1 APRIL 1837, Page 10

A decree, dated 23d November the expulsion of British and

other barbarian merchants, bas been published at Canton. They were all ordered to be off in half a moon- " They are not to be pet flatted " says the edict, " to loiter and linger. If they have any business that eaunat be completed within the half moon, they at the expiration of that period must go to Macao for a little thne, and their accounts be left in your hands; ant as soon as all their affairs are settled, they must return to their country. They must not be permitted to stay at Macao as long as they please in opposition to the existing laws. If they presume tube insolent, and act haughtily, and will not listen to our kind words, and obsti- nately refuse to go the path we mark out, the celestial dynasty will not heed the consequences The laws will he maintained ; and titers

ere s reason to fear

the said barbarians will find it hard to get hack to their country. The houses in the Creek factory and iii several other hongs will be taken and sealed up, There must be no failure."

The pretence for this order is the practice of smuggling-

" The said barbarian merchants, Jai (line and others, have many years resided at Canton ; and can it be for no purpose? It is made clear, by your statement, that there are receiving ships in the outer seas ; that there is a clandestine trade carried on, and treasure is oozing out of the country ; that many native vessels go out to sea, to the receiving-ships ; and that there are also smugglers em- pluyed in the trade."

Perhaps, like many other Chinese decrees, this will turn out to be innocuous.