the prisoners, by the first fleet, was established at Parramatta.' The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, the first journal in Australia, was commenced by Mr. George Howe, in 1803. Now there are in New South Wales, five newspapers; and eight in Van Diemen's land. They have two agricultural societies; a chamber of commerce; five bauks; two colleges; and several benevolent societies, among which are the Australian Tract Society, the Auxiliary Bible Society, and the Wesleyan Auxiliary Missionary Society.

ART. VI. Journal of Occurrences; edicts from the governor and hoppo of Canton; imperial commissioners; new hoppo; literati; Siamese and Cochinchinese tribute bearers.

We omit to notice a variety of minor occurrences during the present month, for the sake of affording room to a series of official papers which have been sent out by the Chinese authorities, since the arrival of lord Napier on the morning of the 25th ult. Nothing more has yet transpired than we expected, nor even so much. Thus far the course of the British authorities has been marked by great moderation, decision, and frankness, a course from which it is hoped there will be no deviation. Previous to his lordship's arrival, there had long been a dead calm, and both the Chinese officers and the hong merchants were waiting in suspense for that event. The several edicts which we subjoin will show something of the manner in which he has been received. They will seem 'stale, flat, and unprofitable' enough to our local readers; but it is on those abroad that we enjoin' their perusal; and as they exhibit the mind and temper of this people, they are valuable.

A few remarks are necessary to enable those who are not on the spot to understand the merits of the case. In Jan. 1831, an edict was published by the governor of Canton, stating “that in case of the dissolution of the company, it was incumbent on the British government to appoint a chief to come to Canton for the general management of commercial dealings, and to prevent affairs from going to confusion." In accordance with that edict, lord Napier arrived in Canton, bringing with him from his government instructions, from which the following is an extract :

"In execution of the said commission, you will take up your residence at the port of Canton, in the dominions of the emperor of China, and you will discharge the several duties confided to you by the said commission and orders in council respectively at Canton as aforesaid, or at any other place which may be for that purpose appointed by us, and not elsewhere.-The Bocca Tigris, which is marked by a fort immediately above Anson's bay, forms the limit of the port of Canton, and your lordship will conform to that understanding." See Canton Register for August 26th, 1834.

On the 26th ult., the next day after lord Napier reached Canton, he sent a letter, by the hands of his own secretary, to the city gates for the governor: the communication was sealed and addressed to his excellency in due stylebut it was not a petition, and on that account was rejected. In the mean time, orders were accumulating on the hands of the hong merchants, who were endeavoring to enjoin them on his lordship. After it was made plain to the Chinese that he would not receive them, they were lodged in the hands of the British merchants, who took care, at the same time that they received it, to assure the hong merchants that they could do no more than merely acknow

ledge the receipt of the edicts, as their commercial interests were now under the superintendence of lord Napier, the representative of the king of Great Britain. In this way the following documents have come before the public.

(No. 1.)

Loo, governor of Kicangtung, &c. &c. to the hong merchants :

The Hee (or naval officer,) of the Heängshan district, with others, has reported "that an English war vessel having on board a barbarian eye, had. from the outer seas, sailed to Cabreta point (off Macao), and there anchored. On inquiry it was stated that he was to examine and have superintendence of the said nation's merchant vessels coming to Canton to trade, &c. As duty requires, a report is made." According to this, I have examined and find. that hitherto, outside barbarians trading to Canton have only had taepans, (chief supercargoes,) buying and selling goods. They have been permitted to request permits, and then come to Canton. But ordinarily they have only had permission to reside at Macao. The English have traded at Canton upwards of a hundred years, and with regard to all the regulations, there has long been mutual tranquillity. The said hong merchants before reported, that this year the English company is dissolved. The barbarian eye who has now come is of course for the superintendence and examination of this business. And the barbarian eye is not on a par with the taepans. If he wishes to come to Canton, it will be necessary to make first a clear report, requesting the imperial will on the subject. As to the commercial affairs, if there be circumstances absolutely requiring the establishment of other regulations, a petition of requests, after inquiry and deliberation on the part of the hong merchants, must also be sent by them, that a memorial may be prepared, and obedience called for.

Uniting these circumstances, this order is issued. When the order is received by the said merchants, let them immediately go in person to Macao, and ascertain clearly from the barbarian eye, for what he has come to Canton province. Let them also inquire fully and minutely as to what other regulations require to be now established, since this year the said nation's company has been dissolved. Then let them report in answer, to afford evidence on which to make a plain and full memorial, for directions as to what conduct is to be observed, and as to what obedience is to be required. And let them authoritatively enjoin the established laws of the celestial empire, that, with the exception of the taepans and other barbarian merchants trading to Canton, none can be permitted to come to Canton, without a report having been made, and the mandate received. The said barbarian eye, having to examine concerning and superintend the affairs of commerce, may reside at Macao. If he wishes to come to Canton, he must inform the said merchants, that they may previously petition me, the governor, and I will by post-conveyance send a memorial, and all must respectfully wait till the mandate of the great emperor has been received. Then orders will be issued to require obedience. Oppose not! A special order.

Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 15th day. [July 21st, 1834.]

(No. 2.)

Loo, governor, &c. &c.. to the hong merchants.

The outside barbarians of the English nation have had a continued trade at Canton for a hundred and some tens of years. All affairs are conducted according to the established regulations reported to the emperor, which have long been obeyed and kept. Although the barbarians are beyond the bounds of civilization, yet having come to Canton to trade, they should immediately give implicit obedience to the established laws of the celestial empire. Then they may enjoy tranquillity. New come barbarians, not understanding the dignity of the statutes, you, with the linguists, compradors, &c., should instruct clearly and authoritatively in all things, to prevent their overstepping or opposing.

I find on examination that foreigners coming to Canton province have hitherto been permitted only to reside at Macao. When they have affairs of buying and selling goods, &c. to conduct, they are then permitted to request and receive from the superintendent of the Canton customs a permit to come to Canton,

Whatever utensils, vessels, &c. they carry with them, must every one pass examination at the custom-house, and a report of them must be made. The superintendent of the customs sends a communication on the subject to my office, to be placed on record.

On this occasion, the barbarian eye, lut Laepe (i. e. the headman, lord Napier,) has come to Canton, without having at all resided at Macao, to wait for orders. Ner has he requested or received a permit from the superintendent of customs; but has hastily come up to Canton.—A great infringement of the established laws! The custom-house writers and others, who presumed to admit him to enter, are sent, with a communication, requiring their trial. But in tender consideration for the said barbarian eye, being a new comer and unacquainted with the statutes and laws of the celestial empire, I will not strictly investigate. But it is not expedient that the said barbarian eye should long remain at Canton provincial city; it must be required, that when the commercial business regarding which he has to inquire and hold jurisdiction is finished, he immediately return to Macao. And hereafter, without having requested and obtained a permit, he cannot be permitted to come to Canton.

As to the object of the said barbarian eye's coming to Canton, it is for commer cial business: The celestial empire appoints officers-civil ones to rule the people-military ones to intimidate the wicked. The petty affairs of commerce are to be directed by the merchants themselves. The officers have nothing to hear on the subject. In the trade of the said barbarians, if there are any changes to be made in regulations, &c., in all cases, the said merchants are to consult together, and make a joint statement to the superintendent of customs and to my office. Whether (the proposals) shall he allowed or disallowed must be learned by waiting for a reply publicly. If any affair is to be newly commenced, it is requisite to wait till a respectful memorial be made, clearly reporting to the great emperor, and his mandate received. Then it may be commenced, and orders may be issued requiring obedience.

The great ministers of the celestial empire, are not permitted to have private intercourse by letters with outside barbarians. If the said barbarian eye throws in private letters, I, the governor, will not at all receive or look at them. With regard to the barbarian factory of the company, without the walls of the city, it is a place of temporary residence for barbarians coming to Canton to trade. They are permitted only to eat, sleep, buy, and sell in the factories. They are not permitted to go out to ramble about. All these are points decided by fixed and certain laws and statutes; which will not bear to be confusedly transgressed.

To sum up the whole matter: the nation has its laws; it is so everywhere. Even England has its laws. How much more the celestial empire! How flaming bright are its great laws and ordinances. More terrible than the awful thunderbolt! Un, der this whole bright heaven, none dares to disobey them. Under its shelter are the four seas. Subject to its soothing care are ten thousand kingdoms. The said barbarian eye, having come over a sea of several myriads of miles in extent to examine and have superintendence of affairs, must be a man thoroughly acquaint: ed with the principles of high dignity. And in his person he sustains the duties of an officer-an eye. Then only can he control and restrain the barbarian mer, chants.

I, the governor, looking up, will embody the extreme wish of the great emperor to cherish with tenderness the men from a distance. And assuredly I will not treat slightingly the outside barbarians. But the national laws are extremely strict and close-drawn; we dare not in the least transgress. Let the said barbarian eye be very careful not to listen to the artful instigations of evil men, enticing him until he fails of the object of the said nation's king in sending him so far.

Uniting all, I issue the order to be enjoined. When the order reaches the said merchants, let them immediately act in obedience to it, and enjoin the order on the said barbarian eye, that he may know it thoroughly. Oppose it not! The said merchants have had intercourse with barbarians for many years. Their knowJedge of their language and feelings must be good. The linguists and compradors are more closely allied to the barbarians. If they truly explain clearly, opening and guiding the understanding, the said barbarian eye assuredly cannot but obey. If there should be disobedience and opposition, it must be owing to the bad ma

nagement of the said merchants, and to the instigation of the linguists. Assuredly, the said merchants shall be reported against, that they may be punished; and on the linguists the laws shall instantly be put in full force. (A phrase for capital punishment.) Make not repentance (necessary). These are the orders. Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 21st day. [July 27th, 1834.]

(No. 3.)

Loo, governor, &c. &c. to the hong merchants.

It appears that the outside barbarians of the English nation, trading to Canton, have hitherto only had permission for taepans, &c., at the period of buying and selling goods, to request and obtain a red permit (i. e. one bearing the stamp of the great hoppo) to come in or go out of port. In all things they have had rules and regulations, fixed by memorial to the emperor. They have never had such an affair as a barbarian eye coming to Canton. It was before authenticated that the Hee of Heangshan district reported that the English cruiser Chads, bringing a barbarian eye, lord Napier, had sailed in from the outer seas; and that, on inquiring it was found, he had come to Canton to examine and superintend the affairs of commerce.

I, the governor, having examined, find that a barbarian eye is not on a par with barbarian merchants. The business being one to be newly commenced, without a report being made and a mandate received, he cannot have permission to come of his own accord to Canton. I issued orders to the hong merchants to go to Macao and enjoin orders requiring him to reside at Macao. If he desired to come to Canton, he was required to inform the said merchants, that they might petition me, the governor, and respectfully wait until having reported, I should receive an imperial mandate; then further orders might be issued to command obedience. Thereafter, the said merchants not having yet reached Macao, the said barbarian eye, set out and came to Canton. Neither having in the first place made a plain petition, nor having in the next instance obediently obtained a permit, he, with precipitate haste, came in a sailing boat to Canton. It is indeed a great infringement of the laws. Considering that the said barbarian eye has but newly arrived, and is unacquainted with the dignity of the statutes of the celestial empire, he is absolved from strict investigation.

The said merchants have been again ordered to enjoin commands and to investigate. But for what purpose the said barbarian eye has come to Canton, and why he did not apply for a permit,-it does not yet appear that the said merchants have obtained any clear information or made any report.

On examination I find, that in all that relates to outside barbarians coming to Canton to trade, the hong merchants are in every respect held responsible for keeping up strict investigation, controlling and restraining. The said merchants (those sent to Macao,) have filled the situation of seniors over the merchants for many years. How is it that they understood not the fixed laws, but after repeated orders, indulge their own dispositions, deferring and delaying? What is it that occupies their minds? It is extremely inexplicable! It would be right to take the circumstances of the said merchants' negligent connivance at the conduct of the outside barbarians, and at once report against them (to the em peror). In indulgence, I once more command urgent haste, When this order reaches the said merchants, let them immediately act in obedience to it, and enjoin in an explanatory manner the previous orders. Let them inquire fully for what purpose the said barbarian eye has come to Canton, and why he, without obtaining a permit, precipitately came (to the provincial city). And let them report in answer. Let them at the same time command the said barbarian eye immediately to set off and leave the port. He must not stop in the foreign factories, outside the city, loitering about. If he have affairs requiring his immediate superintendence. let him temporarily reside at Macao, waiting till a prepared report has been made requesting to know the imperial will that it may be obeyed. Should he dare to resist or oppose, it will be all owing to the indulgence and connivance of the said merchants. The affair concerns the national dignity. I, the governor, will be able only to report against the said merchants, that they may be brought to trial. Say not that you were not forewarned. Tremble thereat. A special order. Taqukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 24th day. [July 30th, 1834.]

(No. 4.)

Loo. governor, &c. &c., to the hong merchants.

On the 19th day of the 6th moon (July 25th), I received the following communi. cation from Chung, superintendent of the Canton maritime customs:

"The domestics at the custom-house station behind the factories, (on the river side in front of the factories,) have reported as follows:- In examining we perceived, during the night of the 18th of the present moon, about midnight, the arrival of a barbarian ship's boat at Canton, bringing four English devils, who went into the barbarian factories to reside. After having searched, we could find nopermit or pass. And having heard by report that there is at present a ship of war of the said nation anchored in the outer seas, but not having been able to learn for what purpose, we think that such coming as this is manifestly a clandestine stealing into Canton. Whether or not the bong merchants and linguists are in any way consorting with them, we must, in making our report, request you, as our duty requires, to examine. This is a list of the four barbarians' names: lord Napier, who we hear is a war commander, Davis, Morrison, and Robinson.'

"I, the hoppo, having received this, have examined, and find that when barbarian merchants, who come to Canton province, have to come to the provincial city, or go down to Macao, the regulations require that the hong merchants should make a petition requesting for them a permit, and that I, the hoppo should then forward a communication to your honorable office, and also should send information to the Kwangchow heč, or to the Macao assistant magistrate of the department, that they may send a military escort. This has long been the mode of conducting the affair, which has been obeyed and practiced, as is on record.

"Before this, the weiynens [deputed officers] of the Macao custom-house reported, that an English cruiser Chads had anchored at Cabreta offing; and that on board the vessel was a barbarian eye, come to examine and superintend the mercantile affairs of the said nation's merchant ships trading to Canton. I, at that time sent a communication to your honorable office for examination. I also gave orders to the hong merchants to be replied to after examination. But the hong merchants, without having in. the first instance, reported the English cruiser and barbarian eye's arrival at Canton; and without having in the second place, when orders had been given them to examine, made any report of doing so, have at last permitted the barbarian eye to come clandestinely to Canton, How, in this way, can the precautions against foreigners be rendered forcible, and the dignity of imperial servants be made more awful and imposing! Although the barbarian cye be unacquainted with the laws of the celestial empire, how can the hong merchants have the excuse of ignorance, that they should audaciously presume, without having asked and obtained a permit, to suffer him to come to Canton! Truly there is no respect for the laws before their eyes!

"Besides again issuing a strict order to the hong merchants to examine and reply, I also forward this communication, that having examined, you may with severity command the hong merchants to examine and act."

This coming before me, the governor, I find on examination, with regard to the English barbarian eye coming to Canton, that I, the governor, have already issued repeated orders to the said merchants to be by them enjoined authoritatively, as is on record. Having received the communication as above, I unite the circumstances and again issue this order. When it reaches the said merchants, let them im. mediately obey, and in accordance with the tenor of the several previous orders, ascertain clearly for what the said barbarian eye has come to Canton, and why, in disobedience to the regulations, he has not requested a red permit, Let them instantly on the same day, report in answer. At the same time, let them order and compel him immediately, with speed, to return to Macao, and reside there, waiting till I, the governor have made a prepared report, to request the imperial will to be made known, that it may be obeyed. Should there be any opposition, the said merchants will be held solely responsible. Tremble hereat,-intensely, intensely, tremble! These are the orders.

Taoukwang, 14th year, 6th moon, 25th day. [July 31st 1834.]

(No. 5.)

Chung, by imperial commission, superintendent of the port of Canton province, &c. issues this order to the hong merchants requiring their full acquaintance with it.