The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-25 00:00:00

CHINA.

We have intelligence from Mpg Kong to the 29th
of March inclusive. We take the following summary
from the Friend of China :
"During the month the weather has been unsettled,
the thermometer ranging at times as high as 82 degrees,
with a good deal of rain, and, as is usual at this season,
thunder storms. At Canton the heat has been oppres-
sive, and the residents are engaging houses tor the
summer at Macao.

"It is said that Sir John Davis proceeds north in her
dajesty's steamer Vulture, ane that he will visit Pekin,
having full power to treat for the pievention of riot, at
Canton. Aitt-r leaving Pekin he will visit Japan, and
endeavour to open a trade with that country.
" The American treaty has afforded the local papers a
subject for discussion. Though concluder as far back as
the 3d of July, 1844, the United States has not granted
to her Consuls the judicial powers s.ipulated for; and in
consequence, as China has surrendered her right to ad-
judicate in civil and criminal cases where the citiz.,ns are
concerned; they are in the unenviable position of being,
subject to no. law whatever. It is thought that the pre-
sent session of Congress will pass au Act granting to
Consuls the' necessary powers to carry out the treaty-
with China in good faith.
" The local Government has given another proof of
the arbitrary and unjust manner in which it deals with.
the native inhabitants. An ordinance, recently passed,
contains a clause for the registration of votes, a mea-
sure which is in itself commendable, if it had been car-
ried into effect with a due regard to equity. By api e-
eious Act the greater portion of the boats wet e regis
tered, paying for their registration and license an annual
fee of two dollars. Meet of these licences were wax.
pired when the new law, imposing tees of from five ter
ten dollars upon each boat, came into operation. I.
may be supposed that the proprietors of registered boats
would have been permitted to use the licenses they had
purchased until their expiration, when they would b.
renewed at the higher rate. This simple and equitahle
view of the matter did not suit the policy of Sir' .1.
Davis and his Fidus Achates, and the old licenses, pur-
chased on the faith that a Government would nut tx,
dishonourably, were recalled, the holders being com-
rlled to take out others at a high rate ; and, as if it,
derision of justice, they were credited ler the unexpired
period of the licenses first purchased in proportion to
what they had cost.
" The foundation-stone of the Colonial Chapel wa,
laid by his Excellency the Governor on the 11th in
stant.
" There has been another daring piracy at the eastern
entrance to the harbour. As usual, the perpetrators of
the 'atrocity have escaped. The Chimmo bay trailed,,
mentioned last month. has engaged the attention of the
authorities. There is no doubt that it was planted
here, and Chinese connected with Government are sus-
pected of -being implicated. Two of the pirates hate
been captured in Canton; but, as they have confessed to
similar crimes, wnere the sufferers were subjects of
China, the Mandarins refuse to give them up. A
tormal demand has been male for them, the result of
which is not known, though it is very probable that they
have been decapitated ere this..
That Gentleman, in an
"Captain Talbot, of her Majesty's ship Vestal, sailed
for England on the 4th instant.
eminent degree, gained
during the period
the confidence and goodwill' of
On every occasion
the inhabitants..
tdataindgestitr(t:
the'
to protect the in
he was senior
.officerteresotsn
ot
fh et
hstation l
ieyx htai terii
ic,
c:nrniveery
his command an
thd
ev y
by
iei keeping one of the vessel
nit of the factories
Canton.
k had been made on a party of gentlemen
acea
"Au attack
who landed at a town near Canton. 'They owed their
preservation to the instrumentality of a Chinese military
officer, whose courage deserves commendation.
The following document is published in a supple-
ment to the Friend of china :
" British Consulate, Canton, March 25, 1847.
tt sir,--I beg to acquaint you, for the information of
the British mercantile couannitnity, with the contents of
a circular di: patch addressed to me by her Majesty's
plenipotentiary and Superintendent of Trade, dated the
18th inst., from which it appears that his Excellency
has received a communication from Mr. Everett, Minis.
ter Plenipotentiary for the United States of America,
informing him that no provision has yet been made by
his Government to compel citizens of the United States
residing in China to pay any debt which they may incur
to British subjects in this country, which fact I am in-
structed to bring to the notice of the latter for their
guidance in their transactions with the former, until such
time as the Government of the United States shall have
made provisions allowing of the atiministretion of equal
justice to both parties.
" I have the honour to he, Sir,
" Your most obedient humble :crier.!.
FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR.
"To Edmund Moiler. E,q.
" Secretary to the British Chamber of Com-
merce, Canton."