Imatges de pàgina
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circumstances must first be transmitted to the Consul, who will give a certificate to that effect, and the Superintendent of Customs will then send a special officer to be present at the transshipment. If any one presumes to transship without such permission being asked for and obtained, the whole of the goods so illicitly transshipped will be confiscated.

XII. SUBORDINATE CONSULAR OFFICERS.-At any place selected for the anchorage of the English merchant ships, there may be appointed a subordinate consular officer, of approved good conduct, to exercise due control over the seamen and others. He must exert himself to prevent quarrels between the English seamen and natives, this being of the utmost importance. Should anything of the kind unfortunately take place, he will in like manner do his best to arrange it amicably. When sailors go on shore to walk, officers shall be required to accompany them, and, should disturbances take place, such officers will be held responsible. The Chinese officers may not impede natives from coming alongside the ships to sell clothes or other necessaries to the sailors living on board.

XIII. DISPUTES BETWEEN BRITISH SUBJECTS AND CHINESE. Whenever a British subject has reason to complain of a Chinese, he must first proceed to the Consulate and state his grievance; the Consul will thereupon inquire into the merits of the case, and do his utmost to arrange it amicably. In like manner, if a Chinese have reason to complain of a British subject, he shall no less listen to his complaint, and endeavour to settle it in a friendly manner. If an English merchant have occasion to address the Chinese authorities, he shall send such address through the Consul, who will see that the language is becoming; and, if otherwise, will direct it to be changed, or will refuse to convey the address. If, unfortunately, any disputes take place of such a nature that the Consul cannot arrange them amicably, then he shall request

GENERAL REGULATIONS.

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the assistance of a Chinese officer, that they may together examine into the merits of the case, and decide it equitably. Regarding the punishment of English criminals, the English Government will enact the laws necessary to attain that end, and the Consul will be empowered to put them in force; and, regarding the punishment of Chinese criminals, these will be tried and punished by their own laws, in the way provided for by the correspondence which took place at Nankin after the concluding of the peace.

XIV. BRITISH GOVERNMENT CRUIZERS ANCHORING WITHIN THE PORTS.-An English Government cruizer will anchor within each of the five ports, that the Consul may have the means of better restraining sailors and others, and preventing disturbances. But these government cruizers are not to be put on the same footing as merchant vessels, for as they bring no merchandize and do not come to trade, they will of course pay neither dues nor charges. The resident Consul will keep the Superintendent of Customs duly informed of the arrival and departure of such government cruizers, that he may take his measures accordingly.

XV. ON THE SECURITY TO BE GIVEN FOR BRITISH MERCHANT VESSELS.-It has hitherto been the custom, when an English vessel entered the port of Canton, that a Chinese Hong merchant stood security for her, and all duties and charges were paid through such security-merchant. But these security-merchants being now done away with, it is understood that the British Consul will henceforth be security for all British merchant ships entering any of the aforesaid five ports.

CHAPTER XII.

GOVERNMENT-Emperor - Ministry-Various tribunals-EspionageGovernment of Cities-The Penal Code of China-PunishmentsFor various crimes, and the use of opium-Laws for presenting Petitions-Maxims of the Emperor Kang-he-Code of Laws-Pekin Gazette-Prohibitions connected with those holding the rank of Mandarins-Slavery-Laws for slaves-Laws for servants - Price of

slaves.

IT is essential, in forming a just estimate of the character and habits of a nation, to be conversant with their government and laws; and no country affords a more striking example of the truth of this proposition than China. The monarchy is the most absolute that ever existed, the Emperor having unbounded power and authority over the lives and property of his subjects; his words are oracles, and his commands are obeyed and executed with alacrity and humility; being regarded as the Vicegerent of the Ruler of the world, and the father of his people: upon the reciprocal duties then of parent and children, the laws and political government of China are established; and the principle is found interwoven through all their institutions. Accordingly we find the Emperor designated as, "Son of Heaven,"

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August Sovereign," "Holy Emperor," "Father

POSITION OCCUPIED BY THE EMPEROR. 359

of the Empire," whilst he is treated with the most abject and servile respect and submission; none daring to approach him except on bended knees, or pass his habitation except on foot. The whole empire is considered to suffer in his person, and his loss is the only misfortune his subjects should dread; should indisposition overtake him, the alarm is instantly sounded, princes and mandarins of all classes hurry to the palace courts, where on bended knees, and regardless of the inclemency of the weather, they pass day and night, in token of their grief and respect, while they supplicate Heaven for his restoration. So great is the respect and reverence with which the Emperor is regarded, that the people accord the same marks of respect, in his absence, to his ministers of state, viceroys, and mandarins of all grades, in the execution of their respective offices, regarding each officer as the representative of their sovereign, and 'rendering honor to whom honor is due.'

The language and actions both of the Emperor and people accord well with the principles of their government; if a province be visited with pestilence or famine, the Emperor forbids amusements ; fasting, he confines himself to his palace, and publishes proclamations wherein, "The deep lamentations wherewith he bemoans, both night and day, the misfortunes of his children, which wound his heart to the quick, and continually occupy his thoughts, searching for the means of restoring them to happiness," are set forth in glowing terms; the whole document bearing the impress of one addressed to the members of a large and mighty family, by a kind and indulgent parent

On the other hand their moral maxims, and the books of their ancient sages, abound in passages such as these, "The Son of Heaven, even our Mighty Emperor, hath he not been placed upon the throne by Ty-en." "The Holy Emperor sits upon his throne, the parent of his people; he should not, therefore, be feared, so much as he should be loved, for his virtue and his kindness."

Notwithstanding the great power wherewith the Emperor is invested, the law permits his ministers of state humbly to remonstrate with him, and to submit what they may conceive to be errors in the administration of the government; and should the Emperor inflict punishment upon his officer for making such representations, history affords many examples of martyrs, who have suffered death in their attempts to oppose the deviations of their prince from the paths of wisdom, and in consequence, have received the highest encomiums from the nation, and rendered their names immortal. The position of Emperor can be no sinecure in China, when we reflect, that all public documents must pass through his hands, and receive his approbation or veto. The tranquillity of the Empire depends entirely upon the indefatigable assiduity of the Prince, to preserve order and superintend the administration of justice; should he and his council relax in their zeal, the viceroys and mandarins in distant parts of the empire would become tyrants, from whose provinces and districts justice would be banished, and revolt would ensue; of such results there have been ample proofs in Chinese history, which serve as examples to warn Emperors, to tread in the steps of their great and mighty predecessors,

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