Trade With Batavia.
The Times, 1824-10-19T00:00:00

The following letter wvas received yesterday at Lloyd's from the agents at Bat3na:- BATAVIIA., June 23, 1824. The proclamation of this Government, under date the 20th of Mlay, 1822. appearing not to be generally known in England, we beg to hand you herewith a translation of the sarme for the infor- mation of the committee. Under this proclamation, the American sliip Pranklin, which arrived lhere on the 10th of May from Padang, was detained in con- sequence of having on board 90 stand of arms. The captain de- clared his total ignorance of the law, and affirmed that the muskets were not intended for this place; in =ousequence of which, the vessel was released, but the muskete landed and confiscated, without en- forcing the penalty of tour times their value against the ship. The Gu ardiinr, Captain Sutherland,was likewise detained for sorme time, in consequence of having 300 stand of arms on board, intended for Singapore. The arnis were landed and confiscated, and the consig- nees were obliged inorcover to give security for the amount of the tine, before the vessel was al!owed to proceed from thii port. The Caroline, which, arrived here on the ISth inst., has on board upwvards of 4,009 stand ef anns, and a very considerable quantity of ammunition. amolunting altogether to upwards of 8,0001. prime cost, also consigned to Singapore, for which port a great portion of her cargo was shipped. The bill of lading for these goods containr other goods belonging to the same shipper to the amnount of nearlv 16,0001. or mare, and there is authority on the back of the bill ot lading to a house here, to land any part of the goods they may think fit. Perceiving the nature of the property, ho,eever, the house im- mediately declined having any thing to do with them and intimat- ed to the captain that iie must carry on the whole to Singapore. The circumstance of the Caroline having firc-arrns arid ammunition on board soon became public, and the captain was advised to go to tdie Director of Commerce with his bills of lading f:r Singapore, and explain the circumstance to him. The Governor-Gener-al De-nek has also been made acquasnted with the ciicumastance; and from th- well-knowvn equity and liberality ot the higher officers of this Go- vernment, upon whom the honest and fair course pursued by those co2,cerned will not be lost, it is almost certain, that neither she vessel nor any other part of her cargo will be interfered wirh, and it is even hoped that the goods im quest ion may be liberated, it mnay be a question how far this Government is authorized to detait, a Bri- tiush Slip, iind confiscate British property legally shipped in Great Britain tbr a British colony, for coming into this port, to deliver a part ot hier cargo, destinied for this place. Had the Goods been shipped by the British Government or by the East India Company, for the troops and garrison of Singapore or Padang, thev would have been eq,ually subject to seizure by thlis law. ind eed, a ship passing through the Straits of Sunda is equally subject to seizure, sheuld she ancher at Anier. NVe have thought it necessary to be thus particular, that you may give notice to all ship5 bound for this place, or proceeding through the Straits oft Sunda. John Bennett, Esq. PROCLAMATION Or HIS EXCELI.EXCY THE GO_ VERNOR-GENERAL IN CVOUNCIL OF flAY 2R. lff22. As we have taken into consideration that tl1e importation of fire- arms and gunpowder (to prevent the abuse ISat it might give rise to) ought not to be generally permitted. but,Qa tLhe contrary. should rest exclusively in the hands of Government for the purpose of in- stituting such preeautions and taking such measures as may be re- quired for the general safety mi supplying the irhabitants and the navigation when they need it That for the same reasons regulations ought to be mEde with re- spect to the sale of ordneance, fire-arms, anti gunpowtder. And as thc very useicl and appropriate measures enacted by the Supreme Go- vern:nent in fornmer (ina . as to tire possession and use of fire-arms by inhabitants of thiese countrics have got into complete disuse, tnd the necessity has thence originated that renewed artl eflfctive meta. sures should be taken on this head. So we hasve thought proper to decrce. as islecreed by tnese presents, the foilowing regulations:_ 1. The importation of fire-arms and gunpowder. otherwise tlhan fur account of Government, is hetreefortli forbidden through the vhole of Netherlands India. 2. All fire-arms and gunpowder. for which, in compliance to art. 24 of the regulations, or. the levivng ot the in and outward duties. permission for importation has been requested, must, upon a refusal, be re-exportced to the place from whence they camne. The concerned will, however, have it; n their power to resign these objects to the Government at such prices as will amicably and reasonably be mu- tually agreed upon. 5. Tie landing of any fire-arms or gunpowvder brought here be- tore the I st os Janulary, 18248 inuaterially by what ships, shall not be allowed, ani tdie captain or supercargo of sucr slhips will have to enter into a requisite secutity for the importatien. 4. Aftcr the aliove-mentminoed period! no captain of any sh-p will be permitted to tour'hb at. or anchor in any of the roads. harbours, or coas-t of the Netherlands' possessions in india. with other fire-arms or gunpowder or, board, than such aS nmay be required for the de- fence of the ship: tar less vill lie br allowed to inspeort said fire-arnms or gUorpowler, under a penalty of confiscation., and a fine of four timnes the valule of what mnay be seized. .5. CUdet the head of lire-arms and gun,powder, of which the hrn- portation is foLrbid(len, are not included ibwling-pieces,highly finish- ed pistols.:,aid other arms ofart and luxury. nor gunpowder known Un- (ier the name oi" 'i jw,' and the impornation of these, with the per- missioni Of tic local authorities, will be al3!0wed, provnided such fowl- ing-pieces and pistcls, with their appurtenances, be contained in se- iarate, 2nd thereto appropriate cases, and their invoice value; or should thtese fail, or not appear acceptable, then the value they may have by taxation anmount to no less thai WMOQ... provided also that the aforesaid ganpowder be contained in canisters not wcighing nuore than 2ib. The local authotities in granting a pernmission for itmporting the said gunpowder, vwill keep an eye upon tdie quantity an imported, lest the regulations of this article b'e abused. 6. The sale of tire-arms and gunpowder, with the exception of the leseription r.en-ioner( in art. 5, is expressly forbiddes under a pe- nalt) of confiscation of what nmay be sold, and of a fine not exceed. incr l,ttllerl. 7. No ordnance may be sold without a previousc permission from he local authorities. who will be careful in granting such per- 1. Anv one sciwo is authorized1 by art. 9 of these regulations tO possess irie.arr,r,whien he requires these or gunpowder, atnd ownrers, agents, or con4inanders of ships, wanting arms and ammunition for the defence otf their ships, may apply to the local authorities, whI will be able to) furnish them at reasonable rates. fi. To prevent tthe wrong use that may be made of fire-ar=nn their possession is only allowVed t A. Europeans tnd their descendants. B. All Government officers without cxceptioin. when they hold their comnainsisins. C. Such nersons a-s rmay have reeeisved a written permission to that eflect freomi the local authiorities. All fire-arms found in the possession of any other will be seized, and confiscated: and the proprietor shall, moreover, pay a fine of *25fl., and when unable to pay this fine, he will be punished vwt ' month's imprisonment. V. 10. Wlith a view of ensuring a right influence to the stipnia made in the foregoing article, every resident svill ascertain accu. rately the number of fire-arms and pistols in the hands of the inha. bitants under his jurisdiction ; and wil at tie same time grae written permissions for the pessession of fire-arms to all those. whom it mav appear safe to make this concession; it being fortb carefully observed that they be given only to such persons as en3t. a good nanme; on the least doubt of which, the residents will hi, it in tlheir power to retain the said armss and to take them over frb4 the proprietors at such prices as may mutually and reasonablyd agreed upon. 11. The permission forthe possession offire-arnms will be grantea free of expense, and must be renewed annually. Done at Batavia, iay 28, 1822. TRADE WITH BATA PAVIA.