Mr. Davids Translation of two Edicts from the Hoppo of Canton. 543 



It is proper for me, the Hoppo, who received the Imperial com- 

 mission for their control, to meet and consult with His Excellency the 

 Viceroy on the best measures to be adopted. AVhat is already past need 

 not be renewed : but this mandate is expressly issued to Howqua and the 

 other Hong merchants, that they may transmit it to the foreign merchants 

 of every nation. They must strictly conform to old established usage, 

 and sweep clean away their recent bad habits ; then they will not repay 

 with ingratitude the great benevolence of His Imperial Majesty. Let the 

 Hong merchants, also, sincerely and with all their might, enjoin it on the 

 Linguists, Conpradores, &c. to " change their faces and wash their hearts,"* 

 to pay a strict obedience to the regulations without seeking petty gain, 

 whereby they will entangle themselves in the net of the law. 



After the issuing of tliis mandate, should any person obstinately persist 

 in ill doing, or dare to treat this admonition lightly, I, the Hoppo, in 

 conjunction with His Excellency the Viceroy, will investigate to what 

 nation and to what ship the offending person belongs. If the offence be 

 light, I shall order the Hong merchants to have no intei'course \n\h that 

 particular ship : if the offence be heavy, I shall address his Majesty on the 

 subject of not permitting that particular nation's ships to enter the port. 

 As to those worthless Chinese who instigate to evil, I shall, according to 

 the law which relates to unlawful intercourse with foreigners, first state the 

 circumstances to His Majesty, and then carry the law into effect. The 

 consequences will not be light to the persons and families, as well as to the 

 lives of the Hong merchants. It is to be apprehended that the mere 

 privation of the button will not be sufficient to cover (or atone for) their 

 offence. Let all implicitly obey : disregard not this special mandate. 



Taou-Kwang, 5th year, 9th moon, 6th day. 



2. Copy received by the British Factory on tlie 21st of October 1825. 



Ta, Hoppo of Canton, &c. he, to the Hong Merchants. 



In the resort of the foreigners of various nations to Canton for the 

 purposes of trade, whatever business must be managed by the said foreigners 

 in person, is allowed to be transacted by them in the foreign factories. 



• It has been very well suggested, that they had better wash their faces and change their 

 hearts. 



