402 REMARKS ON THE PRESENT-POSITION AND 



surprise, that they refuse intercourse with, and grant not a perma- 

 nent footing to, persons of different nations who come from remote 

 parts, further than supplying them as a matter of kindness with such 

 articles of exchange as they may require. If they advance one step 

 '>eyond this, it must be by force. 



At page 7, Mr. M. observes that the present government has 

 wisely thought fit 



"To substitute individital for corporate enterprise in trading to China. 

 Surely, then, it is called upon not to desert the new system in its birth, but 

 to protect and foster it ; to compensate for the withdrawal of that ' local ha- 

 bitation and a name,' — that local influence and power which have hitherto 

 (however imperfectly) sheltered and protected our interests in China, — by 

 such demonstrations as shall convince the people of that country, that our in- 

 dividual not less than our corporate traders enjoy the full countenance and 

 support of the British government." 



This appeal to our government to render some efficient protection 

 under the existing state of affairs in China is followed by a series 

 of accusations, occupying eight pages, on the ground of which Mr. 

 M. requires the government to secure reparation by force of arms. 



At pages 15 and 17, Mr. M. observes, 



" This truculent, vain-glorious people have been pleased to consider all 

 other inhabitants of the earth (as already intimated) as barbarians, — desti- 

 tute of all pretensions to civil, political, or moral excellence. They will not 

 permit themselves to be polluted by these ' barbarians' intermingling with 

 them, — except to such an extent and in such a manner as affords them oppor- 

 tunity for extracting from them a great revenue, by means of the most un- 

 blushing extortion." 



"The only terms on which they will suffer a commercial intercourse to be 

 carried on with the frontiers are an implicit acknowledgment of its springing 

 from the 'amazing and unmerited condescension' of the Emperor of Chinato- 

 wards 'his reverently-submissive tributary' the King of England, and his 

 ' barbarian and profligate subjects.'" 



" Listen to the language in which the Company's supercargoes are charac- 

 terized by the Viceroy of Canton. ' Good principles and solemn truths have no 

 effect upon them; and I was compelled to intercept their trade — to touch their 

 gains ; and no sooner ivas that done, than they mhmitted. They at-e a mercenary 

 gain- scheming set of adventurers, whom reason cannot rule. The dread of not 

 making money is that ivhich alone influences them." 



The word " Barbarian" is as old as almost any word in their lan- 

 guage. It was applied in the time of the Shang dynasty to the 

 Maou-tszes (a people who dwelt among them, but who were not 

 subject to their laws), and afterwai'ds to the people of Kwang- 

 tung (Canton), meaning the southern people, or foreigners, as we 

 shall see hereafter. The writer is induced to believe that the 

 Chinese do not attach to it an offensive meaning ; for, during his 

 personal intercourse with them, whatever may be their blustering in 

 their official documents, he again and again heard them acknow- 

 ledge our superiority over them, not only in our shipping and mer- 

 chandise in general, but as an intelligent people. He questions the 

 propriety of stating that they consider us " destitute of all pretensions 

 to civil, political, or moral excellence ;'' but influenced by motives they 

 endeavour to keep us at as great a distance as possible — not seeking 

 our commerce. As their notion of etiquette does not allow their own 

 merchants to rank with their magistrates, which we know is a false no- 



