542 Mr. Davids Translation of two Edicts from the Hoppo of Canton. 



and water to support their existence. As it was likewise to be feared that 

 the foreigners, unacquainted with the laws of the celestial dynasty, might 

 be led into a violation of them by worthless natives, a high and trusty 

 officer was appointed for their especial superintendence, at the same time 

 that the Viceroy delegated to the proper civil and military officers their 

 general government and control. The mercy was most great, but the laws 

 are most severe. The foreigners have either chiefs to superintend their 

 affiiirs ; or there is an inferior control exercised by each captain or master 

 over those under his particular command. If they can strictly conform 

 themselves to ancient usage, mutual good understanding may be preserved 

 for ever. 



It appears, however, that of late years remissness has proceeded from 



long neglect. With the exception of the English president, who indeed 



understands the great principles of moral jBtness,* and of the foreigners 



of that nation (those in the Company's employ), who preserve a due regard 



for their respectability, tlic others, namely the American and Keang-ked 



(the country or private trading English) foreigners, regardless of the great 



benevolence and goodness of His Imperial Majesty, listen to and allow 



themselves to be led astray by worthless Chinese. The law has always 



been, that if any stranger felt himself aggrieved, he should acquaint his 



chief, or the captain of his own particular ship, that lie might transmit the 



complaint to the Hong merchants for presentation before the Hoppo, who 



would act with justice therein himself, or consult with His Excellency the 



Viceroy on the best mode of settling the affair. It has appeared of late 



that foreigners of various countries, allowing themselves to be led astray 



by worthless persons, and to be detected in the commission of improper 



acts, have, as soon as they were found out and restrained, pretended to 



have suffered some great hardship, and taking upon themselves to present 



an address in a foreign language,! proceeded to the city-gate to deliver 



the same. This was a daring act of irregularity, and deserving of great 



reprehension. 



• Ta-e. To K-a-Xn xcci Tc iiKxtcv. For the Chinese characters see Plate XIII, No. 9. 



f An edict was some months ago issued by the Viceroy, declaring that none but the English 

 chief had the right of addressing the local government in the Chinese character : all others are 

 obliged to address him in their own language, to be translated by the Hong merchants. This is 

 a material advantage which the Company have extorted for themselves. The Viceroy refers to 

 tlie discussions which took place in 1814. — J. F. D. 



