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Our camp in the Doona valley was pitched on a rising ground, which, though not sufficiently elevated above its bottom, to disclose to us the sublime scenery of the Alpine regions in front, was, nevertheless, abundantly favourable to the view of one of the most delightful prospects that occurred in the course of our journey, and the milder beauties of which I should in vain attempt to describe. must not be omitted, however, that the romantic and rural situations of some of the hamlets with which this pleasing landscape was studded, did not constitute the least striking of its charms; the soil of the nearer bills, as well as of the valley, appeared to be very rich, being, it is probable, mostly composed of decayed vegetables and decomposed lime-stone. On the eminence upon which our tents stood, there was a lofty Champah-tree, which measured in girth eleven feet, though in Bengal this is a shrub of inconsiderable bulk. The Shujh, or milktree, also called in this country Sukoor, grew here to a very uncommon size.

The valley of Doona is divided from that of Nepaul by an irregular ridge of hills of no great height, which runs across the eastern head of it, issuing apparently from that part of the Bheerbundy mountain adjoining, towards the elbow formed by the Chandraghiri and Doonabaisi mountains. In passing from Khatmanda to Patn, this ridge presented the appearance of four or five separate ranges, one rising above the other in amphitheatrical order. If they are really distinct ranges, the intervals must be very inconsiderable, the horizontal distance, even from Pisan-keel to

Thankote, across these hills, not exceeding five miles. I incline to think, however, that what seemed to be separate ridges were in fact no other than so many steps or risings of the same range, divided severally by gentle sinkings between, a physical disposition which I often observed in this mountainous region, and which always, in a certain point of view, exhibited the appearance of so many distinct hills. With regard to the western extremity of the Doona valley, I can say nothing positive, because though it seemed to be partially bounded very soon in that quarter by some low hills crossing it in a north-west direction, yet the view beyond those was, for this country, uncommonly distinct and extensive. But whatever may be the western limit of this valley, there is no doubt that one may travel hence to Noakote without crossing any hills, and, consequently, turn the west point of Koomhara mountain, by pro. ceeding occasionally through the beds of rivulets. . . . . .

The whole of the way from Thankote to Noakote (excepting, indeed, between the former place and Doona-baisi, where the descent must be rather abrupt) would seem to be a gradual declivity lying entirely through valleys and the beds of rivers, each successively lower than another, the valley of Noakote being deeper still than that of Doona. The first part of this route being westerly, the middle northerly, and the latter easterly, it is evidently so extremely circuitous, as to require several days for its performance, whereas, it is only one good day's journey from Khatmanda to Noakote, by the direct road over Bheerbundy mountain.

For the Asiatic Journal.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENT DISPUTE WITH CHINA.

The existing disputes between the Viceroy of Canton and the Committee of Supracargoes of the EastIndia Company, which the latest accounts leave unsettled, and the approaching departure of the British embassy to Pekin, naturally invite the public curiosity concerning the causes of quarrel. These are given with different circumstances, more or less favourable to the one side or the other. Upon a perusal of the following counterstatements, it appears, that the principles of general maritime and municipal law are involved in the questions to be decided; principles concerning which the reader will probably conjecture that it must be difficult to negociate with a government like that of China, at once so removed from European habits and maxims; so haughty in its demeanour, and so substantially independent on our intercourse. There seems reason even to fear, that the day may not be far distant, when the United States of America will find the means to unite their interests with the politics of China, to 'the disadvantage of England, as they have already done, and are prepared to do, with those of any enemy whom we may possess in Europe. Where should we be, if the Court of Pekin were to forbid the approach of our merchant-ships, and reduce us to receive Chinese goods through the aid of United States' bottoms?

On the one side, it is represented, that the point upon which the local government at first chiefly rested its complaints, was an alleged violation of the neutral rights of

the Chinese by his Majesty's ship Doris. Early in May, a boat belonging to that vessel proceeded to Whampoa, and boarded an American schooner lying in the river. This act was immediately impeached by the Viceroy as an unwarrantable injury, and reparation for it demanded from the Committee. The Committee, in various discussions with the Hong-merchants and the chief magistrate of Macao, urged, that they could not be in any way answerable for the conduct of his Majesty's ships, over the officers of which they possessed no sort of controul. This fair and candid statement appears to have at first produced its due effect, and to have opened a prospect of a speedy adjustment of the difference. This appearance of moderation was however of short duration. The Chinese government advanced in its demands, and addressed the Committee, in a memorial explanatory of various supposed grievances, and insisting on the immediate departure of the Doris. Its displeasure with the commander of that ship was greatly increased by a subsequent transaction, which, although adjudged by it, an infraction of neutral rights, appears to be perfectly justifiable. The Arabella of Calcutta having been captured by the American privateer Rambler, was proceeding with her to Whampoa, when she discerned the Doris, and took refuge in the harbour of Macao. The governor of that settlement, agreeably to existing treaties, ordered the Arabella to quit

violation of the neutral rights of the Portuguese limits, and sent a guard for her protection until beyond them. She was immediately afterward boarded by the Doris, when three British subjects were found on board of her. The Chinese government construed this search of a prize vessel into the capture of an American in Macao roads, and strictly prohibited its subjects from supplying his Majesty's, ships with provisions. It was fully explained to the officer deputed to investigate this affair, that the Arabella was an English vessel, captured during her voyage from Bengal to Sumatra, and that part of the crew were then on board the Rambler, by which she had been taken. To the demand of the Viceroy for the removal of the ships of war the Committee urged, that the measure could not be resorted to, without endangering the fate of many valuable Indiamen, and private traders hourly arriving in the river; which, if deprived of protection, would immediately fall a sacrifice to numerous American privateers on the station. They further insisted, that it was manifestly unjust to admit American privateers, some of them filled with prize-goods, without question or demur, while English vessels of war were excluded from all the privileges of the port. Meanwhile, the Doris, while conveying two English vessels up the Bocca, and protecting them from the attacks of four American privateers lying there, was fired at by the Chinese ships of war. Capt. O'Brien, having answered their fire from one gun without shot, and boarded the Chinese ship, demanded an explanation of this unprovoked insult. At first, no satisfactory answer was Asiatic Journ.-No. 1.

given; but the commander at length seemed sensible, that the American vessels of war ought not to ride in a situation which enabled them to intercept and take English traders while entering the river. Nevertheless, this circumstance was instantly reported to the provincial government, in terms calculated to impose on it the belief of a serious disturbance having been created by the Doris. Several representations on the subject were transmitted to Canton, but invariably returned unopened. About the middle of September, the Viceroy issued an order, prohibiting all subjects of China from entering the service of the British resident in the factory, and enjoining punishment on all persons violating this institution. In reply to this vexatious and unmanly regulation, the Committee stated that for more than a hundred years, the servants employed in the factory were chiefly Chinese, and that the factory houses were incapable of containing the number of Europeans requisite for the due performance of the various duties of the factory. These and some other representations were made in the Chinese language, and immediately after presentation returned unopened by the Viceroy, with a declaration, that he would receive addresses from the English, only in their native language. To the adoption of this practice a most serious objection presents itself; for it is evident, that the sole reason for the Viceroy desiring all papers addressed to him to be couched in English, is that he may be enabled, through the medium of false translations, to forward to Pekin partial and garbled accounts of their contents. To add to these insults, and glaring marks of contemptuous dis

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respect, the police-magistrate, acting by the Viceroy's orders, violated the privileges of the factory, by suddenly and without previous notice, entering its precincts. Imme diately after this, all intercourse between the Company's ships at Whampoa and those of his Majesty at Chumpee was vigorously enforced; boats proceeding up or down the river were stopt, and several English ships, provided with regular port clearances, were fired at by Chinese men of war. But the resentment of the Committee appears to have been roused to the greatest pitch by the seizure of a person bearing a box with the Prince Regent's portrait, sent out by the Court of Directors to his Excellency the late Viceroy of Canton, who, while in office, had distinguished himself by kindness to the English. It was by them suspected, that the Viceroy had ordered this person to be apprehended, in the hope of forcing from him the avowal of some pretended conspiracy on their part, against the safety of the Chinese empire. This conjecture does not seem ill-founded, when it is remembered, that at this time, the Viceroy contemplated an open rupture, and was willing to show that he was justifiable in adopting these measures of hostility against the English. After mature deliberation on these and numerous other instances of oppression, all of which betrayed a striking hostility to the English, and strong partiality for the Americans; and after making various ineffectual trials to be heard by the Viceroy, the Committee determined on appealing to his Imperial Majesty; and, accordingly, in the beginning of October, issued orders for all British subjects to quit

Canton within four days. These orders were however suspended, that a final attempt at adjustment might be made by the mission of Sir G. Staunton. Having failed in this, the Committee acted on their orders on the 27th October. In the beginning of November, Sir G. Staunton, who, during the whole of the negociations had acted as the representative of the Company, left Canton, accompanied by all the British subjects, the English colours and ships, and the treasure. Previously to departing, he left with the local government a sealed letter, to be forwarded to the Imperial Court at Pekin. This bold and decisive step, together with the receipt of the letter which it was unsafe either to transmit or intercept, intimidated the Viceroy; who, dreading a defalcation of the revenue and the consequent displeasure of his royal master, immediately deputed the Hong-merchants to follow Sir G. Staunton, and re-open the confer

ence.

They reached him after he had crossed the second bar, and, after producing the Viceroy's instructions, prevailed on him to return. This happened about the middle of November, at which period the written documents stop. Some important concessions were subsequently made by the Viceroy; the most momentous of which seems to be, an acknowledgment of the right of the Company's servants to write their chops, or official letters, in the Chinese language. On the other hand, it is understood, that the Committee withdrew their interference in the affair of the Chinese who had been seized by the local government, and who, it is believed, was afterward put to death. Still later advices, however, are less favour

able. An answer to the Commit

tee's memorial to the Emperor has been received, in which the English are charged with litigiousness, their commerce reproached with unprofitableness, and their departure from China pointed out as the most easy way of remedying their pretended grievances.

It is in the manner described, that the discussions are stated by the servants of the Company. But the private British traders at Canton, a third party in this case, yet not the more entitled to implicit belief, endeavour to place the subject in a different light. The following is part of a letter from a merchant resident at Canton :

Canton, Nov. 10.-Here is a business! -the whole British trade with China is completely at an end, for many months at least.. I have put off writing to you until the very last moment, that I may give you the latest and best intelligence. The Supracargoes have been negociating with the Chinese, ever since the departure of the Emma; and Sir G. Staunton, finding that he could make nothing of them, left town last night with Sir Theophilus Metcalfe and Mr. Davis, the only members of the factory that were up here. The causes of complaint and subjects of remonstrance on their part, are said to be numerous; but, I believe, none have come under discussion, as the point, on which they have split with the Mandarins, is said to relate solely to a Chinese, of the name of Ayen, that has recently been arrested, and condemned to death by the people in power here. He was formerly a servant to the foreigners that frequent this place, and was made a linguist about three years ago, and sent the season before last to Pekin, on a mission to a Mandarin who is one of the Emperor's privy-counsellors, and who, some years back, was viceroy of the province, and thought to be friendly to the English.He was there arrested, admonished, and sent back with the presents that he carried, after committing a most egregious act of folly, namely, that of purchasing

a button of high rank,* for the sum of two thousand five hundred tales, or thereabout: -this however was not known to the Mandarins at the time.-In consequence of the mission he has ever since been looked on by the Mandarins with a suspicious eye.

His arrest followed soon after this; and, on examining his house, the button that he had purchased at Pekin was found. It also appeared, that he had six wives, and twelve other women, belonging to his establishment, beside a retinue of servants, &c. wholly unsuited to a person of his low condition. He was therefore accused of keeping them for the use of foreigners. The purchase of a button, by a person that has ever been in a menial capacity, is a high crime according to the Chinese laws; but, beside this charge, there were others of a treasonable nature brought against him; such as obtaining copies of official papers from the public records, and giving them to the English -crimes that it is said have been fully proved, and for the commission of which he has forfeited his head. The Committee, I believe, set out with demanding that he should be delivered up to them; but, finding the Mandarins determined, and knowing that their grounds were untenable, soon changed them, and required that they should give a chop or writing, stating that he was not to be pnnished in consequence of any concerns with the English. This the Mandarins would not consent to do, and the result is that they are at variance.-The Committee stopped all the Company's trade from the first, and prevented all countryships, as well as those of the Company, from coming higher up than Lintin and Chumpee-during the negociation the business of the ships at Whampoa has been occasionally interrupted by the Chinese-but, three days ago, a Mandarin was sent down to board them, and say, that the trade was open to them, and all others that chose to come there, and conduct themselves in conformity with the Chinese laws and customs. The port is certainly as free now to all nations as it ever has been ; and the Company's people might trade if they liked, but say they will not, unless the Chinese give in

A ball or button, attached to the cap, is an honorary part of the Chinese costume,

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