The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-01-31 00:00:00

"PEACE WITH CHINA.'

SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENT OF OUR TRADE AND INTER-
COURSE WITH THAT COUNTRY, WITH INDIA, AND WITH
OUR SOUTH SEA COLONIES, BY STEAM-SHIP COMMUNI-
CATION VIA THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

In our publication of the 20th instant we noticed, in the
favourable terms that then suggested themselves, an able
article in the colonial Magazine on this highly interesting
subject, from the pen of Mr. ROBERT WisE, formerly of
this town, and now of Allonby, a gentleman in whom is
united the experience of the merchant with that of the sailor,
and whose knowledge of the East, as well as of our South
Sea dependencies—rapidly rising in national importance—
entitles his opinions to the deepest consideration, not only of
that portion of our community who carry their enterprise, for
the general weal, to the remotest quarters of the globe, but
of her Majesty's government, who by well-directed mea-
sures, and, if need be, pecuniary aid, may enable private
companies or individuals to extend the field of our profitable
traffic—the best and surest mode of submerging those politi-
cal discontents, and mutual recriminations of party, that
affect our yet especially favoured and indomitable country.
A second perusal of the article has induced us to recur to the
facts adduced by our author, and more particularly to his
new, bold, and (we think) practical proposition for the ex-
tension of our intercourse with the Chinese empire and our
South Sea colonies, and the cementing of the friendly rela-
tions already arrived at with the former—by the establish-
ment of a regular line of steam-ships between them and
England, via the Cape of Good Hope.
We may recapitulate that he introduces his subject by
some congratulatory remarks on the achievement of an ho-
nourable peace with China, and pays a high and merited
compliment to the British forces employed in that perilous,
and, for some time, doubtful service, for the skill, courage,
and p?rseverance which they displayed throughout. He
also compliments the home authorities for their judicious
arrangements for (if we may so term it) the opening of the
campaign last year ; and after stating that the Yang tse,
the largest river in Asia, has been successfully explored and
traversed by a victorious British fleet, from the sea to where
it is crossed by the Grand Canal, above Nankin—a distance
of 250 miles from its mouth—thus giving us the key of the
canal navigation, and also noting our new possessions in that
country, he thus concludes this part of his subject :

" Our success in China will exercise a most beneficial in-
fluence in our favour in the Cochin China, Siam, Birmah,
and the Malayan States, for they have all hitherto been
strongly impressed with the idea that, however we might be
able to deal as suited our purpose with themselves, or Ilin-
dostan, China was more than a match for us."

Under the head of our " Prospects of an improved trade
with China," our author urges " every possible honest effort
within our reach, to extend the trade profitably and honour-
ably, and to endeavour to cement friendship with China,"
and through proper fiscal and other regulations for the pro-
motion of trade, the protection of life and property, and the
redress of grievances at the ports newly opened, and the
establishment of a mutually beneficial understanding on all
essential points between us and the Chinese, before our
forces move one foot homeward, he anticipates the greatest
advantages:

" Then," (he exclaims) " from the great resources and
wealth of China; from the persevering industry of her 360
million inhabitants, and from the fixed and resolute national
trading propensities, and the ceaseless commercial enterprise
of the plodding Chinese part of the population, (above ninety-
nine parts of one hundred of the whole,) it is not too much
to anticipate confidently, that the result of the China war will
be to the effect of affording more relief to the industry and
enterprise of our overflowing population, and of infusing
more new life, in motive for active commercial (and no doubt
profitable) operations, than any other one measure whatever,
and prove in the result highly beneficial to both countries."
Mr. Wise considers that the four additional ports opened
to us by war for trade in China, are admirably selected in
point of position, for the extension of our commerce with the
most populous and wealthy parts of that Empire. Shanghai
is especially so, from its being the sea-port of the capital—
Nankin, and also the Tang-tse river, which passes through
the richest and most populous part of China. His only ap-
prehension is, that the Mandarins and Hong merchants may
thwart the terms of the treaty of peace. On the other hand,
should the Tartar government show good faith, and remove
all restrictions on trade, he anticipates an immense extension
of our China trade in goods and merchandise, particularly
suited to the wants of the Chinese. He appears to have at-
tained a knowledge of their requirements, and points out the
various articles of manufacture, &c., in most extensive de-
mand, and for which we can at all times obtain teas and silks.
He winds up this section of his observations with the follow-
ing passage :

" Some of the South American States, which possess little
or nothing else but gold and silver for foreign trade, have for
a great number of years taken largely of our merchandise
annually, and paid us mainly in the precious metals; China
has gold, silver, copper, and other ore mines in abundance,
her population is certainly both the largest and the most in-
dustrious on the face of the earth, she therefore possesses all
the requisites for obtaining the needful to pay us for our
merchandise to a very large amount annually; doubtless the
industrious millions of China, can do as much in proportion
to their numbers, in this respect, as the indolent thousands
in some of the South American States, have done for a series
of years past."

We now come to the grand proposition of our author,
namely, the establishment of a line of steam-ships between
England and China, and England and Australia, via Saldanha
Bay, Cape of Good Hope. On this important point we must
permit the author, who has drawn up his calculations with
the accuracy of a skilful navigator, to speak to some extent
for himself. He says—

" From the Lizard Point, in the English Channel, to Sal-
danha Bay, Cape of Good Hope, is 5650 miles by the shortest
route that can be taken, viz., direct from the English Chan-
nel to the west coast of Africa, rounding Cape Blanche and
Cape Verd, Africa, as near as is prudent ; thence close past
our own colony on the river Gambia; and thence again di-
rect onward to Saldanha Bay, Cape of Good Hope, which
voyage can be made in twenty-six days, at the average rate
of speed at which the Atlantic Ocean steamers perform at
present—say'about nine miles per hour—and if steamers can
be made to navigate faster, the length and expense of the
voyage will, of course, be shortened in proportion.
" From Saldanha Bay, Cape of Good Hope, to the British
settlement of Hong-kong, China, is 7010 miles, by the near-
est route that can be taken, viz., direct from the Cape of
Good Hope to Acheen Head, Sumatra; thence through the
straits of Malacca to the British colony of Singapore ; and
thence again up the China Sea to Hongkong, which voyage
may be performed in thirty-two, say thirty-two days, at the
average rate of speed at which the Atlantic Ocean steamers
make their voyages between England and America at present.
" Hence the steam-voyage between England and China,
via Saldanha Bay, Cape of Good Hope, can be performed in
sixty (lays, allowing two days to take in coal, at the average
rate of speed performing at present, all the year round, in
the stormy Atlantic Ocean : it is therefore only reasonable
to expect that a very considerable higher rate of speed will
be obtained on the comparatively I-city-FINE-weather voy-
age from England to China, via the Cape of Good Hope."

He recommends, as the first place of call for coals o❑ the
outward voyage, the new position near the mouth of the river
Gambia, in Africa, recommended by the Parliamentary• com-
mittee last session to be colonized by the West India Afri-
cans, and considers that a few hours stay at such a point
would not subject to nearly so much risk of health as an
overland trip through Egypt. The Island of Ascension,
which is healthy, and nearly midway between the west coast
of Africa and Brazil, would, he thinks, form a convenient sta-
tion for our African squadron employed in the suppression of
the slave trade, and in the protection of our mercantile ma-
rine trading round the Cape of Good Hope, and round Cape
Horn ; but, as touching these would lengthen the voyage to
the former by about a day's run, he prefers making the run
direct from Gambia to Saldanha Bay, of which, as well as of
the other suggested stations, he gives the following interesting
particulars :

"Saldanha Bay, Cape of Good Hope, is a spacious, safe,
deep-water, land-locked harbour, has few equals in any part
of the world, and no equal in Africa, south of the line; in it
any number of ships, of the largest size, may lie anchored,
secure from all winds, at all and every season of the year ;
and, for a coal depot, it cannot be surpassed, if equalled :
fresh seater (its supposed want formerly, and which has been
the cause of its neglect) has been lately found to be (all the
year round) both plentiful and pure on Schapen Island, (in
the bay,) and also at the residency ; supplies of poultry,
cattle, sheep, vegetables, fruit, wine, &c., are plentiful and
cheap; the soil in the neighbourhood is fertile, and the cli-
mate is both most delightful and most healthy ; no delay need
be occasioned here beyond a few hours to take in coals, &c. ;
this safe and beautiful harbour, in fact, lies in a different cli-
mate altogether from Table Bay itself, although only about a
degree distant from it, northward, as every observant naviga-
tor will have noticed, on his passage home from India, by the
sudden change from unsettled to fine weather, after rounding
the Cape of Good Hope. Saldanha Bay is capable of being
made as valuable and vulnerable a naval station and rendez-
vous as Trincomale has been made, and it is as much superior
to either Table Bay, or Ealse Bay, Cape of Good Hope, as
Trineomale harbour is to Madras roads. When our immense
trade east of the Cape of Good Hope is considered, and when
the protection required for the great number of our merchant
ships that 1, ass round the Cape yearly is also taken into the
account, it is to be hoped that the attention of our Govern-
ment may, at an early period, be seriously drawn to this va-
luable position, situated in a most fertile part of the Cape of
Good Hope colony, than which none is capable of producing
greater wealth, nor of returning greater benefits to the mo—
ther-country, for any outlay or attention which she may bestow
upon it.

Port Louis, Isle of France, and Singapore, Malacca Straits,
these two good and safe British harbours are both well known
to possess all the requisites as depots for coal, and also for
affording every facility in giving quick despatch to the passing
steamers. Both these healthy and delightful British har-
bours lie in the direct route from the Cape of Good Hope to
China, rendering it unnecessary to deviate from a direct
course either out or home. Good water, poultry, vegetables,
and every other article of refreshment, may be obtained at
both harbours.

" Point de Galle harbour, Ceylon, though affording suffi-
cient room and depth of water for a moderate number of
vessels in safety at once, is not the most desirable anchorage
at all times for sailing ships, on account of sundry detached
small rocks scattered over its surface, and on account of a
swell which tumbles into the harbour with a high south-west
wind, but it nevertheless possesses all the necessary capabili-
ties for being made into a safe and excellent coal-station for
steamers, which class of vessels in these latitudes can always
choose their anchorage, and thread their way in and out.
Calling at Galle would lengthen the passage from England to
China 23J miles, or about one day's run by steamer."

Our author supplies tables of the courses and distances
between the proposed stations on the respective steam voy-
ages out from England to China, and from England to Aus-
tralia, vid the Cape of Good Hope, which will be perused
with much interest by nautical men. These he follows
by the following table and remarks:—

" Comparisons respecting Steam Routes to Ceylon (Point

de Gale Harbour.)

By steam from Falmouth, by Mediterranean,
overland journey through Egypt, and by

steam' down Red Sea and Indian Ocean to
Galle, Ceylon ..........................
By steam from English Channel to Ceylon,
by Cape Good hope, calling for coals at
Gambia and Ascension, Saldanha Bay, and
Isle France . ......

431 days' pass

Leaves in favour of passage yid Falmouth .. 3
" Comparisons respecting Steam Route to A
By steam from Pal:11°QIII to Swan River by
Mediterranean, overland journey througl►
Egypt, and by steam down Red Sea and
Indian Ocean to Point de Galle harbour,
Ceylon, and thence again by steam to Sway
River
By steam from English Channel to Swan
River by Cape Good hope, calling for
coals at Gambia and Ascension, and Isle
France - -

1-6

Leaves in favour of route by Cape Good
Elope .
By steam from England to Swan River via
France, Egypt, and Ceylon
By steam from England to Swan. River t
Cape and Isle France

Leaves the passage equal, or f day favour
Egypt route.
By steamers froni England to Swan River
by Falmouth, Mediterranean, Egypt. and
Ceylon ...........
By steamers from England to Swan River via
Cape Good Hope, Isle France, and Ceylon
(say by India) .......... _

52-1 days' pass

53 do

1-6 days'

62 do. do

-----
Leaves in favour of the Red Sea and Egypt
passage
................... 5-6 days.
" Note.—The average difference between the Falmouth
and via France passages, appear to be 6 days, arising, no
doubt, from the Falmouth steamers sailinr on the Ist or each
month, and the-French post-letters being not regularly sent
off on the 4th of each month, because if that had been the
case, the difference should only have been 3 or 4 days instead
of 6 days.

" From the foregoing Tables it will be seen that England
possesses within her own valuable and healthful colonies, a
full and complete unbroken chain of the requisite positions,
all admirably situated at convenient distances from each
other, for the purpose of coal depots and refreshing ports, in
the whole direct line of steam route between England and
China via Cape of Good Hope, as well as between England
and Australia via Cape of Good Hope, either via Ceylon or
otherwise. _

" That by means of a grand direct monthly steam line
route between England and China via Cape of Good Hope,
the most extensively valuable and lasting benefits may rea-
sonably be expected to accrue to both countries, (especially
to England,) by bringing the two empires into so mucl►
nearer and closer contact with each other; the immense
commercial advantages of such a measure have been made
fully apparent in every case where steamers have been so
established between two great and wealthy empires."

After pointing out some of the great advantages that would
accrue from the establishment of such a line, as regards
China, be adds :

" It will open up (without causing any extra outlay of
money or loss of time on the voyage,) a regular and speedy
communication with our rich trading possessions in the
straits of Malacca, Malay, India, (Penang, Malacca, and
Singapore,) with the productive colony of the Isle of France,
and with our valuable possessions in the Cape of Good Elope
colony, and by sacrificing one day on the passage, Point de
Galle, Ceylon, can be touched at, and thus a grand junction
line of steam communication can be opened (at nu further
expense) between all parts of India and China, as steamers
are already plying between Ceylon and Bombay, and between
Ceylon and Calcutta via Madras."
He expresses a hope, that should government see fit to
take the initiative in the project, and to bear a considerable
portion of the expense, for the first five years, the country
will, in such case, see its interest in cordially responding to
such an effort—" an effort to open np, by peaceful enterprise,
for the benefit of every British subject, a full and free inter-
course and trade with one-third of the human race in China
—a mighty effort worthy of being undertaken and persevered
in by Great Britain."

By the proposed line of communication, vie/ the Cape, we
should, as our author observes, avoid being under obligation to
any other nation for the transit of our despatches ; and pas-
sengers save all fatigue of overland journeys, and also avoid
the inconvenience of change of vessel, and consequent tran-
shipment of luggage or goods. He might have Added another
advantage, and that is, that they will not, on arriving in
Europe, be subjected to the annoyance of quarantine deten-
tion, which is no minor consideration,
Mr. Wise, in the course of his remarks, twice expresses
his opinion that the proposed undertaking (thc employment
of large-steam-ships to and from the countries and colonies
stated) cannot fail to yield a handsome return,
period, for the capital embarked in it. We would fain con-
cur with him on this point; but past experience of ocean
steam navigation, even under circumstances the most favour-
able for its prosecution by private companies—and with the
aid, too, of large government grants from the conveyance of
mails—lead us to entertain a less sanguine expectation of the
project, at least it' priori. The expense of running large steam-
ships on long voyages—the cost and great expenditure of
fuel, of manning, repairing, &c. is known to be immense—
more particularly as from the bulk of coals they must carry,
they have but little stowage room for goods on freight, to
help up the credit side of the account, if we except fine goods,
such as silks, indigo, and the like, or the precious metals.
We are not without hopes, however, that improvements in
the propelling power, or the mode of applying it, and a con-
sequent large saving of fuel, may in this age of science and
invention, be ere long developed, so as to render such a spe-
culation immediately profitable to the parties pursuing it.
And, even as it is, we consider Mr. Wise's suggestion (we
repeat) worthy of the utmost eoneickretion of the govern-
ment and of the mercantile community, in a general and na-
tional point of view. We must not look for our reversion,
in the first instance, from the freights or passage-money
made by the ships, but rather to the increased commercial
prosperity-and national safety, which the openingout of more
proximate intercourse through them with the vast and proli-
fic regions of India, China, and South Sea Colonies, would
assuredly realize. This is an object worthy of the wisdom
and blameless ambition of a great country, and for which
government itself should have the hearty concurrence of the
nation in making to achieve it, a considerable pecuniary
sacrifice—beyond the means of private speculators, who, we
doubt not, would liberally join in the eeterprise. They must
" throw the bread upon the waters, but they will find it after
many days."

it an early

THE BRITISH AND IRISH STEAM-PACKET COMPAN
The annual general meeting of the proprietors of this com-
pany was held on Wednesday, at the office, 9, Eden quay,
when the directors' report was read, and a.statement of ac-
counts submitted. A dividend of 6 per cent. per annum was
declared as usual, and a surplus added to the reserve fund.
The company's vessels continue to be insured. The direc-
tors going out of office by rotation, were unanimously re-
elected, and three auditors having been elected, the meeting
broke up.

THE COURT.—WINDSOR, SUNDAY EVENINGSir R.
Castleaaui i a
fewen at Bow_
minutes
•
Peel left town yesterday, immediately after thet;onclusion
tli a
the assassin
the
iti M`Ng
street, for Windsor, proceeding to sio,
by the Great
loivf'etsit'eernexlalmaiilnwaatylo,n of
arrivedand
before three o'clock. The right hon. baronet
diate audience of her Majesty, and remained at the Castle
fur upwards of an hour. The Queen was
day, for the first time, that the murdererof informed yester-
had admitted that he had imagined it Mr. Drummond
whom lie had shot, and not the unfortunateas Sir Robert Peel
had fallen a victim to the murderous attack of gentlenian who
Her Majesty, upon this circumstance being'of the prisoner.
is said to have evinced the most gratif‘ • related to her,
providential escape of the right hon, gratifying emotions at the
feelings of the deepest pain and regretaronet, mingled with
fate of Mr. Drummond. Sir Robert Peel for the melancholy
from the Castle for Slough shortly took his departur
returned to town by the railway. after four o'clock, and
THE MANCHESTER FREE-TRADE
—This vast building is n HALL, PE
ow nearl • TER-STREET.
completed, the ceiling is to be l covered in • and, when
which will greatly add to the drynessi) astered and whitewashed,
The committee have decided that and comfort of the hall.
along both sides and one end of the hall gallery shall be carried
to project about nine feet, and the hall ; the side galleries
six inches. The side galleries end one about eleven feet
will
end one three seats, in depth. The have two seats and the
prices of tickets to the grand banquet. committe have fixed the
as the banquet is to extend ove 'We understand that,
have resolved on entertaining 4,oooprodigious a day. For that purpose
thirty-five in the interior. hall, forty-five yards by
the roof; and that there Rows of cast iron pillars support
enormous quantitytray be accommodation for the
of stores
streets are to be roofed i and attendants, three adjoining
waiters, 150 _ nas store rooms and lobbies. For
men are Potteries, 10,000 being drilled for the occasion. In the
made for the dinnerplates and
le and 3,000 other dishes are being
the same 12,000 fork dessert. Sheffield .is preparing for
spoons. Lancashii es and knives, and 800 salt and mustard
4,000 wine glasses • is making the glass, 4,000 tumblers,
first day there will 400 salts, and the mustard pots. On the
200 dishes of h be put on 400 tables 200 dishes of tongue,
sandwiches, 200 n, 200 dishes of veal pies, 200 dishes of
cabin ' dishes of sausages, 4,000 small loaves, 4,000
canister,) 20 biscuits, 200 canisters of wine biscuits (314. each
2,400 Bath 0 dishes of sponge and seed cakes, 4,000 pies,
bung 9
grapes, 2,400 or
, -00 dishes of almonds and raisins. 100 of
wine as it ina‘
banges, 2,400 apples, 200 dishes of nuts, and
are t'
bee ordered by the guests. The tickets of ad-
mission7s. Gd. for gentlemen, and ss. for ladies.
On the second day,'
one half. It is all the provisions will be increased by
are to be for not yet ascertained what the arrangements
admission the third and fourth days ; but the prices of
on are calculated so as to pay all expenses, and leave
an overplus for the league fund.—Afanchester Guardian.
CRIMINAL ASSAULTS BY THE TEACHER OF A NATIONAL
.—A Scuoot . t the Dungannon quarter sessions, the crown
cases were of very little importance, save one, at the prose-
cution of The Queen against Hugh Lonny, a teacher of a
National School near Dungannon. The prisoner was in-
dicted in two numbers for assaults on two female children
which excited a good deal of interest, and occupied the
court from ten o'clock on Friday morning until six o'clock
in the evening. The jury having returned a verdict of guilty
without leaving the boy, the learned banister, Richard
Nunn, Esq., before pronouncing sented
tie,
asked the prisoner
if he was a married man ? Ile repliet was His
addressed the prisonerffect :
worship then
—Hugh Lunny, you have been convicted,
most
.gatinvicted, after a
on, conducted
patient, lengthened, and scrutinising investigation,
'
with the most zealous perseverance, and defended with great
:zeal and talent, of an assault upon females of tender years,
aggravated by the circumstance of their having been placedunder your charge for the purpose of education. The i
cir-
cumstances that have been brought out n evidence have been
of a most revolting and debasing nature' It is monstrous
that a person entrusted with the education of youth ought
not to be more circumspect in their conduct than if placed in
other situations, and, 1 am sorry to sayd,
that what has ap-
peared in evidence does not tend to raise the character of
• • 'lnch you hold your situa-
the tuitional institution undo u
situa-
tion. Why should an unmarried man, be placed over the
female department of the school?
W by should not their
education be entrusted to a female ? I trust the circumstan-
ces that have apppeared before us this tiny will influence
those who have the management of this national establish-
ment.
to take such measures as will give a female
superin-
tendent for the female department of those schools -,,_
defence you have set up " that it was a conspiracy 1: The
you," tends to aggravate your offence ; a y brought
thereby attempted to show that the children of a you have
committed to your care have come forward to tender Years
and deliberate perjury. In that defence I commit Wilful
altogether failed. The sentence of the , towever, you have
court
Ilugh Lunny, be imprisoned for two i 5, that
Omagh. years in the gaol you.
e gaol of