Papers relating to the Opium Trade in China.
1842–1856.
(In continuation of Papers on the same subject contained in "Correspondence relating to China," presented to Parliament, 1840.)
No. 1.
Memorandum respecting Opium, communicated by Sir H. Pottinger to Commissioners Keying and Elepoo, and Governor-General Newkeen.
IT was my intention to have drawn up some lengthened observations on the subject of opium, in the hope that they might be respectfully laid before the the Emperor, but on referring to the instructions which were written under date the 26th of February, 1841,[1] to Her Majesty's joint Plenipotentiaries (Admiral
- ↑
Gentlemen, Foreign Office, February 26, 1841.
HER Majesty's Government having taken into their consideration the circumstances connected with the China opium trade, I have to instruct you to endeavour to make some arrangement with the Chinese Government for the admission of opium into China as an article of lawful commerce.
In bringing this matter before the Chinese Plenipotentiaries, you will state that the admission of opium into China as an article of legal trade, is not one of the demands which you have been instructed to make upon the Chinese Government; and you will not enter upon the subject of it in such a way as to lead the Chinese Plenipotentiaries to think that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to use any compulsion in regard to this matter. But you will point out that it is scarcely possible that a permanent good understanding can be maintained between the two Governments, if the opium trade be allowed to remain upon its present footing. It is evident that no exertions of the Chinese authorities can put down the trade on the Chinese coast, because the temptation both to the buyers and to the sellers is stronger than can be counteracted by any fear of detection and punishment. It is equally clear that it is wholly out of the power of the British Government to prevent opium from being carried to China; because even if none were grown in any part of the British territories, plenty of it would be produced in other countries, and would thence be sent to China by adventurous men, either British, or of other nations.
But the present state of the Chinese law upon this matter makes the trade illegal; and illegal trade is always attended with acts of violence, both on the part of those who are employed to prevent it, and on the part of those who are engaged in conducting it.
But battles between Chinese war junks and British smugglers have a necessary tendency to produce unfriendly and embarrassing discussions between the British and the Chinese Governments: or, at all events, to keep alive hostile feelings between the British and the Chinese people. It would Seem, therefore, that much additional stability would be given to the friendly relations between the two countries, if the Government of China would make up its mind to legalize the importation of Opium upon payment of a duty sufficiently moderate to take away from the smuggler the temptation to endeavour to introduce the commodity without payment of duty. By this means, also, it is evident that a considerable increase of revenue might be obtained by the Chinese Government, because the sums which are now paid as bribes to the Custom-house officers would enter the public coffers in the shape of duty.
I am, &c.
(Signed) PALMERSTON
