Chinese Newspapers.
The Times, 1824-04-17T00:00:00

We have been favoured with translations fforoma- kries of Gaetfes,. published at Peking and Canton , and exteid- rtg ia date from October, 1822, to October, 1823. 'Of i untry so singular.and so little known as China, there may be Some gratificatiox to public eurfosity, in collecting the evieenee of the state of manners and general administration which -these extracts afford, and we therefore subjoin a few of the most remarkable of them. The translations are from the pen of Dr. Morrison. The stte of criminal jurisprudence is illustrated by the in the 126th number of the Peking (Gazette, the Em- peror's Ministers report that they nave divided the list of fitninals whose death-warrants require his sanction, into seven parts, and have taken the opinion of the Astronomical 30ard as to the proper days for his Majesty to affix his mark. This is done by drawing a curved line in red inL- Under the name of the person to be executed. The nuin- fer of criminals included in thisreport was 479. His Ma- jesty gave orders on the first day, that 76 were to be exe- ctlted within 40 days; on the second, tlhat 65 ehould suffer within the same petioai ; o01 the third, 84 within 18 days; on the fouith, 74 within 35 days; on the fifth, 72 within 12 days; on the sixth, 82 from 4 to 9 (lays; and on the seventh 2s, condlemnied at Court, within the same period In this list are included only the lighter degree of-capital oflences, and, as in very atrocious crimes, unless doubt arises respecting the criminal, punishment is inflicted in a very summary manner, no criterion is afforded ofthe whole number of capital punishments within the year. Even in cases refcrred to the Emperor for his decision, the criinitial Is sorletimes put to death before his order can be obtained. Torture in criminal proceedings appears to be freely ap- pli,ed. In the latter end of 1822, his Majesty issued an of. liclal mandate, addressed to the whole empire, in which he declares, that within the space of a few montlhs it has come to his knowledge that no less than seven witnesses have either been tortured to (leath, or committed suicide in consequence of the pain of torture. Two of these were females. His Majesty, however, does not prohibit the questiotl by torture, but desires it nay not be carried so fas as to occasion death, and that prisoners may be guiarded more eatefully, to prevent suicides. This mnandate must not be to construed as to introduce undue lenity in the exami- hation of witnesses. In cases ot doubt. the Emperor sometimes orders the criminal to be re-tried. In an Imperial mandate, in the 125th number of the Pekin- Gazette, his Majesty declares, that in viewing the list of capital ofences, requiring his Signature for the autumnal death-warrant, there is a ease t- murder in the provime of Szechun, the evidence for -i .hich does not appear credible, and the Governor is there- ; . ore ordered to subject the parties to torture, and to try the criminal anew." T'he case is this-A villager had stolen some raiment from the landlord of whom he rented his cot- tage, and after wearing it a considerable time, it was ob- served by the owner hanginig out to dry, a-d claimed as his property; but on account of its having become the worse for -wear, he demanded the value in money. Thus origi- nated ill-will between the parties. The villager, as the case is stated to the Emperor, formed the diabolical resolutior of killing his oivn wife, and charging his landlord with the rnurder. In pursuance of this de- sign, le caused her to accompany him to the borders of the landlord's grounds, to collect fael, when, watching his opportunity, he clave her skull with his chopping-knife, and killed her on the spot. Now, the Emperor argues, that since it does not appear that he was previously on bad terms with his wife, nor that she disclosed1 the theft, it is rlot credible that be killed his own wife to involve another man in the charge of murder. His Imperial Majesty is anxious to repress litigation. In the Canton Ggzette of the 11th if October, 1822, it is offi- cially announced, that " appeals from the provinces have become so frequent of late, that the Emperor commands strict search to be made to discover all ' law-suit-exciting- blackguards,' who fatten on feuds themselves have en- kindled, and, wvhen found, to punish them severely." A few miscellaneous extracts follow :- CANTON, Dlc. 22, 1822. Chting, the Foo-yuen, has issued a very long proclamation, exhort- ing the people under his government to industry and the practice of all the social virtues: he stateshis-object in eight words-it is, he says, " Encourage industry-.establish education-praise virtue- repress vice." The effect of which, he liopes,will be tranquillity amongst the poor, and the prevalence of good mamuers and customs. " Ancient rulers,' says the Foo-yuen, " thought, that if one man was unreclaimed, ii must be some fault ia the ruler." I commenced life (says he) as Chee-tiein, magistrate, and in Canton province, I served twent) years. I was removed to Shan;vtung, and te Ho-nan; and now T art placed here in the situation of Foo-yuen, bearing also the office ol Censor-General (general adviser of h is Imperial 'Majesty, and a Captain empowered to call for the army of Canton). Music and wo. men, goods and gains, revelry and feasting, have no charms for me t Aly only, constant, unremitted, needful, anxious desire, wbich I dare not decline to cherish, is, that I may look on national affaire as much as if they were my domestic affairs; and theaflairs pf the poor people, as if they were my own personal affairs. - Having had to give thanks to the Wise and lHoly One, for ap. pointing me to be the soother of the people, I am well aware that in all the districts undermy govemment, robberies and theftsprevail and burn, litigations and imprisonmentb abound and multiply, po. lite decorum and instruction do not flourish, and the public manners are not substantially good. WVithout an increased and great effort to correct what is wrong, I shall be unable to console the people, and slall have no hope of rendering a recompense for the favour of my country; be.ides diligent attention to actual cases that come before me, and constant deliberation for the publie good, I deem it now rigbt, on first alighting from my carriage among you, to draw out a list of the important things I would have attended to, and pablish them by way of proclamation, commanding all the Government of. ficers, clerks, country gentlemen, solAiers, and poor people, as one body, to yield implidt obedience thereto. Oppose sot I A sPECIAL EDICT.-FIRST TOPIC.-ENCOURAGE TItE MEANS OF PROCtURIrGo FOOD.-FIVE SECTIONs. lst. A supply of watet is fundamental to the existence of the peo. ple. In agriculture, water to irrigate the fields, is to the husbandman as arteries and veins to the life-giving fluid. Canton is near to hills and mountains, and the land is dry, so that ten days' want of rain raises the complaint of drought. (The Foo-yuen then states what ef. forts he made when he was a magistrate of Naw-heung district, to ptomote a supply of water.) 2dly. Plant trees !-Of all Nature's gifts, there is none more im- portant than the growth of trees, which neither require to be clothed with your garments, nor eat your rice. 3dly. Breed domestic animals. 4thly. Encourage Charity and Compassion.-'Nature cannot equa- lize her gifts, or give a complete competencv to all but relies on thosewho have theability, to compassionate the poor, and they shall be alaundantly rewarded in their children and their grand-children. Gthly. Honour Economy.-Canion is a luxurious extravagant province, and of all the districts. Kwang-chou and Chaou-chou are the worst. The vice begins with theretired literati, and passes to the country gentlemen; from them to the rich merchant, and down to the common people; they desire to have gay shining dwellings, their wives and children adorned with gold and jewels, their food and drink brought from the seas and'the mountains, theirgarments to be silk and crepes; theirancestors' halls must, in violationoftheir proper sphere, have vermilion beams and pillars, forgetting that Heaven'n cursm will come upon those who affect an enjoyment which does not beong to their place; whereas, in the affluent, charity to the poor and rescuing the distressed bring a blessing on osterity for hun- dreds of years. Besides, the Emperor, who is supreme, and whose riches embrace al the world encerapareed by the " Four Seas,"- - himself sets you an example, i SECOND TOPIC.-.ESTABLIs5 rwSTl'CTXIO.--VN SECTIONS. l ast. Teach filial piety and fidelity-Nature gives to all, wrhe- ther scholars, farmers, mechanics, or merchants, sn innate sense of the four virtues expressed by four words-Filial, fraternal (duties), faithfulness, truth. 2dly. Cultivate talent.SChools are the placee to 'foster talent, and I hold schools to be of the first importance. Why so %lo* iu assisting where aid is required? I will subscribe my salary to assist poor districts, to establish public schools; and let thc Foo districts subscribe 200 taels, andTthe Chih.lechou district 150 tetas, and the iteen districts 100 taels ; and all the local offeers, according to their ability; and let them taketheled," and induce the countrygentlemen to come forward and mtanage the eaDcern ; M1y. Pespeet the aged. 4thly. The gentry are-the bope of the poor peopl. Let them in. ztruct and guide them. ithly. Let the rich who derived their wealth frora- their srcestor asist their poor kindred. gthly. Let the poor remember that riches and poverty are accord. ing to thie decree of HIearen: and let them be contest. 7thly. Let merchants andtraders deal fairly and honestly. 8thly. Instruct mothers to teach their children: early instruc. tions are second nature. gthly. Since women do not learn to read, let fathers and husbandg instruct their wives and daughters, on whom the riseorruilt of a fa-, ,wmily depends. The duties of wornen are chiefly these olkbe dutiful -t? their husbands andparents; to re3pect their husbands; to a with their sisters and to teach their children to be diligent in a,- -iDg or spinning; to prepare repast of wine and fi t thest'e a., WUemfnci*6 of Eittuigte eatAblished, Ithey will he tooav wives ar(d-roth&*, ia 'chii, and an louour to their family; bat if theyr 'seiidslged,an1 left uhinstructed, their virtue willbe lost, and: their family disgraced. THIItlD TOPFXcCA-(DDRESSMD TO MWGISTRATES.)-SEVEN SECTIONS. 1. Laud and sooth the distresses of the virtuous. 2. Honour filial piety. 3. Itespect the aged. 4. Hold up to view the eminently virtuous. 5. Illustrate the good and charitable. C. Praise and encourage correct and benevolent conduct,in village elders aia city constables. 7. Give honorary banners to families that excel in domestic virtues. FOURtH TOPIC.-SEVEN SECTrONS. Ist. Prohibit gaming. 2dly, Interdict suicide, or making light of one's life. Itis the de- testable custom of Canton province, on every occasion, for a slight resentment, to commit suicide, and the relatives of the self-mur- derer view the dead body as a piece of goods of extraordinary value: they- continue to allege that the deceased committed suicide in con- sequence of ill-usage from some rich neighbour, who, to avoid litigation, giYes them a sum of money; and if he refuses, they com- bine with the police and commence a prosecution, &c. Wheni I was at Nan-heung district, in the office of magistrate, five or six suicides occurred every month. 3sMly. Canton abounds in hiUls and vales: it abounds in thefts and robberies, both by individuals and associated bodies of men. Let these be acted against. 4thly. Vaga'sond attornies excite litigations, increase and protract them, in numbers infinite, and to periods interminable. The in- nocent are accused, and the utterly wrong become the accusers; they find avaricious and cruel magistrates, and fraudulent police ex- tortioners. Disputes about marriages and land are viewed by ma- gistrates as petty afflirs, and are given to the management of under- lings, and by various forms of legal fraud an4 oppression families are ruined and lives lost, &c. 6tlily. Put down the vicious who rebel against the higher rela- tions, and offentd against parents, elder brothers, &c. 6tlly. Seize on bandits who belong to brotherhood, or to clubs and societies who swear attachment to each other. 7thly. Seize sharpers and vagabonds,whomake themselves the ter- ror of the neighbourhood, and who catry weapons about them, try to get into quarrels, that they may Insult the desolate and injure the feeble. rf these my instructions be but rouighly regarded, tranquillity will prevail amougst the people: if they are nirely regarded, n, complete renovation of the public manners will be the result. I desire that all my officers, gentry, and common people, will not consider this as vague loose moralizing, nor view the document as a paper issued for form's sake; but, in deed and in truth, respectfully receive it and act upon it; and the good! effects wil long be felt, and ray hopes will appear to have been substantial and well-founded. 2d Year, 11th M%oon, 8th Day. TAOU KWANG. CANTON, JAN. 11, 18P. In 1818, Yuen, Governor, and Le, the Foo-Yuen, a deputy Governor, wrote to the late Empcror, requesting his permission and authority to compile a topographical account of the province of Canton, assigning as reasons for so doing, that the one then in use was composed 90 years ago, and also very ineorrect and defective, and the one they wished to compile would furnish materials for the Imperial Historiographers, and an enlargement and correction of the great statistical account of the empire, called ' I I I Tai-tsing- tung-che. Indeed, the office at court, caUled Kivo-tshe-kwan,haddi- rected all the Governorsofprovinces to collectmaterials fortthe correc- tion of the Tai-tsing-tung-che. Thelate Emperor expressed his appro- bationofOovernor Yuen's design, and the workwas undertaken under the direction of 37 persons, of various ranks and acquirements, sub- ject to the general control of the Governor. Four years have been employed in the compilation of the book and the printing; it is now about being published, in 100 volumes, under the title of Kwang- tung-tung-che, or " a General Topography of Canton." The Governor was anxious to have a copy with him on his pre- sent journey to the eastern parts of the provinces, that he might compare it, but the printer wished to sell a copy (the first) at a high price, before the Governor had his. However, Yuen sent for the head printer, and inflicted two dozen blows, less four, in the Chi- nese manner, which chastisement had the effect of producing a copy for the Governor's immediate use. The arrangement and topics in this book are in imitation of a si. milar work concerning Kwang-see province, composed during the late reign. It enters much into the history and antiquities of the province, with biographical notices of eminent persons, which illus. trate the history and poetry of the country. The maps are more complete than any heretofore published, having one appropriated te every Kleen district; the names of the princpal hills are given, and tthe latittde and longitude, according to the meridian of Peking. These maps are by a priest of the Taou sect, who has either been instructed directly by the European missionaries, or has informed himself of European astronomy and geography from the books pub. lished by them in the Chinese language. His astronomical notione are those which place the earth in the centre of the universc. The last ections of the book appear from the index to contain miscellaneous notices, some of them, it is believed, concerning the foreign trade to China, but a complete copy of the work has not yet been procured. Na-yen-ching, the Governor of Shen-see and Kein-sub, has re. viewed the troops in those two provinces, and sent a flattering ac- count of the state of discipline in which they are. le, however, re. commends that they should practice more: there were but a few that he had to reprimand on the field; and three officers, whom he de. sires may be dismissed, for bad horsemanship and but poor shots. PEKING, JuLY 25, 18-23. This day his Imperial Majesty has published the following corn- mands.:_ " In consequence of the excessive rains having continued inces. santly since the 16th instant, and the Emperor feels deeply con- cerned for the poorest people, and night and dayy suffers mental angnish from an apprehension that these rains will inundate the whole country, it is incumbent to selectimmediatcely a fortunate day to pray for fair weather. " I hereby commnand, that the Company of Priests of the Taou sect be chosen to erect an altar in the ' Great Lofty Palace,' and commence prayers. I appoint my eldest son to go in person to ofer incense; and I direct the King Shing-Tsin-WVang to repair to the temple of the God of the WVind and the God of the Clouds, and offer incense; and let the King Sing-Tsin-Wang go to the God of the Seasons' Templeand to the God of the Thunders' Temple, and ofler incense. I further command Twan-gain to superintend the whole ceremony; and Fuh-sing to remain there night and day; and let hangl-hea form two parties to take alternately the duty of re. maining over night to offer incense.-Respect this. " PEKING, JULY 31, 1823. "In consequence of the excessive rains which commenced on the 16th instant, I commanded on the 25th that prayers should be offered for fair weather. This morning at day-break the clouds began to disperse,for whiclh I feel the deepestgratitude.-I comnmaRd this:- " One stick of Thibet incense be taken and delivered to may eldest son,-that he may go to the 'Great Lofty Temple,' and with piety and sincerity prostrate himself and return thanks: then let the altar be removed. Send als,o four sticks of Thibet incense to the Tem pes of the Seasons, the Winds: the Clouds, and the Thun- der Os, and tlhanks be retarned. Let the priests who read pray. es be r-ewarded by the Court that superintends the Imperial house- hold.-Re8pect, this." In the end of July and the beginning of August the rains were so excessive in the province of Chea-keang as to inundate the country, and sorne tracts of low land were completely under wvater, .so that the peosle had to betake themselves to the hills; and it is further reportea, that in the above provinee a hill had sunk and a lake forniedin its place ; the distressed survivors wished to retire to Keang-see province in search of a.subsistence, but the Deputy Go. vernor has sent supplies of money to the frontiers, and forbidden thle admission of bands of beggars. Sung-chung-tang, the aged companion of Lord Alfacartney, has been ordered to Jehol, to presideat a Court of Inquiry there. The Chinese Government, as an absolute monarchy, partakes of the personal character of each successive Sovereign, and is cruel or aient, penurious or cxtravagant, accordingly. Some persons in hisapresent liajcst is not so hostile as his father was to Christianity; and hence the Peking Gazette does not contain infor- mations against.Christiansfrom theprovincesas it did during the last years of the late Emperor.S CANTONL, SFPr. 17_1823. On the 10th inst. the treasurer waited on the Gove-nor, and informed him that he was going to perform the autumnal sacrifice to* the Nanhoy God. On the 11th thie Governor issued, on red paper, a proclamation, announcing the congratulations to be paid, nnd ceremonis.to be ob- served, on the 14th instant,being theEmperor's birth.day-a day sa- cred! Theanniversaryofoneo r the tenthousandyears of I,slife! ' ! On that day, at four o'clock in the morning, all the civil and 'militaryoflicers were required, in court dresses, to repair to t'he hall dedicated to his Miajesty, and there perform the prostrations usual on such occasions; and to wear their,court dresses three days be- fore and three days after the birth-day ; but-the 9th and 15th being anniveraries of the deaths of certain members of the Imperial Pa. mily, they are not tw of joy upon those days. -Howver tomakeup he uU prio ofdays; the court dresses are O h e 1ta i n st.,o f th e d y G o v er n o ar, Fo o -v u e n, a dnd a l th e civ il an d miltar oficrs f te ctyof antn,reird to the Temple of he Queen o? Heaven, and performed the autumnal sacrifice before the-comniissioners, and orders theindividusi in-question to pay the CHZIEgR N EWSNPPERS.