3
To conclude; it is my solemn and unbiassed opinion, from all I have myself seen since I came to China, that to legalize the sale of opium by barter is the only remedy for the trade, unless China can stop it altogether, and that I consider to be utterly impracticable.
(Signed) HENRY POTTINGER
"Queen" off Nankin, August 27, 1842.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Reply by the Imperial Commissioners to Memorandum on Opium.
(Translation.)
ON the withdrawal of the prohibition against opium it is not expedient at this time hastily to make any representations to the Throne. But the officers of China shall certainly be enjoined to confine their jurisdiction in that respect to the soldiery and people of the country, not allowing them to make use of it. Whether the merchant vessels of the various countries bring opium or not, China will not need to inquire or take any proceedings with regard thereto.
No. 2.
Sir H. Pottinger to the Earl of Aberdeen.—(Received May 7.)
(Extract.)Macao, February 6, 1843.
I SUBMIT a copy of a further Memorandum on the subject of opium which I drew up, when at Whampoa, and entrusted to Mr. Morrison to be made use of in case the Imperial Commissioner and Viceroy brought forward that subject, and which I still think there is every likelihood of their being obliged to do, when they come to enter into the details of the legal trade, and the measures to be taken for registering vessels of all kinds, with the object of putting down the pirates, who at present infest the coast to a fearful extent.
Inclosure in No. 2.
Memorandum.
I HAVE already urged so strongly and undeniably the advantages of legalizing the trade in opium by barter, that it is out of my power to add an argument to those I have already adduced. In fact, the Imperial Commissioners at Nankin, and the Governor-General at Amoy, candidly admitted that I was right in my views, and that the suppression of the trade depended on the Government of China being able to stop the use and consumption of the drug. I have not the smallest idea that this can be done, and I deeply regret that such a cause for bad feeling and risk of collision between British and Chinese subjects should still exist, and be allowed to continue. The High Commissioners and Governor-General have stated that the officers of the Chinese Custom-houses "need not trouble themselves to inquire whether our vessels bring opium or not;" but, at the same time, if the Chinese Government demand that opium shall not be introduced into the inner waters of the Empire, I am prepared to issue a proclamation to this effect, calling on all British subjects to conform to the demand of the Chinese Government, and warning them of the risk of disregarding it, which will lead to confiscation of the vessel and cargo. This, however, it is clear, depends on the power of the Chinese to enforce the proclamation. We cannot do so in Chinese waters or harbours, and at sea every vessel carries what cargo she likes. Even should the proclamation have the desired effect of deterring merchants from sending their vessels with opium into the inner waters or harbours, the trade will go on as usual in Chinese fast-boats and other craft, and that too under the eye of, and with the connivance of, the Chinese officers, whose business it is to prevent it. Here is the great and
