PROPOSAL FOR OPENING A FOREIGN TRADE WITH CHINA.

A PAMPHLET* has just been published, containing a proposal to open the Chinese trade, by establishing commercial stations on some-of the numerous unclaimed islands adjacent to the coast of China ; the stations to be free ports, not merely in name, but in reality. We have given the project some consideration, and it ap- pears to us, that by this plan all the difficulties which beset the question will be got rid of. The Company need: not be deprived of their Canton trade (if they think fit to carry it on), but merely of the monopoly of the home market. All the difficulties of dealing with the Chinese in China, or rather with' the Chinese au- thorities, will be avoided ; the necessity, either now or at any future period, of having recourse to violence, will be at an end; and a probable source of war, both with China and our European or American rivals, cut off'. Instead of being confined to one port, and having to pay the heavy expenses of a long conveyance, and a succession of profits on commodities produced by distant pro- vinces (it is singular enough, that the staple article, tea, is in this predicament), we could open a trade wherever there was a pros- pect of carrying it on with advantage, and purchase the articles we required as near as possible to the spot where they were produced. The heavy duties and "presents" which barbarian governments exact, and the vexatious restrictions to which they subject foreigners, would be evaded; or if the trouble con- sequent upon their commercial regulations had to be paid for, it would be paid for at the rate of a Chinese trader's wages, not of an English resident's. Neither would the Chinese trade be limited, as at present, to a few articles • but all the products of nature, and all the manufactures produced by the industry of upwards of a hundred millions of the most industrious people in the world (not even excepting those of England and Flanders), would be ex- changed for the cottons, woollens, and hardware of Britain, besides many other articles, such as opium, which must have previously been bought with our manufactures. If this plan were adopted and succeeded, the stimulus to the in- dustry of the nation would be incalculable. The inhabitants of the countries with whom we should open an unfettered commer- cial intercourse, exceed in numbers the combined population of Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and America : what is of more importance, they are skilful, industrious, and, like us, have arrived at what the Economists call the stationary condition, and are anxiously desirous of fresh markets. If the plan should fail, so much the better for the East India Company.- failure seems impossible, with common care. We must, owever, take • The Foreign‘Trade of China, divested of Monopoly, Restriction, and Hazata, lay means of Insular Commercial Stations. Published by E. Wilson.

time by the forelock, lest France or America should anticipate us in the project.

- The practical- objections—or rather. objection, for there is but one—is well disposed of in the pamphlet before us. It is asserted

ity the advreates of the Company's monopoly, that no trade can be

carried on but with the consent of the Chinese Government. It is ihown by a host of authorities, that the unauthorized trade is even it present of very considerable extent, and capable of indefinite in- crease ; that, though ostenAbly forbid.den, it is carried on by the connivance or rather by the consent of the authorities-; and that the edicts and prohibitions against it cannot be enforced. Opium, for instance, is an article expressly prohibited, not on commercial or political, but on n?oral grounds ' - and . °pinny!. is as necessary to a Chinese mandarin .as. claret or burgundy.to an English gentleman.

As to any difficulty in finding stations, it appears from practical authority;that there is none to be apprehended. The three places pointed out in the pamphlet are " an island nearly opposite to the Bocca Tigris : a second, as nearly as might be opposite to the port of Amoy ; and a third, between the mouths of the two great rivers of China, the Yang-tse-Kiang and the Hoang-Ho." (P. 76.)

In conclusion, we beg to recommend the proposal to all who are interested (and who is not?) in promoting the trade of the country and extending the market for its productions. The pamphlet is written with vigour, and frequently with a smartness producing the effect of wit; and though treating upon a dry subject, it is en- tertaining from beginning to end. f We would also recommend its readers not to be satisfied with a mere perusal, but to advance the adoption of the plan by all the means they may possess. The proposal, on the present scale, is, we believe, original; but the cautious need not be alarmed. The plan appears to have often suggested itself to practical men. It was pointed out as desirable by one of the witnesses before the Parliamentary Committee; and something like it was practised by the early Portuguese and Dutch adventurers, whenever opportunities and their force permitted. VOW their partial attempts succeeded, is known to every reader of history : the causes of their eventual failure may be attri- buted partly to the decline of the respective countries, but chiefly to the monopolizing doctrines of the mercantile system, and to the insolence, rapacity, and mismanagement of their officers.

We designed to have contented ourselves with a reference to the pamphlet; but some of the points as to the canmercial spirit of the Chinese, the probable demand for our manufactures, the.rea- diness with which the people adopt foreign articles if better than their own, and the ease with which an unauthorized trade can be carried on either upon the coast or at a small distance, are brought out so strongly, that we are tempted to extract a few passages. It should be observed, that they are from evidence given by practical men (some of them servants of the Company) long resident in the country, and experienced as to the circumstances of which they speak. It is unnecessary to give the names of each individual whose opinions we quote: they will be found in the pamphlet.

"An you were three times at Canton engaged in those transactions of com- merce, what should you say, from your opportunities of observing the character and habits of the people of China, as to their disposition with respect to inter- course with other countries and carrying on trade generally ?—They have a very great avidity to trade with everybody they are permitted to trade with. The merchants of China are extremely eager to trade with every one that comes into the country; more so than any people I have seen.

"Do you mean to say that they are a speculative, trading, enterprising coun- try?—Very much so; beyond any other I have seen."

"Did von happen to hear whether the British manufactures found their way into the interior of China, or whether they were confined to the districts adja- cent to Canton ?—They find their way into the interior, so far as the carriage of them will allow without rendering them too dear. They are very desirous of obtaining them, I understand, in all parts of China, particularly in many northern- districts, where they require the woollens for warm clothing."

"You have expressed an opinion, that in the event of the China trade being thrown open, it would probably centre in this country!: would that arise from cheaper purchases of tea, or from cheaper supplies in this country, or from cheaper shipping being engaged, or from what other cause?—There would be a greet e.zrort of maw/factures to those regions, and of course something would be wanted for returns. They would bring bark teas, and every description of produce."

"Can you state to the Committee any instance of the discovery of a new ar- ticle, or the extension of the production of an old one,_ which has added to the value of the imports into China?—! can state one, perhaps not of great import- ance, but it would show that there are many others with respect to which the same thing might be done. The large glasses or rummers which are used in

their houses for burning a light before their gods, opposite their front door: I

noticed them on one occasion as being made of imperfect China glass. I asked the Chinese if they would have any objection to British manufacture, if the

same patterns were preserved; and they gave me patterns of them, which I brought home, and had manufactured at Birmingham. I took them out, and had them sohl for a considerable price, and they have since continued to be sup- plied from different places to a great extent."

"You have stated that the Chinese Government have issued many edicts against smuggling: have those edicts been carried into force or not?—They certainly have, to the utmost capability of the weak Chinese Government. I *mild say, that they:have rather shown the hostility of the Chinese Government to the system, than that they have been very effective in suppressing it. "Do you consider that smuggling has been decreased by them or the con- trary?—I should sarthat the weak and ill-organized government Of China can-

' We are informed, that the value of the importations of opium is at present about three millions per annum; 'basing advanced to this amount from half a million, which it was in 1820. In 1813-14,-the free trade between British India and China was short of -ten millions of dollars; in 4859-30, it exceeded thirty millions. The East India COmas pany's trade between Great -Britain and China, and between India and China, was . thirteen millions and a half of dollars; in 1899-30 it was only eleven millions and a haIL So much for monopoly, endeo much for free trade. tt; la any future edition..we suggest the accompaniment of a rough lithographic map of fiat' coast and riversmf China, as fm. as is necessary to illustrate the plan.- It will* a usefttlicddition to tboweerho.aremot versed in that portion of geography. zest follew up its edicts by a cottv.(sponding effectiveness; and they have proba,-- bly, iii a great measure, proved unavailing." "Are the Committee to understand, that although the trade of opium is pro- hibited under very severe penalties, yet that the quantity, imported, and the prices at which it is sold, are as regularly known as any other article which is authorized and regularly imported ported ?—It s made no secret of; it is generally known by the parties who deal in it, and they communicate it to others. The prices of opium are always given in the Canton Register, a public newspaper."

We close with an extract from the evidence of Captain JOHN MACKIE, who went on an authorized adventure along the coast, considerably to the north of Canton.

"Was the trade you carried on authorized by the laws of China ?—I under- stood it was not authorized, but it was done quite openly. "In the same way that the opium trade is carried on at Canton ?—The very same.

" Have you ever experienced any difficulty in carrying on the trade, although not formally sanctioned by the Chluese laws?— Never the least." " From the time of your arrival, how long were you detained before you dise posed of the whole of your cargo ?—From fifteen to twenty (lays. "Why did you make your returns in bullion only ?-2I was particularly de- sired by the agents of the brig to take nothing else.

" Could you have had returns in the produce of the country ?—I could have had returns in any produce of the provinces, such as sugar, tea, cassia, tortoise-. shell, naukeen.s, or any thing that could be had."

"Do you think you could have loaded your vessel with teas of good quality? —I have no doubt I could, of the very best quality. I have no doubt I could have had any sort of Chinese produce that I wished.

"What species of woollens do you think you could have disposed of?—Prin-.• cipally long ells and fine broad cloth; blankets and canalcts also would have mild very well : they are in ready demand all along the coast of China. " Were there any duties paid to the Government upon those cargoes?—I. never paid any duties; but I understood, that upon ALL OPIUM that is taken away from the ships the inferior officers of the Government get about twenty dollars for every chest: the Chinese pay that themselves; the ships pay nothing.

"Did you ever pay any port-charges of any kind ?—Never. " Were you ever annoyed by any of the Chinese authorities ?—No. I have been requested, as a favour, to shift nay situation, as the principal officer was: coming; and I have gone away, and come again in one or two days."