The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-07 00:00:00

CHI NA.

We have received, via Vtingspore, a curicris document
of the Celestial Empire, which is by no means uninterest-
ing. It is as follows:-
IFront the New Hoppo, received 20th Oct. 18251
Fa Hoppo of Cancan, ita issues this mandate to the Hong
Merchants.

The present dynasty instituted the office of Hoppo. who has the
general superintendence of maritime trade, on account of its corn.
passionating feelings tewards distant foreigners; surely not in con.
sequence of any necessity it has for the tbreigners' clocks and
watches, broad cloth, long ells, &c. or for the sake of the annual
duties, amounting to several hundred thousand tales,
The Central nation possesses silk and cotton manufactures of ea-
r Mus kinds, enough to clothe and cover all its people, and abund-
ance of dials anti hour-glasses. as well as clocks and watches from
Soarhon and Yang Chou, 'maiden' to ascertain the lapse of time.
tYith regard td the rare and precious articles which are brought
from the frue seas, and by the nations of the north and south,
these are piled up in the Imperial palace in Mountainous heaps.
When any of the provinces are aided with famine, millions of
tales are issued from the rational treasury for their relief. What
necessity, then, can there be for trifling commodities of foreign
nations? In consemltence of the various people of the Western
(term having long been dependent upon the tea, rhubarb, and other
goods of China for their existence, therefore the office of Iloppo
WWI established, to superintend the trade on just and impartial prin.
doles. But as it was to be apprehended that the foreigners coming
from afar. over a tempestuous ocean, ignorant of the language, and
unable to procure food for themselves, would be deceived and
cheated by wicked natives, the Hong merchants were instituted to
buy their goods, and the linguists to be their interpreters, while
pilots and compradores were provided them, as weU as food and
Water, to support their existence. As it was likewise to be feared
that the foreigners, unacquainted with the laws of the celestial dynas-
ty, might be led into a violation of them by wicked natives, a high
and trusty officer was appointed for their especial superintendence,
while the Viceroy delegated to the proper civil and military officers
their government and control. The mercy was most great, but
the laws are roost severe. The foreign merchants have either chiefs
to superintend their affairs. or there is an inferior jurisdiction exer-
cised by each captain or master over those under his immediate cont-
mend. If they can strictly conform themselves to ancient usage,
mutual good understanding may be preserved for ever.
Rut as it appears that of late years remissness has proceeded
from long neglect, with the exception of the English Chief, who.
indeed, unsleratands the general principles or morals, fitness, and
the foreigners of that nation (those in the Company's employ), who
preserve a due regard for themselves, the others, namely, the Ame-
rican and Kiang Kin (country or Indian) foreigners, regardless of
the great benevolence and goodness of his Imperial Majesty, listen
to and allow themselves to be led astray by worthless Chinese.
The law has always been, that if any foreigner felt him•elf ag-
grieved he should acquaint his Chief, or the Captain of his own
particular ship, who might transmit the complaint to the Hong
merchants for presentation before the lloppo, who would act with
justice therein himself, or consult with his Excellency the Viceroy
on the best mode of settling the affair.
It has been understood of late, that foreigners of various coun-
tries, allowing themselves to be led astray by worthless persons,
and to be detected in the commission of improper acts, have, as
soon as they were found out and restrained, pretended to have suf.
fered some great hardship, and, taking upon themselves to present
a foreign petition, proceeded to the city gates to deliver the same.
This was a daring act of irregularity, and deserving of great repre-
hension. It is proper for me, the Hoppo, who have received the
Imperial Commission for their control, to meet and consult with
Ilia Excellency the Viceroy on the best measures to be adopted.
What has already passed need not be revived, but this mandate is
expressly issued to Hougua and the other Hong merchants, that
they may transmit it to the foreign merchants of every na-
tion, They must strictly conform to old-established usage,
and sweep clear away their recent bad habits. Then they will not
repay with ingratitude the great benevolence of his Imperial Ma-
jesty. Let the Hong Merchants also sincerely, and with all their
'night, enjoin it to their linguists, &c. to " change their faces and
to wash their hearts ;" to pay a strict obedience to the regulations,
without seeking petty gain, thereby entangling themselves in the
ret of the law. .liter the issuing of this mandate, should any
person obstinately persist in ill-doing, or dare to treat this ailment.
don lightly, I, the Hoppo, in conjunction with his Excellency the
Viceroy, will investigate to what nation, and to what ship, the
offending person belongs. If the offence be light, I shall order the
Hong to have no intercourse with that particular ship ; if the
offence be heavy, I shall address his Majesty on the subject of not
permitting that nation's ships to enter the port. As to the worth-
less Chinese who instigate to evil, I shall, according to the law
which relates to unlawful intercourse with foreigners, first state
the circumstances to his Maiesty, and then early the Jew into
effect. The consequence will not be light to the persons and
families, pa well as to the lives of the Hong Merchants. It is to
be apprehended, that the mere privation of the Lotion will not be
sufficient to cover their offence.

Let all implicitly obey ; disregard not this special mandate.
6th Year, gib 31,t0n. TAONU Kl~'AN(i.

DEATH av A SPRING GUN.—We are sorry to state that
J. Guthrie, of Coldstream, a young man about 21 years of
age, died the on Tuesday last of a locked jaw, occasioned
by the contents of one of those legal machines, called
spring guns, striking one of Ifs knees a fortnight before.
while walking in an inclosure belonging to the Earl of
Home. The young man's sufferings, which nothing but
death could alleviate, were of the most agonizing nature.
It is strange that landed proprietors, merely for the pur-
pose of preserving bestial life, should persist in the use of
measures by which human life is not only often entlangec-
ed, but soinetimts destroyed. Such things ought nut to
Ob3orrer.

Pi:Roof's Ilt:/iTION—Three boys resolved on a late
A.mely to amuse themselves in exploring the nutlet coal pit.
They dote:oiled the stair-shank about twelve o'clock in the day,
with s lighted lamp, which accident extim:uishcd after they had
advanced a consideralde way into the pit. Alarmed, and in dark.
ties., they attimpiett in retrace their steps; but after much lacera-
tion of hinds and knees. in place of returning, their confusion led
them further oa. Overcome with fatigue, they sat down in ore of
the caverns nt midnight. and gave themselves up for lust. In the
tneaurime, the colliers had brim apprised of the airvir, and COlll
mem ing n teareh, rescued them from the perils of their black
aim d, by lam in the scimairg. The Inquisitive youths Ind advanced
tune. thei a rode in their mineralogical feticarehes.—Palrlry Ad-

On Ftiday evening, 011ie a young man, whn hail been
at the other side of the water on huainess, war returning !tome, and
while he was about the middle of Jamsira•strty. '03% at'acked
by tour or five ruffians, one of whom gave him a Mow behind the
cur. which was followed by another, and knocked hint down.
While lie was in this situation. and in a stste of lnsensihill.•y, they
proceedoil to gsg his mouth with a napkin (a precaution, by the
by.. quite um' .crottry, trs he was incapable of ninklng any laud
noise rain being hnarse),'and robbed Mtn of Isis watch and some
,sirer.—Clarcose Cloymiele.

rr t.cr •su tc tne.—On Wednesday morning, about
five u'etork, Joseph 31oule Esq.. Deputy Inspector of the Gene-
ral Port-otiice. put nu awful end to his martsl yltiMellec, by coin-
itiir ti•lg ttri.te. Mr.'Moule. as was usual with hint. rose early,
bid wire a most aff:cdonate good morning, ant kft hits bed.
room (.-at Mrs. M. supposed) with the view of proceeding to his
momisg duties in the office: instead, however, of proceeding to
hi. department he went into the kitchen, and dreadlul to relap,
cut his tlirtrit s shocking manner. la punctual *as he in at.
tendases to his duties, t;t:d his absence created surprise, and soap
caused an inquiry to be e; but it was too late, for the unhappy
deed was done. lie wad so general a favourite In the office, and in
society, that it is diflicer to express the sorrow felt on the ossiedon.
The deceased was a molt sober, temperate character, iven is his
te.aper, and mild in birmidnits.