The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-12-17 00:00:00

CHINA.

We have advices from Macao to the 19th of July, ten
days later, than the Lccounts previously received. They
were brought by the Crown, arrived at Liverpool, in 97
days from Calcutta. The Crown sailed from St. Helena on
the 28th of October. The Morrison, for London, had
arrived at that island from China, and the news brought by
her has thus reached England. The trade continued sus-
pended, without the slightest prospect of its early resump-
tion. It will be seen by the subjoined extract of a letter,
dated Macao, July 19,, that there had been an affray be-
tween a Chinese war junk and an opium smuggling-beat :
" Extract of a letter dated Macao, the 19th of July,
1839 :—A clipper brig, with opium in, was lying outside at
anchor beaalmed, when a junk and several heavily armed
boats bore down upyn her. She weighed and made sail to
catch what airs were stirring. The junk and boats fired, and
the brig then commenced a heavy cannonade with grape and
canister. One of her guns broke and killed two of her
crew ; she sustained no other damage, but it is supposed
that much blood was shed on the part of the Chinese. A
letter of the 20th states, that 50 of the Chinese are said
to have been killed."

" Captain Charles Elliot, Chief Superintendent of the Trade

of British subjects in China.

" Stn,---With reference to the interview of the committee
appointed at the public meeting held at Messrs. Dent and
Co.'s office, on the 12th and 17th of June, with you, on the
Bth inst., I am now directed to hand you the enclosed copy of
the notes of a meeting of that committee, with a proposed
scale of demurrage fur ships now lying in the outer anchorages.
" I am particularly to call your attention that the commit-
tee do not profess, in the absence of legal decisions on any
entirely analogous cases, to determine on what parties any
claim for demurrage may eventually fall, the point being one.
which it may be necessary to determine in the English courts
of law, unless the British Government should, by admitting
in the first instance the validity of the claim on them, render
any such reference unnecessary.
" In regard to such ships as may be partially loaded, and
be desirous of transshipping their good►s to other vessels, it
appears to the committee that such transshipment could only
be made on the Government, or you, as their representative,
taking the responsibility of insurance, inasmuch as the
owners and consignees of goods hold the underwriters liable
under the original policies of insurance, and cannot be ex-
pected to perform any act which would release them from
that liability, without some other equally effectual security.
"The committee are clearly of opinion, that as the ulti-
mate incidence of the payment for demurrage must be left
for adjustment by the British Government or courts of law,
the consigneea of goods here cannot be expected to make any
payment on that account, and, as goods cannot be detained
except for freight, the captain or consignees of the ship should
sue for their demurrage in England, under protests to be
made and recorded here.

" In cases of transshipment, the consignees of goods, the
committee apprehend, will hold the ships liable for eventual
due delivery of the cargo under the original bills of lading ;
and transshipment would, therefore, be most properly made
the subject of arrangement between the captain or consignees
of the ship bringing the goods and those of the vessel to which
they may be transferred.

"And with this view the committee consider that, should,
under epccial circumstances, such transshipment. become ne-
cessary, the hiring of the requisite storeships would rest with
Her Majesty's superintendent, who could best decide on the
necessity of that measure, with reference to the particular
merits of each individual case.

" Should you have any suggestions or observations to make
with reference to the enclosed paper, or the remarks con-
nected with it, I shall be happy to receive and communicate
them to the committee.

" I have the honour to be, Sir,
" Your most obedient humble servant,
" GEORGE T. BRAINE, Chairman.

"MACAO, July 10, 1839.
" Notes of an adjourned meeting of the committee ap-
pointed at the public meeting held at Dent and Co.'s office,
on the 17th of June. Present Dent, A. C. Maclean,
D. Rustomjee, C. Kerr, A. Jardine, G. Smith, and G. T.
Braine, Chairman.

" 1. In accordance with a suggestion made by Captain
Elliot, in a personal interview, the committee consider it de-
sirable to frame a scale of demurrage for goods on board ships
now lying at the outer anchorages.
" 2. At the same time the committee deem it proper to re-
card their opinion, that in the absence of any decided cases
of strictly analogous character to the present position of mat-
ters in China, they are not competent to form any conclu-
sion as to whether the ships have a valid claim for demurrage ;
and if demurrage be actually due, on whom such claim may
equitably fall ; the object in forming the proposed scale being
merely to establish uniformity of practice in respect to one
rate of charge.
" 1. The committee consider it desirable to divide the ves-
sels for Vhampoa into three classes :
" Ist class, above 600 tons register.
" 2d class, from 350 to 609 tons register.
" 3d class, under 350 tons register..
" 2. The committee are of opinion that demurrage, if due,
might fairly, under the circumstances, commence one mouth
after arrival in Macao roads, or Hongkong, but in no case to
begin until one month after the date of Captain Elliott's
public notice of the 23d of March, 1839.
" The committee thought it desiraLle to propose the fol-
lowing scale, as a reasonable claim for demurrage on the part
of the owners of the ships :

1. SHIPS FROM INDIA.
Per menscm.
" On cotton, Ist class ships, 50 cents. per bale of 3001 b.
2d ditto 60 ditto.
3d ditto 75 ditto.
" Sandalwood and fishumws, 20 per picul on all ships.
" Saltpetre, rice, lietelnut, pepper, tin, and any other pro-
duce not enumerated, 10 per pied on all ships.
" 2. SHIPS FROM ENGLAND.

" Measurement goods, 2t doll. per ton of 50 cubic feet.
metals and other dead weigat at 1 dol. per ton of 23 cwt.
" GEORGE T. BRAINE, Cl:airman."

" MACAO, JULY 15, 1839.
" Sir—l have the honour to acknowledge your letter of
the 10th inst., and I beg you to convey to the committee
my thanks for the assistance they have afforded me on this
occasion.

" My own opinion is concurrent with theirs—that the de-
termination of the parties upon whom any charge for demur-
rage should eventually fall must be left to the dcis-on of the
courts in England.

" Respecting ships partially unloaded, and which it may be
desired to discharge, I am ready, for convenience sake, to
undertake the public responsibility of insurAvie cn ary
goods or produce (not contraband in the count. y) transship-
ped for safe deposit into British bottoms. Upon an Under-
standing, however, that the charge shoald devolve upon the
shippers, if it should hereafter be le.;:ally determined that
the master, under all the circumstances of the case, would
have been justified in making such deposit at the risk of the
merchant.

" I agree with the committee, that as the ultimate incidence
of the payment for demurrage must he detern.i.led io Eng-
land, it is not reasonable that any payment should i e made
here on that account. it is likewise my imrres;•ion that the
terms of transshipment should most properly be left for. ar-
rangement between the masters and eonsignees of the carry-
ing ships, and those of the vessel to which they may be trans-
ferred.

" The opinion of the committee, concerning trar.t.s'.ipment
at all, expressed in the last paragraph of your letter, is coin-
cident with my own.
" I hare the honour to remain your most übediont humble
servant,

"CHARLES ELLIOT, Chief Supoilltendent
" To G. T. Braine, Esq., Macao."

THEATRE ROYAL—Miss Grant, who took her benefit on
Friday night, had a full house, and she acquitted herself, as
she invariably does, to the satisfaction of the auditor . Next
season we hope to find this popular vocalist come amongst
us with an increased reputation. Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bland
(late Miss Faucitt) had their, benefit lart nitja, hot what
success they met with we have not ascertained, as other avo-
cations prevented our attendance. Mr. Barker, the princi-
pal singer in the company, has engaged Mrs. Wood to assist
him, and we have little doubt that the celebrity of that lady,
and his own acknowledged talent will secure him a bumper.
To-morrow night (Wednesday), Mr. Lynne, a new but re-
spectable actor in his line, takes his benefit; -the pieces he
has selected are, The Lady of Lyons : and The Field of
Forty Footsteps. Next Monday, which is the closing night
of the season, Mrs. Clarke appeals to the public of Liverpool.
This lady's reputation is so well established, that it is quite
supererogatory even to allude to it. Suffice it therefore to
mention that the strength of the company will appear, and
that Mr. Ducrow and the American, Mr. Rice, give their
valuable aid. For the pieces to be performed we beg to refer
the reader to the advertisement.
ST. ANNE'S WARD.—We understand that the coMmittee
appointed to investigate the charge brought against Mr.
Jones have terminated their inquiry, and come to a decision
favourable to Mr. Jones—thus confirming the opinion pro-
nounced upon the case in the Town-clerk's report.
THE LATE MR. CHARLES TYRRELL—The funeral of
this lamented individual, who was not less respected for his
activity and zeal in his capacity as Inspector of Police, that
he was esteemed in all the relations of private life, took place
yesterday, and was attended by all the disposable constabu-
lary of the town, to the number of about four hundred, pre-
ceded by a great number of mourning coaches, containing
his private friends. The procession l: ft the South Dock
Station at two o'clock, and proceeded to the Necropolis, at
Low-hill, where the remains of the deceased were consigned
to their final resting place. The deepest respect for his
memory was manifested by the whole force, to whom, from
his kind, gentlemanly, and considerate bearing, he had be-
come much and deservedly endeared. lie has left a widow
to lament his premature death.
Palsoat DISCIPLINE.--We have jest received a copy of a
" Letter on Prison Discipline," which has been addressed to
the Mayor and Magistrates of Liverpool, by the Rev. Dr.
Buck, Chaplain of the Borough Gaol. We have not yet had
time for perusing it, and are, therefore, under the necessity
of deferring until our next publication any extended notice of
its contents. It appears to be very candidly and ably written,
and contains many very valuable suggestions on the impor-
tant subject to which it refers _

PE.IIZi. BEEF.—We understand the very fat ox, weighing
upwards of 20001bs. which was fed by the Earl of Darby,*and
won the first prize at the Liverpool showin October last, has
been purchased by our townsmen, Messrs. Derbyshire and
Clough, butchers, in St. John's Market, and it is their in-
tention to slaughter it at the new slaughterhouse, St. Andrew-
street, on Wednesday neat.
LAUNCH OF A NEW PACKET-SHIP.---The ship Stephen
Whitney, of 1000 tons burthen, built by Messrs. Bergh and
Co. for it. Kermit's line of Liverpool packets, (in place of
the St. Andrew, wrecked in the storm of the ith of January,)
and to be commanded by Captain Will.am C. Thompson,
was launched on Sa.urday morning, the 23d ult., from the
toot of Sammel-street, New York. She would sail for
Liverpool on the 13th inst.
TilE LIVERPOOL FIRE POLICE.--PVC understand that,
at the last meeting of _the directors of the Liverpool Fire and
Life Insurance Company, they passed a vote of thanks to the
fire police for their efficiency in extinguishing the tires in
Messrs. Birt's shop in Lord-street, and Messrs. Mulleneux's
distillery, Dale-street, and that the suns of .£2O was placed at
the disposal of the Watch Corn mittce fur distribution amongst
that body.
List of cabin passengers by the packet-ship Roscius, Capt.
Collins, from New York :—Mr. Thomas Woodhead and lady,
London ; Dr. Madden, lady, and child, Cuba ; Mr. G. W.
Lee, London ; Mr. George Catten, New York ; Mr. C.
Sherman, Connecticut ; Mr. Joseph Frost, Liverpool ; Mr.
John E. Doyle, Virginia ; Mr. W, Bradbury, lady, and two
children, Montreal; Miss Ludlam, do. Mr. J. H. Short.
lady, and two children, New York ; Mr. P. Main., of
Kentucky.
It is stated that Lord Dinorben is to settle 05,000 a year
on Miss Smith, the sister of the Princess of (*Mar whom he
is about to marry. Miss Smith is a Roman Ciabolic, anal
is I'Vc4rtvd.(ci .6113 s fOttune of between C.!0,0110 aThl
43-OMO,---Zeeter