Nineteenth Century China: Five Imperialist Perspectives by Dilip Basu

Author:Dilip Basu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kenneth G. Lieberthal and Richard H. Rogel Center for Chinese Studies
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

FO 677/86710

R.M. MARTIN

MINUTE ON THE BRITISH

POSITION AND PROSPECTS IN CHINA

Hong Kong, 19 April 1845

It is of great importance to examine our present novel and somewhat anomalous position in China; to ascertain what are our prospects in various points of view; and to trace the line of policy which national interests in combinations with national responsibility would indicate as the most advisable course to be pursued with reference to the mutual benefit of Great Britain and the vast Chinese Empire.

For two centuries Britain carried on a restricted commercial intercourse with one port of China through the medium of a well-organised mercantile Company; China was politically isolated from all other nations, and our sole object was to maintain in peace a profitable trade subject to the control and not unfrequent interruption of a haughty, jealous, and exclusive Government.

Our open, extensive, and unceasing prosecution of a traffic in a prohibited and pernicious drug was necessarily followed by violent acts on the part of a proud and determined viceroy, whose power was unequal to his will and who resorted to the only means at his command for the forcible suppression of what was deemed by his Sovereign a grievous evil fraught with great injury and suffering to the people and country at large. The result was soon manifested: England, much against her inclination, was compelled to declare war against the Government of China; the Chinese, whether by sea or by land, were everywhere easily discomfitted; the momentary fight was soon converted into an indiscriminate slaughter; fire suicide completed the dreadful havoc; the conquered cities became in several instances scenes of plunder, desolation, and anarchy; commerce was interrupted, and inland communication cut off, and finally the Chinese Government was compelled to sue for peace, and to pay the whole of the then estimated expenses of the war, to permit resort to four other ports as well as to Canton, to reduce their customs duties and Port Charges, and to cede an island to Great Britain on which a Colonial Establishment could be maintained for the protection of British commerce, for the development of civilization of the frontiers of the Chinese Empire, and which would not only serve as a guarantee for the future, but which would aid in preserving peace between the two countries.

English interests are now therefore irrevocably interwoven with those of China; we hold the largest stake at issue as regards her peaceful prosperity and national independence, and whatever strengthens our power, extends our commerce, and permanently enlarges our influence, is equally beneficial to China and to England. Other nations have since come forward to claim a participation in the concessions obtained by Britain. Treaties have been arranged with the United States and France, and China for the first time has entered into the social compact which Kingdoms as well as individuals find necessary for their protection, and which, rightly understood, is indispensable to their tranquility and to their improvement.

The far-seeing Politician must therefore admit that sooner or later China (whose inhabitants it

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