, shell and ammunition, which would be forwarded to Canton the first opportunity. 

The Chinese still continued there attacks when opportunities offered, and an ineffectual attempt had been made to blow up H.B.M.’s ship Comus with fire rafts. One raft came in contact with the spanker boom of the vessel, and carried it away, causing the raft to clear the ship. The other raft was in a blaze, but was kept some distance from the ship by the four booms. As soon as the stern raft was clear, the chain cable was slipped, enabling the ship to swing around with the flood tide, and avoid the raft which they succeeded in anchoring. The Comus had her fore-rigging damaged, and her fore yard and bows slightly burned.

The Coromandel was on hand, having run from Macao Fort to tow the Comus out of danger, if necessary. The officers and men of the Comus behaved manfully during the impending danger. The next day the Chinese shifted their position well up Falshan Creek, having been annoyed by the Niger's fire, one shot of which took a mast clear off one of the junks. The Coromandel and Forbes succeeded in destroying a village in Elliot’s Passage, where a fleet of war junks had been anchored. The Encounter arrived and took the place of the Niger, off Macao Fort on the 28th of Jan. This Fort had been rendered impregnable to any assaults of the Chinese. 

The Niger and Barracouta had visited Wampoo. Bambootown remained untouched, but Newtown, together with all the foreigners’ workshops, &c., on shore had been leveled. Mr. Compus’ house had also been fired, and only the walls left standing. The piles of the various docks had been burnt, and every vestige of planks and spars removed. The stone work of the upper part of the granite dock had been dug up by the Chinese, and as they could not remove the caisson, they had spitefully perforated it with holes. Ten thousand dollars will not replace the damage done to the dock alone. Nothing had been heard as yet from Mr. Cooper. The three Chinese who were arrested on suspicion and kept as hostages for his delivery have been discharged. Asing, who had been arrested for poisoning the foreigners with arsenic in bread, was examined and discharged for want of evidence, but was arrested again for being concerned in the murder of the officers and crew of the Thistle. 

The fishing village of Tum-Isai in the Typu, opposite Macoa, was burnt the 26th of January, China New Year. The town was built of wood and bamboo, with several carpenters’ yards and rope walks. No lives lost. 

The proclamation prohibiting all communication with Macoa had been withdrawn by the magistrate of Heang-Shan, and consequently no stoppage of supplies have been attempted by the Chinese.

 Three Chinese had been arrested on a charge of administering poison to Mr. Caldwell and family, in the form of seeds of stramonium put in milk. 

A reward of $1000 has been offered for the apprehension of Chinese emisaries having treasonable papers.

A fishing boat had been captured by the pirates Jan. 31st, of Poo-Foy; Feb. 3d, a passage boat was taken off Puk-Ku.

Offers of reward of $1000 each have been made for the apprehension of Alun and Atsoi, foremen of the Esing bakery, who are believed to have been concerned in the attempt to poison the community on 15th of January.

The ship Golden Racer, lost at the entrance of the river Min, was timber laden for Ningpo, and not with teas and silks for the United States, as before reported. 

The French ship Anais, of 650 tons, sailed from Swataw, Jan. 29th, with a cargo of coolies, for Havana. On the 30th the coolies rose, overpowered the crew, killed the captain, supercargo and chief mate, (the supercargo’s son) when they run the vessel ashore at Fong-he, about five miles above Breakers Point. The rest of the crew and surgeon are onshore and well treated by the Chinese, but held for a ransom of $500, and the ringleaders among the coolies are in custody and will be given up to the French authorities. A schooner have been sent from Swatow to carry back the survivors. The French frigate Virginie had also gone up to demand liberation of the others.  

The whale ship Champion (of New Bedford) arrived at Hongkong Jan. 30. She was fourteen months out, having 900 barrels oil. Last from Guam, (17th Jan.) where she reports the inhabitants are starving by thousands. Four thousand had died with smallpox in three months. The Champion saw several sperm whales off the Bashees. 

The clipper ship Flyaway, from Hongkong for New York, went ashore near the Brothers at the entrance of the river Min, but fortunately got off and proceeded on her voyage. The ship Wild Wave (at Hong Kong) reports the ship Golden Racer to have gone ashore on the outer knoll at the mouth of the river Min and was totally wrecked. 

A large fleet of pirate boats, numbering fifty or sixty junks and small boats, some pulling a hundred oars, is at Ling-Ting. The US steamer San Jacinto, Commander Bell, had sailed in pursuit of them on the 29th January. 

"Coolie Horrors" (China, June 1857)

The Polynesian. Honolulu: June, 1857

The French ship Port de Bordeaux left Macao about the middle of January, bound to Havana with a cargo of Chinese apprentices.  When one day out, an alarm of fire was given from the between decks forward, and in frantic haste the officers and crew ran down to put it out.  No sooner were they there than a large number of the Chinese went aft and took charge of the arms, and then quietly told the master that the alarm was a ruse devised for the purpose of procuring his return to Macao. Some fifty or sixty of them, they said, had taken their passages on board thinking the vessel was going to the Straits only; they had not agreed to go to Havana, and go they would not. Of course, having no choice in the matter, the master hove about immediately, and on reaching Macao threw up his charter. The actual apprentices made no demur to being trans-shipped, and have since left in a Dutch ship. The tail, given to us on what we believe to be excellent authority appears incredible. It is incredible that European Agents, after so many warnings, should still exhibit so much laxity in sending Coolies away; and no less incredible that the Chinese should exhibit so much wisdom and praiseworthy forbearance.  

—————

After the above was in type we learned by the schooner Mazeppa of another COOLIE HORROR. As the Mazeppa passed Breaker Point, she saw there, high and dry, the French ship Armais. This vessel was dispatched from Swatow recently, with a cargo of Chinese apprentices for Havana. The day after leaving the master was cut down with a hatchet, and the other officers and some of the crew dispatched in detail. The vessel was afterwards run ashore were seen by the Mazeppa, and the Chinese, said to number some six hundred, went their ways. The rest of the crew are in the hands of the villagers, and, under the supposition that they are English, will be massacred unless speedily rescued. -Friend of China. 

Proclamation from Mandarin Governor of Whampoa (China. June, 1857)

China
The Polynesian. Honolulu: June 6, 1857

The Moniteur de la Flotte publishes the following proclamation from the Mandarin governor of Whampoa:

“Infamous foreigners have presumed to raise the standard of revolt against the sublime and venerated authority of the Emperor. They have attacked the city of Canton in order to burn it,  and already they have received the punishment they merited, for our invincible troops have repulsed them, and killed a great number of them. Let them be attacked from every part of the empire. Let every inhabitant of China who shall meet an Englishman inflict on him the fate he merits. Already do our innumerable fleets and our mighty armies, which are dreaded by the whole world, advance to drive them away. Let everyone unite with that army; let everyone take part in the war, and teach foreigners to tremble before the will and before the anger of our Sovereign, whose gaze is as burning as the rays of the sun, and whose power is in measurable. He who shall not act in conformity with these orders, shall be considered a traitor, and they may expect from us a chastisement as prompt as terrible.

You hear! Obey.
The Mandarin Governor, TCHYN-TOO.
Done at Whampoa the 9th day of the 12th moon”

The Moniteur de la Flotte says, on the publication of the preceding document, the foreign ships anchored in the roads or in the Tehou-Kiang sailed away, taking with them the few Europeans in the town. The utmost excitement prevailed. 

"The English fleet was about to move into the Canton river." (March, 1857)

China (March, 1857)
The Polynesian. Honolulu: March 13, 1857, page 357.

We have Hong Kong dates to November 15. The American Commissioner had arrived at Hong Kong in the Minnesota. 

The English fleet was about to move into the Canton river. The French fleet will co-operate with the English, who were expected to commence immediately. 

The Russian Commissioner was at Hong Kong. 

It was rumored that Lord Canning, as soon as transports could be procured, would send 2,400 troops from India to China. 

The London Times says:- By the present time, probably, Canton has been attacked and captured. It has been determined to make dispute entirely local. Should the Emperor answer the capture of Canton by the expulsion of the English traders from Shanghae, then, indeed, matters will grow serious; but should he determine that the Canton Governor and mob have been justly punished, it is possible that hostilities may be confined to the operations which were to be commended in the South. The British force seems to be sufficient for the purpose of retribution at Canton. “In a few days,” says our correspondent, “we may reasonably expect to have 700 gun and 7,000 men in these waters. Of the latter we shall be able probably two land 4,000.” The “blue jackets” were being drilled for service on land.  We learn that the French have also determined to resort to hostilities against the Chinese. It should be understood beforehand such a union is by no means analogous to the combined operations in the Crimea. There is no military convention.  

Baron Gros has with a naval force from which he can land 600 seamen. He has therefore resolved to join in the operations against Canton. Thus we shall have the singular spectacle of two nations simultaneously prosecuting hostilities against the same people on different grounds, and without any formal convention or alliance. In fact, the two expeditions maybe looked upon as entirely separate. It is well understood that the Americans are to retain their position of looking on. 

News from Whampoa (September, 1848)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu. September, 1848. Page 67.

China.—A correspondent under date of 14th May, thus writes us from Whampoa:— "Everything is at present quiet in China, still no one knows when or how soon there may be an outbreak. The feeling among foreign residents is, that they are living in the crater of a volcano. The Chinese are decidedly hostile to all 'barbarians,' and they show their hostility in many ways very annoying. During the past week the English Consul issued a circular, authorizing English merchants, to pay no more duties for the present to the Chinese, on the ground, that they had violated the treaty.— The consul has made certain demands which I think will be complied with. I am informed that the course taken by the consul has the sanction of the Governor."

Cruise of the Constellation (February, 1845)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: February, 1845. Page 22.

The following synopsis of this cruise we copy from the Baltimore American: 

"The U. S. ship Constellation, Commodore Kearney, sailed from Boston December 9th, 1840, and visited Rio de Janeiro, Cape of Good Hope, Johanna, Qiullah Battno, Penang and Singapore; and leaving Singapore February 5th, 1842, beat up the China Sea, touched at Ceicer de Mer, and arrived at Macao March 22d, 1842. 

During the time the Constellation remained on the China station, the following ports were visited, viz:—Macao, Hong Kong, Whampoa, Manilla and Amoy. 

The Constellation was the first American ship of war that entered the inner waters, having passed both bars of the Canton river, and anchored at Whampoa. Leaving China May 22d, 1843, the ship reached the Sandwich Islands July 7th, and, after visiting the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, sailed for Monterey August 28th. The ship anchored in Monterey Bay September 15th, and sailed for Valparaiso September 29th, which port the reached November 29th, 1843.

After remaining twenty-five days in port she sailed for Callao, and arrived there January 9th, 1844. She left Cullao on the 20th of January, and, after a pleasant passage of 52 days, unaccompanied by any incident of serious nature, anchored in Rio de Janeiro on the 12th of March, completing a cruise of three years from the date of her departure thence, on her cruise of circumnavigation. 

The Constellation arrived at Norfolk in 41 duys from Rio, having been absent from the United States three years, four months and twenty-two days. During her cruise, she logged, in 491 days at sea, 158,000 miles. Commander S. F. Dupont took passage in the ship at Rio de Janeiro."

Hong Kong, Wine and Beer (February, 1845)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: February 1, 1845. Page 22. 

Writes a correspondent from Hong Kong, November 20, 1841. "This part of the world is a great beer and wine drinking part, and those who cannot get wine and beer, take samshoo and brandy. Hundreds go home on account of ill health, caused for the most part by their wine-bibbing, and even if they do not go, are exposed to fevers and agues, and other ailments. Much of the frightful mortality among the troops and population of Hong Kong last year was caused, or aided by the convivial habits of the sufferers."

China (February, 1845)

Source: The Friend. Honolulu: February, 1845. Page 21-22. 

The Natches, which arrived hereon Saturday, has completed a voyage round the globe in nine months and eighteen days, having left this on the 14th January last. She proceeded by the Cape of Good Hope to New York, in 95 days, where she discharged, took in a new cargo and sailed 20th May, returning by Cape Horn to Valparaiso in 71 days, the shortest paasage ever made. The run from Lima was accomplished in 65 1-2 days. Her previous voyage by the same route occupied nine months and twenty two days, or four days longer.— Hong Kong Register. 

The wife of the Rev. J, L. Shuck, Baptist Missionary at Hong Kong, died about the first of Dec. Capt. Engle, master of the American bark Valparaiso, died in China about November 10. He will be remembered at the Islands as having commanded the American ship Hopewell, Philadelphia. 

Mr. S. W. Williams, printer and agent of the American B. C. F. Missions in China, sailed for the United States November26th, but expects to return.

The French Commissioner to China, has concluded a treaty, similar, as report says to that between the U. S. and China.

Currency in China (July, 1857)

Source: Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: July 23, 1857.

European and American merchants have ever experienced much difficulty in obtaining the current coin with which teas, silks, &c., may be paid for in China. With the exception of bars silver, or lumps, called “shoes of Sycee,” the Chinese use no current silver coin in their commerce between themselves. They buy and sell by the TAEL, a measure of value equal to about $1.75-100 of our money, and of weight about one ounce and a third. They are so suspicious of all foreign coin, that in their trade with foreigners they will receive no other than the Carolus Dollars, and it is believed that at this time nearly the entire issue of that coin by the Spanish mint is in China.

Efforts have been repeatedly made to induce the Chinese Government to establish a mint of their own, but in vain: for it is alleged on their part, that the government suffer from peculation, and the people from a debasement of the precious metal.

The mandarins have often issued their edicts at all dollars (silver) should be received in trade, but the Chinese merchants have paid no attention to it, and have uniformly refused to part with their produce for any other than those of the Carolus pillar and stamp. Even those with the head and signet of Ferdinand, are not accounted receivable at par.

The consequence is, that the Carolus dollar has become the standard of foreign currency in China, and exchange on Europe and the United States is always regulated by that standard.

These inconveniences have so much embarrassed foreign trade that the English Government of the Hong Kong merchants have ascertained the idea of establishing a mint for striking dollars in all respects in weight and fineness to the Carolus- and the foreign merchants of all nations there have joined in memorials to that end. But it does not appear that this course of procedure would overcome or obviate existing difficulties, for the prejudices of the Chinese against all foreign coin, with the exception of the Carolus dollar, would not be removed. 

Generally silver, whether in the form of coin or in “shoes,” or lumps, is paid and received by weight. The chopped dollar -or Spanish dollar which is so cut up by the marks of Chinese traders that it cannot be told in the reign it was cast- is more valuable than the Mexico: and the fair and unmarked Carolus dollar more valuable than either; although each may be of the same weight.

It requires 108 taels weight of Mexican dollars to buy a 100 taels weight of Sycee, or pure silver; 101 taels weight of chopped dollars to buy 109 taels of Sycee; and only 74 taels of Carolus dollars to buy the same weight of Sycee.

If there is all this difference in the fineness of those several coins, we believe the Chinese have been the first to discover it. We incline to the opinon that the difference is to a great extent imaginary; and that it is attributable not so much to a difference in the actual values, as to the unconquerable prejudices of that remarkable people. 

This condition of the currency in China accounts for the enormous rate of exchange at Shanghae. Nearly two dollars in the formed drafts on England or the United States are required to propose one unbroken or unmarked dollar of the Carolus camp at that place. The necessity of a common currency there is very great, but we shall be slow to believe that it can be afforded by an English mint at Hong Kong, certainly not until the Chinaman's exclusive love of the Carolus dollar can be updated. 

-N.Y. Journal of Commerce.

*Lumps of silver cast in the form of the thick soled shoes usually worn by the Chinese women. 

Notes of the Week: From China (Cholera Epidemic in Shanghai, 1863)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: October 15, 1863. 

The ship Asa Eldridge arrived from Shanghae last Saturday, with the passage of about 43 days. By her we learn that the Cholea was prevailing very extensively at that port, and that there had been over 30,000 deaths from the plague in the city and its vicinity. So rapid was the disease that within twelve hours, and frequently within four hours, after it attacked persons, they were corpses. Of course no physicians or medicines could have provided for such an emergency, and the plague had its own way. It was found impossible to take care of the dead in the whole city and vicinity were one vast sepulchre. Dead bodies were daily seen floating down the river past the city, the same river from which the inhabitants obtained their drinking water. What will our Honolulu people think of this when talking of the unhealthiness of our city? So hot was it in Shanghae that foreigners could not venture out in the sun after 9 o’clock A.M., and business of almost every kind was suspended. Many of the merchants and foreign residents were leaving the city either temporarily or permanently, and we heard a gentleman say that ten thousand dollars a year would not tempt him to return and live there. This account may be too highly colored, and when the cool season returns, the plague will doubtless disappear and Shanghae regain its usual state of healthiness and trade. Over two hundred foreign vessels were in port when the A.E. left. 

Rebel Steamers in Chinese Waters (1864)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: March 19, 1864. 

The Tribune says: Our London correspondence contains some precise information on a point of importance, which has as yet attracted little or no attention. The news in a nutshell is this: at this moment there is a fleet of six rebel war steamers in Chinese waters. These vessels were fitted out in England by Sherod Osborne, an English naval captain. The crews were recruited among the officers and men of her Britannic Majesty's Navy. They were under contract to the Chinese Government, but when they reached China a disagreement arose between Osborne and the Chinese authorities, and the vessels were not delivered but thrown on the market and sold at auction- Osborne, officers, crew, guns and all -to Jeff Davis. It is intimated, not unnaturally, that Osborne had some slight expectation of reaching this result when he left England. Funds for the purpose are said to have been provided in part by the sale of the rebel ram in the Clyde. There are now but few American ships in East Indian waters, and it is thought that these, being thus thrown in company with rebel pirates, may be destroyed previous to an attack being made on San Francisco. In order to show their respect for British neutrality, the British crews take an oath of naturalization as citizens of the Confederacy when the flag changes. If, therefore, San Francisco should happen to be burned and plundered, John Bull washes his hands of all responsibility. 

Steam Across the Pacific (1864)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: Saturday, April 9, 1864.

We trust the day is not distant when we may chronicle the establishment of a permanent steam line between San Francisco and China via Honolulu, by Americans and under the patronage of the American Government. The line, about which so much has been said a year ago, appears to have been given up-why, we know not, unless it was because the vessels were found to pay better running between Chinese ports. In the Boston Commercial Bulletin of a late date, we find the following item. Capt. Forbes is one of the most enterprising Bostonians living, and it may be that the vessel he is building is to become the pioneer of a new line. As soon as the war is ended, American foreign commerce will receive a new and increased impetus, and will more than regain what was lost:

Capt. R.B. Forbes is having built for him a splendid propeller of about 1,500 tons. She is 254 feet long, 35 wide, 16 feet 4 inches deep, including 7 feet height of between-decks. Sje is of oak and is intended to run between San Francisco and China; but in her arrangements, she will be so constructed as to be readily converted into a sloop-of-war. She will be a full rigged ship, with Forbes' rig, having her topmasts ridded abaft the heads of the lower masts.

The Allied Armies for China (June, 1860)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: Saturday, June 20, 1860.

In regard to this formidable force we clip the following from one of our late exchanges. It certainly looks like work ahead for the surgeons.

An impression prevails among the merchants and mariners, who are naturally more intimate with Chinese manners and customs tan any other class of men who visit the Celestial Empire, that the Emperor and his court will do anything (on paper) to prevent war, and, then will do with characteristic deceit, break the treaty. Cunning and treachery are prominent traits in the Asiatic character-their maxim and practice in international policy being to overreach, and not to carry out even their most solemn engagements in good faith. It is clear, however, that England and France are not in a humor to be trifled with. The combined forces of the allies will be a very formidable expedition. That of England will consist of eleven regiments of infantry, each one thousand strong, that is of eleven thousand; of twi hundred European cavalry; of seventeen batteries of European artillery from India, one Armstrong battery from England, say eighteen hundred men; of three companies of European engineers, three hundred men; of three battalions of marines, three thousand men; of a like number of sailors to serve on land, three thousand; of fine battalions of native infantry of Bengal, each eight hundred strong, or four thousand men; of three battalions Madras and Bombay, each one thousand strong, or three thousand men; of three hundred native cavalry; of one battery of native artillery, one hundred men; and two hundred native sappers and miners.

The English portion of the allied army will then consist of eighteen thousand three hundred European and seven thousand six hundred natives, a total of twenty-five thousand nine hundred men, adding to this ten thousand French infantry and cavalry, and say half as many mariners and sailors as the English contribution to the allied forces, or three thousand, and the total expedition will amount to thirty-eight thousand nine hundred men, excessive of the navy. These forces will proceed to north China, and probably advance to Pekin, in which capital, it is believed, the Europeans are resolved to negotiate. It is understood that China is to be required to defray all expenses of the two expeditions, whether the Emperor submits to terms, by way of avoiding war, or not. The nearest landing place on the coast of Pekin, is at a distance of a hundred miles, and the country to be traversed is described as marshy, and difficult for the passage of armies. On fit that the combined expedition will be under the direction of two diplomatists, twi generals, and two admirals. Will they agree in their counsels? 

Later from Victoria.

By the Jenny Ford, we have dates to the 30th April. We clip the following from our exchanges:

CHINESE TRADE DIRECT WITH VICTORIA. -The Norwegian ship Hebe arrived at Victoria on the 25th April, 62 days out from Hongkong. She brought 255 Chinese passengers, and an assorted cargo of China goods, of true value of $11,669, and is consigned to the Chinese house of Quang Lee & Co. nearer than San Francisco, and having the advantage of a free port, it would be strange indeed if Victoria were to allow her powerful neighbor to monopolize all the advantages of a direct intercourse with China. Two other vessels are loading at Hingkong for this port; one of them, the American ship Red Rover, was to leave on the 17th of March.

-Colonist.

Hongkong Estimate of the Treaties of Tien-Tsin (1859)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: February 19, 1859. 

The edits of the Honhkong Register in his paper of the 25th September, thus gives his opinion of the concessions of the English Treaty of Tien-Tsin:

It is not many days since one of the shrewdest politicians our here, on being asked his opinion of the Treaty of Tien-Tsin, observed “in that treaty there are ten battles.” Were there even an attempt made to carry it out, we fully believe that this would prove to be the case. But we are much mistaken if some time has not still to elapse before even this attempt is made. That some of the concessions that have been offered will be all be actually yielded we do not doubt. Ports which we have really had access to for years we shall now have a recognized right to enter. The privilege of developing the commerce of the Yang-tze-kiang we have accorded to us by treaty, and must get from the Tae-ping rebels when and as we can; while the great local sore of Canton, the source and origin of this and every other difficulty, will be unhealthily skinned over to break out and fester afresh at some not distant period, to derange again the whole constitution of our relations with China. Such, in a few words, we believe to be what would inevitably result from the attempted fulfillment of the treaty. But even so far the Imperial Court seems unwilling to go. Commissioners appointed, Commissioners coming, Commissioners waiting, Commissioners recalled, but ever and always, English and French Plenipotentiaries dancing attendance at Shanghae, treaty in hand and soliciting its fulfillment, such has week after week been the tenor of our news from the North.

This week the Celestial dignity, to amuse, we presume, and encourage our patience, exhibits a list of the staff by which the said Commissioners are to be attended on their journey southwards. This is the pageant, but behind there lurks the significant reality that even now the article which stipulates that the obnoxious designation of barbarians “E” should be discontinued, as applied to foreigners, is disregarded, and while our Plenipotentiaries are contentedly admiring their own great achievements, the Imperial sanction is given to the erection of extensive fortifications and defenses on the Peiho, avowedly erected for the purpose of keeping out the barbarians for the future.

It may be readily conceived that the fortifications are nothing in themselves. The fate of the Bogue Forts, admirably as they are placed, must, ere this, have proven even to those among the Chinese who are not blinded by the prejudice, that they can make no resistance to Western arms; but the intention, the animus, that this open announcement displays, speaks volumes. We have left the neighborhood of the capita; we have got our treaty under the threat of going to Pekin; and now, while we are waiting and talking, the Imperial Government will be doing what it can to avert the recurrence of such an unwelcome visit. 

Foreign Summary (Lord Elgin’s Report Quoted, 1859)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: July 7, 1859. 

NANKIN. -From Lord Elgin’s report of his cruise up the River Yangtse Kiang, to and beyond Nankin, as published in the China papers, we quite the following:

“From the ship’s tops we could discern the beleaguering hosts of the Imperialist army, crowning the hills in rear of Nankin, their encampments forming a complete and extended semi-circle round the devoted city which they have been so long and ineffectually engaged in besieging. In the course of the same afternoon, some flaunting rebels in gay colors had the audacity to wave defiant flags and fire gin galls at us, but when they brought a gun to bear upon us from a small redoubt, we considered the joke had gone far enough, and after two or three shots from the Retribution and Furious, a well directed 68 pounder from the former knocked the whole of their gingerbread Fort to smithereens, and sent its occupants scampering over the open plain, their long yellow and red robes streaming in the wind, in ludicrous dismay and confusion. That night we anchored near the rebel city of Taiping, from whence, in consequence, doubtless, of the affairs at the Redoubt, we received amicable overtures which however were very curtly responded to.   On the following day we were again delayed by shoals, and did not reach the rebel town or Woohoo till the afternoon of the 23rd. Here again our prestige had preceded us, and we were received with so much civility by the insurgents that some of us landed, and were treated with great politeness by their Chief, a Canton man of a low type, surrounded by a disorderly rabble of opium-smoking disreputable looking men and youth, the latter in preponderance, tricked out in the usual show of gaudy plumage. Altogether we were most unfavorably impressed with the general aspect of these gentry, whose religious knowledge consisted but of a confused jumble of the persons of the God head, and whose practice, to judge by the scourge they have proved to the country, the reputation they have left behind them, and their own admission, is far below that of professing Christians generally.” 

Letter from Hongkong (Correspondence Pac. Commercial Advertiser, 1859)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: June 30, 1859. 

HONGKONG, April 18, 1859

DEAR SIR: -The clipper ship Sea Serpent, Capt. Whitmore, arrived yesterday, and brought us full files of your valuable paper. It has been several months since we have heard from the Islands, and we were all glad to hear from you. Business here continues to be unusually depressed; everything is at a dead stand. With the exception of a few ships now on the berth for California, there is nothing doing. At present we have very few ships in port, most of them having left here in ballast, and many of them home direct in ballast. Should the dry weather which we now have continue a few days more, the rice crop will be seriously damaged, which will again give employment to ships to bring rice from the south. Calcutta, Penang, Singapore, and even Bankok, are full of ships, with nothing to do.

The U.S.S. frigate Powhatan has gone to Singapore to bring up the American Minister, and one of H.B.M.’s frigates has gone down for Mr. Bruce, the English Ambassador. They are both expected here in a few days. A large force is now ready to go with them to Pekin.

The U.S.S. Mississippi and sloop-of-war Germantown are at Japan, and it is probable the Mississippi will be in your port before you receive this, on her way to Panama, with the Japanese Ambassador. The First Lieutenant of the Germantown is here very sick, and is not expected to live from day to day. His complaint is abscess of the liver, which of which burst into the cavity of the chest.

No whaleships have touched here this season, which is something very unusual. We have heard of several at Nangasaki, in Japan; but the report was not reliable and very indefinite. For the principal intelligence I must refer you to the papers which I send you with this.

Very truly yours, * * * * *

The Chinese Physician Question (September, 1859)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: September 8, 1859. 

HONOLULU, Sept. 6th, 1859.

MR. EDITOR:  -Allow me through the columns of your widely disseminated journal to call the attention of our citizens to a manifest injustice which is perpetuated on our fellow townsmen, the Chinese, in the refusal of the Board of Examiners (or a portion of them) to grant a certificate for practice to a physician of that nation. That it may be just in the majority of instances, I will not deny, and in particular instance to which I wish to draw attention, there may be good and cogent reasons, also, for not granting the certificate, (for “who shall agree, when Doctors disagree,”) which I am not aware of, or have not been made acquainted with. My informants, and they are of the most respectable and extensive dealing Chinese merchants, complain that a physician of their own nation and lineage is refused a certificate or license to practice medicine, and that he will consequently be obliged to leave the country. The doctor in question, (for they say he is legally entitled to his diploma, having received it at Macao,) has had charge at one time of 365 Chinese passengers, from Hongkong to San Francisco; has practice among the Chinese population both in Macao and San Francisco, and has been here since 1852, and was very active and useful during the smallpox epidemic of 1853. They have the most entire confidence in him, both for their own families and the laborers on their plantations, and in the medicines prepared by him, according to the Pharmacopoeia of their country.  The Doctor also has the certificates of the leading firms of the mercantile houses here, to his good character as a man and a citizen. Can it be just, then, do you or does any other man of a nicely balanced sense of right or wrong, think, to keep from such a person a license by means of powers entrusted to a special tribunal composed of three physicians, (and I am told that the majority are for granting it?) Is there is no ulterior pecuniary gain to be derived from this stretch of power? Does it look as if it was forcing in the Chinese to purchase medicines of the Europeans? Has it not the scent of monopoly about it? 

We all know the Chinese of the “coolie” class are a troublesome and  and annoying set of people,  but no members of our community are more respected then the parties who complain of the treatment they are having meted out to them, in their choice of physician, a choice looked upon, and guarded by everyman, as his most special privilege to exercise.

It is the first instance, in many years Quintons I have ever known them seek the columns of the public prints, for an expose of grievances and I trust you will give their humble remonstrance a place in your paper 

TYPHAN

The California Anti-Chinese Act (January, 1859)

Source: The Pacific Commercial Advertiser. Honolulu: January 6, 1859. 

Several months ago we called public attention to this act, passed by the California Legislature at its last session, pointing out its in justice and maintaining that it was impolitic for a great and Christian state to exclude the Chinese from the entrance within her ports, at the same moment that the United States, England, France, and Russia were compelling China, at the point of the bayonet, to aborgate this very same law of exclusion of barbarians. 

In order that our readers may see what the law is we give below the two most important sections:

SEC. 1.-On and after the first day of October, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight,  any person or persons of the Chinese or Mongolian races shall not be permitted to enter the State, or land therein, and at any part or portion thereof; and it shall be unlawful for any man or person, whether captain or commander, or other person in charge of or interested in, or employing on board of, or passenger upon any vessel or vessels, of any nature or description whatsoever, to knowingly allow or permit any Chinese or Mongolian, on and after such time to enter any of the ports of this State, to land therein, or at any place or places within the borders of this State. 

The penalties incurred by a violation of this Act are very severe, being,

A fine in any sum not less than four hundred dollars nor more than six hundred dollars, for each and every offense, or imprisonment in the country jail of the country in which the said offense was committed, for a period of not less than three months nor more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.  

The object of the law was to check the immigration of the hordes of Chinese and Lascars which have been pouring into San Francisco for several years. There is no question that in many parts of the state of California the Chinese are very troublesome; but are they any more so than immigrants from South America or portions of Europe? 

The law, however, excludes not merely coolies or Chinese immigrants but also respectable Chinese merchants. We have here on these islands, perhaps a hundred Chinese merchants of good standing, and it is a well-known fact that at least one fourth of the trade between the support and San Francisco, and vice versa is transected on account of Chinese. Now the question arises, can these Chinese merchants visit San Francisco to purchase their stocks? The law most emphatically says no, and imposes a fine of $600 on the Captain who takes such passengers. 

Here is the manifest injustice of the law. Some six or eight resident Chinese merchants most of whom are naturalized Hawaiian subjects, have a four applied for a passage to San Francisco in the bark Yankee, for the purpose of purchasing goods there, intending to return in the same vessel. They are all respectable men, some of them doing a business of fifty to a hundred thousand dollars per annum. Capt. Smith of avers that the law forbids is taking them over, and we think he is correct. 

The Chinese Act is a manifest imposition on commerce and trade, and a disgrace to the State of California. While attempting to check an evil, it overshoots the mark it was intended to hit and injures legitimate travel and trade. We trust that some steps will be taken by our authorities to call the attention of the California state officers to the injustice of the law as it now stands, and if possible open some way by which our Chinese merchants can visit California.

Raw Silk from Koloa and Hanalei Received in Honolulu (July, 1840)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: July 25, 1840. Page27, Column 2.

Several specimens of raw silk from the plantations at Koloa and Hanalei, have been received at Honolulu lately, which for evenness of thread, strength and gloss, are unsurpassed by the best productions of the skill of the United States.

They are reeled from the pure American worm, and from the cross breed of the American and China. The white specimen which has the strongest thread, is from the American. The others are of the mixed breed, and give a finer thread of a delicate straw or dark orange color of exceedingly beautiful lustre. A portion of this was reeled by the native women, and proves beyond doubt their ability t compete, (under proper management) with foreign reelers.

The only hindrance to a large crop this season, may arise from the threatened scarcity of mulberry leaves.

Declaration of War Against China (June, 1840)

Source: The Polynesian. Honolulu: June 27, 1840. Page 11, Column 1

We extract the following from the Waterford Chronicle of March 14th, received by the William, from St. Blas.

The Governor General of India has, in the name of the British government, declared war against China. His Lordship has advertised for 40,000 tons of shipping, for the transport of the troops to China, 14,000 of which were to be supplied by Calcutta, and the rest by Madras and Bombay. The expedition was to rendezvous at and is to sail from Calcutta. Seven regiments quartered this last Presidency had been ordered to prepare for embarkation, and the whole expedition was to consist of 16,000 men. Its destination was not known but it was deemed probable that it would be directed against Canton, or some other point on the coast, which forcible possession would be kept until the Chinese government should be brought to reason.

The last accounts from Canton are dated Dec. 8th. The Emperor had addressed to Governor Lin, a decree prohibiting the importation of British goods, and the trade with China was consequently at an end.

The Americans continue to pursue their trade unmolested, and their ships were arriving and departing as usual. -Times.