§ Sir G. Stauntonhad intended to put a question as to the commercial relations of this country with China on Monday, but understanding that it would be equally convenient to the noble Lord the Secretary for the Colonies to answer it immediately, he would put it at once. He begged to inquire whether British subjects, acting in contravention of the spirit if not the letter of our recent commercial treaties with China, by endeavours to introduce into that country the prohibited article of Opium, are to be considered to forfeit, by such acts, the aid and protection of the British Crown; and if so, whether, in addition to such forfeiture of British aid and protection, they will be liable to specific pains and penalties under British laws, or to any direct interference and obstruction on the part of the British authorities in China? Also, whether the article of Opium will be allowed to be landed and warehoused at Hong Kong, for the purpose of re-exportation into China? He had been induced to put this question at the request of several merchants in the city connected with the China Trade. Much difficulty and misunderstanding would be prevented if it were in the power of Her Majesty's Government to state what course the British authorities in China were instructed to pursue with respect to the Opium Trade, and also the nature of their commercial regulations generally.
Lord Stanleysaid, the question put by the hon. Gentleman was one of great importance, and he should have no hesitation in giving him, if not the details of the instructions which had been given, at least the principle by which Her Majesty's 473 Government intended to be guided. The hon. Gentleman would agree with him that the suppression of the Opium Trade by forcible measures, considering the determination on the part of the people of China to consume that drug, and on the part of the principal officers of the Chinese government to connive at its introduction, was hopeless; and he thought the hon. Gentleman would agree with him also, that it was an object of considerable importance to induce the Chinese government, if possible, to consent to its introduction, and to legalise the trade, subject to such an amount of duty as they might feel inclined to propose. That was the object which Sir Henry Pottinger had been labouring to accomplish, but with what success he had not been able to ascertain. If it were impossible to prevent the smuggling of Opium into China, it would be inconvenient to allow its introduction into the island of Hong Kong. It was important to secure a legal trade in that island, and as the British Government were resolved to act with scrupulous good faith towards the Chinese government in all the commercial regulations which had been entered into, the most stringent instructions had been issued that no encouragement whatever, and such discouragement as they possibly could, should be given to any smuggling trade between the island of Hong Kong and the coast of China. Of course they could not interfere with the cargoes of British vessels, or act the part of Chinese police; but the merchants had been warned that if they chose to violate the laws of China, either by the introduction of prohibited goods into a legalised port, or the introduction of any goods whatever into ports not legalised, they must not expect the protection of the British Government; but must be exposed to the penalties inflicted by the laws of China. With regard to the introduction of Opium into Hong Kong, the Government had given discretionary powers, both to Sir Henry Pottinger, the late governor, and Mr. Davis, who was appointed to succeed him, than whom the Government could hardly have found a gentleman more competent for the situation, both by his intimate knowledge of the subject, and his acquaintance with the peculiarities of the Chinese character. The instructions sent out to the Governor of Hong Kong were in substance these. It was their desire that the island of Hong 474 Kong should not be made a great nest of smugglers, for the purpose of carrying on an illicit traffic with the coast of China. It was their object that it should become the great mart for the commerce of all nations and for the extension of a legal commerce with China, and measures with regard to the introduction of Opium were to be such as were best calculated to effect that object, and to convince the Chinese authorities that we were in earnest in effecting it. They did not intend to prohibit the introduction of Opium into Hong Kong for the purpose of consumption. They were of opinion that the imposition of a moderate duty on importation, without a drawback on exportation, would have the effect of preventing its being imported for the purpose of being exported again. He understood that there was a difference of opinion amongst the Chinese authorities on this subject, as they thought that although a moderate duty might operate as a check, yet it would appear to give a kind of sanction to the trade. The Governor had power to act according to his discretion on this point, and might take such means, both for preventing smuggling and promoting the legalised trade, as would satisfy the Chinese government that this was their only object. They had given him great latitude, He thought it was probable that the governor would impose a moderate duty on Opium imported into Hong Kong, although the Government had left it to him to consider whether it would be better that the importation of that drug should be altogether prohibited from the island or not.
§ Sir G. Stauntonsaid, that in much that fell from the noble Lord he concurred, and he was gratified to hear it. Nothing could be further from his intention than to express any opinion favourable to the legalisation of the Opium Trade. But he thought it no more than due to the noble Lord to express his gratification at the noble Lord's declaration,
That the most stringent instructions had been given that no encouragement whatever, and such discouragement as they possibly could, should be given to any smuggling trade between the island of Hong Kong and the coast of China. That, the merchants had been warned that if they chose to violate the laws of China, either by the introduction of prohibited goods into a legalized port, or the introduction of any goods whatever into ports not legalized, they were not to expect the protection of the British Government, but must 475 be exposed to the penalties inflicted by the laws of China. That Hong Kong should not be made a great nest of smugglers, for the purpose of carrying on an illicit traffic with the coast of China, but become the great mart for the commerce of all nations, and for the extension of a legal commerce with China.He thought that the appointment of Mr. Davis was one that did honour to her Majesty's Government; a more fit person for the office which he had undertaken could hardly be found.