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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at|http: //books .google .com/I J ■■ ■ ^ IP i% CHINA; POLITICAL, COMMERCIAL, AKB SOCIAL; IN AN OFFICIAL REPORT TO HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT. BT R. MONTGOMERY MARTIN, Esq., LA.TX HSR MAJXarr's TRBAfVRXR VOX THE COLONIAL, CONSULAX AND DIPLOMATIC 8XXTICKS IW rHXKA ; AND A MXMBBX OP HEX MAJKSTY'R LXOISLATIVE COUKCIL AT HONO KOVO. VOL. II. LONDON : JAMES MADDEN, 8, LEADENHALL STREET. MDCCCXLVII. LONDON : BftSVSTXR AND WSBT, PRIMTKKB, HAND COUBT, DOW6ATE. CHINA; GEOGRAPHICAL, POLITICAL, COMMERCIAL, AND SOCIAL. CHAPTER I. BRITISH INTERCOURSE WITH CHINA, SINCE THE REIGN OF QUEEN ELIZABETH ; DETAILS OF THE RECENT WAR, AND TREATIES WITH ENGLAND. Ths finite capacity of man, and his consequent fallible judg- ment, render experience a safe guide in mundane affairs, particu- larly in national intercourse, for the character and ruling motives of a nation are less liable to change than those of individuals. If then we find, that in the intercourse of China with foreign coun- tries for more than 2000 years, submission has been received with arrogance, and quiescence rewarded with oppression, that resistance has been treated with respect, and force alone procured conces-* sions to justice, — ^we have a guide,- when pursuing an upright course of policy, for our conduct towards China. The previous chapters will corroborate the truth of these remarks, and in farther elucidation of them, independent of his- torical interest, the following narrative is given of English inter- course with China, since the reign of our truly national sovereign Ehzabeth, during whose reign (a.d. 1596) we have the. irst offi- cial intimation of public communication with China. The follow- ing is a copy of a tetter from Queen Elizabeth of England, to the Emperor of China, a.d. 1596. * '* Elizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England, France, and Ireland, the most mightie Defendresse of the true and Christian &ith, againste all that falsely profess the name of Christ. '^ To the most high and sovereign prince> the most puissant VOL. II. B 2 QUEEN ELIZABETH TO THE EMPEROR OF CHINA. governor of the great kingdom of China^ the chiefest Emperor in those parts of Ajria, and the islands adjoining, and the great monarch of the oriental regions of the world ; irisheth health, and many joyfnl and happy yearsi with all plenty and abundance of things most acceptable. " Whereas our honest and faithful subjects which bring these letters unto your highness, Bichard Allot and Thomas Broomfield, merchants of the city of London, have made most earnest suite unto us, that we would commend their desires and endeavours of sayling to the regions of your empire for traffiques sake ; whereas the fame of your kingdom so strongly and prudently governed, being published over the face of the whole earth, hath invited these, our subjects, not only to visit your highnesses dominions, but also to permit themselves to be ruled and governed by the laws of your kingdom during their abode there, as it becometh merchants, who for exchange of merchandise are desirous to travel to distant and unknown regions, having this regard only, that they may present their wares and musters of divers kind of merchandise, wherewith the regions of our dominions do abound, unto the view of your highness and of your subjects, that they may endeavour to know whether there be any other merchandise with us fit for your use, which they may exchange for other commodities, whereof in parts of your empire there is great plenty, both natural and arti« ficial. We yielding to the most reasonable requests of these honest men, because we suppose that by this intercourse and traf- fiqve, no loss, but rather most exceeding benefits, will redound to the princes and subjects of both kingdoms, and thus help and eor- rich one another. And we do crave of your most Sovereigp^ Majesty, that these our subjects, when they arrive at any of your ports or any statute, law, course of our said Exchequer, or any other matter or thing, to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, and these our letters,^' &c. In 1613, the English East India Company having successfully established a factory in Japan, the want of an opening with China was severely felt, and efforts were made by the payment of large sums of money to many Chinese merchants, who promised to in- terest themselves to gain that object. The differences between the English and Dutch Companies in India and Japan, had risen to such a height, that the British government and the States-General entered into a treaty of de- fence, by which both countries bound themselves to endeavour to open a free trade with China. No part of this treaty was fulfilled by the Dutch, who were very jealous of the rising power of England. The dreadful slaughter of English subjects by the Dutch at Amboyna, and the cruel persecution which the East India Com- pany's officers were subjected to in Japan (see vol. i., p. 300) were allowed to pass with impunity, owing to the state of affairs between England and Spain. In 1634, '' a truce and free trade " to China and all other parts where the Portuguese had trade, was agreed to between the Vice- roy of Goa and several English merchants, who had obtained a license from King Charles the First (Courteen's association). By virtue of this agreement. Captain Weddell sailed for China, with letters of introduction to the governor of Macao. The details of this expedition illustrate the character of the Chinese to the pre- sent day, and are worthy of note. When Captain Weddell's fleet arrived at Macao, the Portuguese governor, so far from giving them encouragement to trade (lest, as he represented, he might offend the Chinese), advised our ships to depart. Captain Weddell, imwiUing to return fruitless after his long journey, determined to explore the Canton River ; and fitted out a barge and pinnace, with fifty men, which discovered the mouth of the river. After several days^ delay, a small boat approached the pinnace, sold them refreshments, and agreed to bring them to Canton ; they had not sailed far when they fell in with a fleet of Chinese junks, consisting of twenty sail, commanded by an ad- miral, who called on them to anchor, which they did ; some Portu- guese on board acted as interpreters. Nothing could exceed the wrath of this functionary on finding that the ^'Barbarians'^ had discovered the mouth of the river, (it appears the Portuguese were not permitted to approach Canton by this route ; probably it was the " inner passage,'^) or, as he CAPTAIN WEDDELL's EXPEDITION TO CANTON. 5 tfflmed it^ ^^tl\e prohibited goods^ and the concealed parts and passages of so great a princess dominions/^ The Chinese admiral required the English to tell him who were their pilots. The spokesman of this adventurous crew asked permission to trade on the same terms as the inhabitants of Macao. Permission was granted for three of the crew of the pinnace, to sail for Canton in a junk furnished for that purpose by the Chinese admiral. The next day^ when near Canton^ they were hailed, and a request made to return to Macao^ and that every assistance would be given to them in obtaining a license to trade. The proceedings of Captain Weddell, the treachery he experi- enced, and the concessions immediately granted from fear, are so similar to the proceedings during our late war^ that they deserve special notice. The pinnace returned from Canton on the strength of these promises ; and being satisfied with the knowledge they had ac- quired of the river, were anxious to relieve Captain Weddell from tiie suspense their long absence must have occasioned. During their absence six vessels had sailed from Macao for Japaiij which the Portuguese were a&aid Weddell would have in- tercepted : he allowed them, however, to proceed on their voyage. But instead of receiving any aid firom either the Chinese or Portu- guese^ the English were prohibited to trade, the Chinese being freed from the fear that Captain Weddell would surprise their vessels. A consultation was held by the English, and a plan of the river being laid before the captains of the ships, it was decided that the whole fleet should sail for Canton without delay. ^' Having made good passage on their way to Canton, and being furnished with some slender interpreters, they soon had speech with mandarins in the king^s junks, to whom the cause of their arrival was made known; to the request these mandarins pro- mised to lend every assistance with the prime men in Canton ; but requested a delay of six days, which was granted; and the English ships rode with white ensigns on the poops. '' Sut the perfidious Portuguese had so slandered the English, that in the night-time, the Chinese put forty-six pieces of ord- nance into the fort lying dose to the river; and after the end of four days, having fortified themselves, they discharged divers shot, though without hurt. Herewith the fieet being incensed, did disr play their bloody ensigns ; and weighing their anchors, fell up witii the flood, and berthed themselves before the castle, from whence came many shots, y^t not any that touched hull or rope. Whereupon, not being able to endure their bravadoes auy longer, . each ship began to play furiously upon them with their broadsides; mnd after two or three hours,, perceiving their cowardly fainting, the. boais wei^ landed with about oxie hundred men ; which sight jibocsa&gconed ih(Smi with ^eat distraction, instantly to abandon the 6 l^RIfi ¥RADB GRANTED TO CAPTAIW WBBBSLL. cttstle sod fly; the boaf s crew in the meantiiiie entering the same, and diq)laying his majesty's colonra of Great Britain upon the walls. The boats of the fleet seized a junk, by which a letter was sent to Canton, directed to the chief mandarins, expostulating on their breach of truce, excusing the assailing,, and withal, in fair terms, requiring the liberty of trt^e. This letter it seems was de- livered; for the next day, a mandarin of no great note came towards the ships with a white flag, the request was renewed, and certain gifts presented ; he was dismissed, but returned the same day with a junk to carry up such persons as would be able to con- clude further upon the manner of their fiiture proceedings/' The English, by firmness, gained their point; two officers, Mounteney and Robinson, proceeded up the river, and anchored close to the city walls ; and were received by officers of high rank, who granted Captain WeddeU permission for a free trade, and the liberty to fortify himself on any place outside the river. In conse- quence of this. Captain WeddeU landed the guns which he had taken from the castle. The supercargoes went up to Canton, paid down ten thousand rials as duties, and commenced loading sugar and ginger. Not many days elapsed when things took a most unfavourable turn. The Chinese delivered a protest to the commander; charged him with having forced' the trade ; two of the supercargoes were made prisoners, and seven fire-junks were floated down the river, which the English, however, avoided and destroyed. The pri* soners obtained their release by threatening to burn the town by means of a lens, which so alarmed the mandarins, that they gave them their liberty. in the meantime, the fleet at Macao hearing of the detention of their comrades, resolved to release thean. And having well manned their boats, they attacked sixteen saU of the imperial fleet, and burnt five of them, captured the town of Famou, and sailed to Canton. The affair was arranged, the Chinese authorities charg- ing the Portuguese as the instigators, whom they oondenmed to pay a large sum, which went into their own pockets. Between the imbecility of the Chinese government and the re- newed persecution of the Portuguese, the project of Courteen's association was abandoned ; although the terms entered into with the Chinese were moderate, viz. : " that for ample trade and resi- dence, the English should yearly pay 2000 taels to the Emptor, four pieces of iron ordnance, and fifty muskets.^' Throughout these prot^racted difficulties the Chinese authorities appear to have been under the control of the Portuguese, as the Chinese were not then governed by the Tartars, and were really desirous of free trade. Agreeably to an understanding entered into between the Viceroy of Goa and the East India Company, a fleet of ships was despatched to Macao, in Jane, a.b« 1637 : the supercargoes presented a lett^ STATB OF OUR CHINA. TRADB IN 1648. 7 horn King Charks to the P<»rtiigne8e Captain-genfSDRil^ who aUegad timt the eonduct of Captain W^dell the preriom year^ had snb* jected them to heavy fines from the Chinese. A.t}. 1644. The East India Company sent the ship Hmde to Macao ; on first landings our countrymen received good entertain- ment^ but were subsequently mulcted in every possible way^ and charged 3^500 rials instead of 800^ for measurement. Tlie super- oai^oes^ letter stated that the Portuguese were greatly redaoed> owing to the loss of their former trade to Japan, Manillas, fte., and that they are little better than rebels against Aeir viceroy at Goa, having lately murdered their Captam-general> and daily spilling one flnother^s blood. The supercargoes further state the effects of the Tartar con- quest on China thus : — ^* What makes things more miserable, China is wholly embroiled in eivil vrars. One of the mandarins having risen in rebellion, ia grown so powerful, that he possesses a great part of the kingdom, and is likely to command the whole. The Emperor has hung hixns^, (after slaying his wife and children). These disturbances have left Macao destitute of all kinds of merchandise, neither raw nor wrought silks, nothing but China ware, of which the bulk of the present cargo is composed.^' The state of the East India Company and of our trade in Chinaj A.D« 164B, is thus shown in a letter from the supercargoes at Ban-* tam : — '' The experiment which you desire we lE^ould make with one of our small vessels for trade int6 China, w6 are certainly in* formed by those that know the present state and condition of that country very well, cannot be undertaken without the inevitable loss both of ship, men, and goods ; for as the Tartars overrtm and waste all the iiiland country, without settling any government in tins places which they overcome, so some of their great men in China, with a mighty fleet at sea of upwards of 1,000 sail of great sAups, (as is confidently reported) rob and spoil all the sea-coasts, and whatsoever vessels they can meet with ; and how one of our feeble vessels would be able to defend themselves against such forces is easy supposed. As for the Portugals in Macao, they are fittle better than mere rebbels against their viceroy in Gk>a, having lately murdered their Captain-general sent thither to them, and Macao itself is so distracted amongst themselves, that they are daily spilling one another's blood. Sut put the ease, all these tibings were otherwise, we must need say, we are in a Very poor con- dition to seek out new dkscoveiies, while you wiU not allow us either fiictors, shipping, or sailors, scarce half sufficient to maintain the trade already you have on foot; and, therefor^ the Dutch but laugh at us to see us meddle with new undertakings, being hardly able to support the old.^' A.D. 1664. The Surai ship despatched this year to Macao, after waiting five months, reshipped the goods, as the chargeitf de- 8 TAKTAB OOVEBNMENT IMPEDS CHINA TRADE. manded were enormous, independent of the heavy exaction oi the Chinese in the form of bribes. The supercargoes reported that *' the new governors of China, the Tartars, are throwing every iw- pediment in the way of trade, merchants irom Canton are pre- vented from coming to Macao by the pirates, who take every thing before them; provisions are not to be had.'' A»D. 1670. The chief of Formosa had hitherto proved success- ful against the Tartars, and was so anxious for foreign commerce^ that he invited the English to trade in his territories, promising them an exemption from port or any other charges. The East India Company despatched a vessel from Bantam, to Formosa. The chief entered into terms which promised well for establishing a foctory and trade with Amoy. Notwithstanding the invitation and promises, when the factory was settled, and warehouses erected, the chief in the most treacher- ous manner charged duties, to the serious injury of trade, en- grossed the monopoly of sugar and skins, and acted most arbitra- rily in ey^ry respect, obtaining goods without the least prospect of paying for them, unless he got the better of the Tartars, of which he was most sanguine. He, however, promised free port^ in every place should he succeed. A.D. 1674. The ship Return was again despatched to Macao, -and-after a long stay was obliged to depart without any success. The consultation' states that ^^pwing to the intestine wars now r^ging in' China,'a2id4he consequent distress, they oijly sold eleven pieces of elotk inl'bavter, and that at poor rates .^' Abc^ thiB»yeflar'Av». 1677, a most pressing invitation was sent from th^ viceroy whoever appeared io be the seller/' A.D. 1722. The intolerant grievance was tried this year of forming the Cohong. The hoppo prohibited the inferior sier«- ehants from trading with Europeans, and oompdUed aU merefaiiuts (except the Cohong) to pay 20 per cent, on CSxina ware, and 40 per cent, on all tea sold by them. By a firm resistance on the part of the. supercargoes, this was dissolved. It was soon aseer* tained that fresh extortions and violations of the privileges granted were attempted every season. A.D. 1 723. The supercargo of the ship '^ Walpoie" on their arrival at Macao, discovered that the whole of the Chinese officials had engrossed the trade, and obliged the Chinese merchants to borrow money from them at 30 per cent, having previously pur- chased all the tea in the country, and forced the merchants to take it at their own price. By this means the merchants were mined, so that not more than two were capable of entering into a contract. The Consoo Fund, which was levied by the mere jfSo^^f the Hong merchants, was three per cent, on all goods ezeqptmg wooUens^ long cloths, iron, and cotton yam. It had long been diverted from the purposes &x wUdi it was imposed, and was of late years appropriated mH fi>llo#s: Annual tribute to the Emperor . . . £18,006 Repairing the Yellow River, to which the British had no access . . . 10,000 An agent at Peking . . . 7,000 Birthday presents to the Emperor . . 43,000 Ditto to the hoppo . . . 7,000 Ditto „ „ Mother or Wife . . 7,000 Ditto various officers . . . 13,000 Expended on Qinseng, a Royal monopoly grown Z inTartary . . . . 47,000 £152,000 A.D. 1727. Several merchants left Canton fi)r Amoy, where they were invited, and it was stated that the mandarins of that port were most anxious to cultivate trade, and free it from un- reasonable demands* April 22nd, at a consultation held this day, it was resolved to remove to Amoy, in consequenee of the ineveased taction and insolting treatment at Canton. 12 FR88 TKADB OBANTBD AT AMOT, 1786. This intention was abandoned npon firesh promises being made by the hoppo of more favonrable usage. October 22nd trade again interrupted for a considerable time^ in consequence of not being able to procure tea^ from some combination among the Natives. A.D. 1730. The 10 per cent, imposition amounted this year to 16,000 taels, every efifort was tried to have it reduced or abolished without success. A.D. 1732. The French^ Dutch, and English made a remon- strance against the unjust taxes, the 6 per cent, and the 10 per cent. Nothing obtained but promises, as it was said the Emperor received a portion of the taxes. A.D. 1733 and 1734. The consignments this year from England having failed, endeavours were made to relinquish the presents to the hoppo (1,950 taels) according to a former agreement; but without effect. A.D. 1735. Inferior silk being attempted by the Chinese to be passed off, caused a representation to be made to the viceroy, who answered that for such trifling circumstances he should not be disturbed in future, by strangers coming into the city, which was not allowed. The supercargoes threatening to go to Amoy, the mandarins made great promises, and reduced the Cumsha of 1950 taels per ship, to a nominal sum. A.D. 1735. This year another attempt was tried at Amoy, &om the promises held out by the mandarins upon anchoring in the outer harbours ; but it could not be ascertained what duties would be charged. When the covid or cubit was brought, it was found only eleven inches in length, instead of 14|; 1,250 taels were required instead of 504 for measurement, which was accepted, with an addition of twenty per cent, to the hoppo. The ships had no sooner broken bulk than the old system was reverted to, and a spy of their own placed within the factory, to take account of all goods sold; the ships' guns were required to be given up. At length a representation reached the Yan, as he was called, who promised to rectify the misconduct. After a few weeks delay a grand "chop'' arrived firom the viceroy of the province, dirteting that the English should be allowed foil liberty to trade ; and stating that by a decree of the Imperial grand council, published four years previous, the mandarins of Amoy are expressly enjoined not to demand a duty of seven per cent.' fbrmerly paid there by European ships ; it being hoped tiiat by i^s concession, they might again be induced to resort to Amoy to trade. Notwithstanding this, the imperial wishes were frustrated l^ the conduct of the hoppo and others, who were "full of delays and pre* varications, denying one day what they had promised the 'pne* eOHMODORE AKSOM VISITS CAKVON. 18 vioiis/' The result was^ that after several weeks delay the ships departed without disposing of any part of their cargo. A lesson was learnt from the edict published at Amoy^ that the cabinet of that time was well disposed to commerce, and to the removal of any obstacles that were brought under that cognizance. The difficulty felt at all times was to find means of communicating with the court on the subject of these extortions, committed by the very parties who were the regular channels for the transmission of petitions. A.D. 1736. Keenlung, who ascended the throne this year, re- voked the ten per cent. : for obtaining which, the governor de- manded 30,000 taels, but it was considered that this privilege was obtained through the influence of the Jesuits at court, as the French and English had joined in petitioning against it. An advance of 6,000 taels was given to Chinese functionaries to obtain the privUege of retaining the arms and ammunition on board our slups ! The Emperor Keenlimg, laid down a maxim that should be acted on by the local government of Canton, in order to intimi- date Man-Ee, that is '' fierce barbarians,'' viz. : that ** life for life should be required, without any regard to the extenuating cir- cumstances which the Chinese laws admitted when Natives only were concerned.'' Thus it appeared to be necessary to bridle the ferocity of the Man-Ee, by laws more sanguinary than are re- quired for the Natives who are within the pale of civilization. One of the many modes adopted by the Chinese authorities, in Canton, to continue and perpetuate their extortions, was to piniLrii severely any Native who taught Europeans the language. This was obviously lest their complaints should reach the court. So that the corrupt local authorities have poisoned each successive Emperor against every foreigner without distinction. These mis- representations have never yet been effectually exposed. The subsequent years from 1736, are not marked with any par- ticular event. Commodore Anson's arrival off Canton, in 1742, to obtain some provisions, gave occasion for fresh demands. Pro- visions were readily promised, on condition of measurement charges being paid for her, which was instantly refused. The Commodore was not to be trifled with : he proceeded up the river, and anchored near the custom-house. No provisions ar- riving according to promise, the Commodore, in company with the English, Swedish, Dutch, and Danish supercargoes, demanded an audience of the viceroy. A dreadful fire breaking out about this time, the Commodore's seamen rendered most signal services in extinguishing the flames. Through this means an audience was granted, when, as usual, promises were made ; but nothing beyond supplies, and permission to repair the '^ Centurion," were obtained. A.D. 1747. The exactions and impositions were this year i?e- newed, notwithstanding the Emperor having abolished them, and 14 CR1NB0B iMPEiaOK MR. FtlKT VOft THEKB YEARS. BO audiietioe eould be proeured, to represent them in tbte proper quarter. It was not until instructions were receired from London to retort to the old method of satisfying official rapacity^ that trade WBs renewed m 1760. A.n. 1754« Such were the extortions and grievances this year, that the East India Company gave directions to open a trade at Lhnpo. On this coming to the ears of the Mandarins at Canton, there were ae usual, promises ; but no written answer was giyen to their numerous applications. A.n. 1755* The fair promises were performed in the true Chinese mode, by confining the whole trade to Hong merchants^ and excluding small merchants and shop-keepers. A.D. 1761. Mr. Pigou, one of the supercargoes, suggested an embassy to Peking, with a view to renew the trade to the north. Mr. Flint was app(Hnted^ and was fiayourably received at Ningpo and Chusan. It soon appeared that the Chinese authorities at Canton were nnfavourable, and it turned out that between them a sum of 20,000 taels was sent to the officers about the court of Peking, and an edict was proeured which confined the trado to Canton. Mr. Flint was urged to depart from Ningpo, without either goods or provisions. He was forced to sail against an unfiivoura- ble monsoon, but instead of steering for Canton, he directed his course to the mouth of the Pieho, and from thence sent a petition to the Emperor at Peking. This petition reached the throne, and an enquiry was set on fbot, the hoppo of Canton was dismissed, and several impositions unlawfutty exacted, Were taken off. The British ships were in fu« ture to be called Western Ocean ships, not '^ deviPs ships.'^ On Mr. Flint's return to Canton, his presence was required by the Isondtock (viceroy). The supercargoes of all nations accom- panied him into the city, thinking, as they were given to under- stand, that new orders were about to be issued. On their arrival art the gate of the palace, their swords were taken from them } they were then forced into the viceroy's pre- sence, and hesitating to pay homage, were actually thrown down on their faces. The Isonstock then called Mr. Flint, and read the Emperor's order for his banishment to Macao, for three years, and' then to leave the empire for ever. This punishment was inflicted on Mr. Flint for going to Limpa, (Ningpo) and the Native who wrote his petition was beheaded. Mr. Flint was kept in close confinement for three years, viz. : to 1762, and the English quietly submitted to this injustice. A.n. 1760. The East India Company sent out a Mr. Skottowe, and it was to be given out that be was brother to his Majesty's Under Secretary of State. The object of this mission was to obtain the nslease of Mr. Flint, and a redress of the- many grievances with' which the trade was burthened; This mission effected nothing. INSULTING J.STTE& TO THS KINO Of ENGLAND. IS not one of Hie points'urged being conceded ; on the eovktnty, the authorities became more insolent than ever. As an illiistratioiii it may be stated that in a letter firom the governor to bis Britamuo Mfgesty^ they commend the king to take Mr. Flint> and keep him in safe custody ; as his nation was drenched with the waves of im- perial favour^ and therefore should leap for joy. A.D. 1765. The insult to the king's letter^ and the gross ijijus^ tice done to Mr. Flinty paved the way for fresh extortions this yeax. On the arrival of the king's ship "Argo/^ the hoppo insist^ on measuring her, which was not resisted with that fimmesB which was so successful in Lord Anson's case. After a fruitless discussion which lasted four months, the king's ship was measured. The alternative of paying for the ship or quitting the country, was most pompously proposed ; but hitherto it was the supercargoes who used to threaten to leave the port of Canton. This new policy was the consequence of having all the other ports dosed^ and tamely submitting to repeated insults. A.i>. 1771* This year the Cohong, or committee for regulatang aud fixing the prices at which all goods should be sold and pur* chased, was abolished, at an expense to the East India Company of 100,000 tads. Yet we find that in 1779, this instrument of extortion was in full operation under a new name, Consoo Fund, the histosy and origin of which are as follows : — The enormous sum of 3,808,076 Spanish dollars^ became due in a comparatively short time to British subjects, without ajiy hopes of being able to recover the same. All efforts failing to recover any portion of this just debty the case was laid before the Madras government, who dispatched Cap- tain Panton, in one of his Majesty's ships, to urge payment. The Captain had instructions from Admiral Sir E. Vernon, to insist on an audience with the viceroy of Canton. It was not without threats from the British Commander, thai the audience was granted. The arrangement entered into> was- an acceptance of ten shillings in the pounds (wUtwut iniere$tj, as a composition to be paid within ten years. Captain Panton had no sooner departed, than the Consoo Fund was established. And thus this lawM debt having been first reduced one half, was then to be discharged by a fresh impost on European commerce^ which was continued up to a re- cent period. A.D. 1773. This year the first judicial murder by the Chinese offidals was perpetrated on a foreigner, named Soott, against whom not a particle of evideniQe was produced. \A^M. 1780. I The preiQedent made in the former case by the go- veip;imenttOf Mi^caOj was this lyear followed by the French, who su^p^d^ed A Erencbmauj who had killed a Portuguese in a fray. 16 EN0LI8BMAN SUBBBNDSRED TO CHIMS8E. The Frenchman was forthwith strangled by order of the Foo-yueir, or Chinese viceroy^ without any trial. A.n. 1784. The English were the next to suffer, and the gun- ner of the Lady Hughes, who was the innocent cause of a Chiniu man's death, when firing a salute, was surrendered to be murdered. The recital of this case would only perpetuate the record of our disgrace. The late Dr. Morrison, in his remarks on homicide in China, states : " that during the 1 1th moon of the 18th year of Keen-lung, (a.b. 1749), the governor of Canton reported to the Emperor, thi^ he had tried two foreigners, who had caused the death of two Chinese, and having sentenced them to be bastinadoed and trans- ported, had to request that, according to foreign laws, they might be sent to a Chinese "settlement.^* ''The Emperor's reply was, that the governor had acted contrary to law ; that he shoula have required ' life for life.' ' If,' he adds, ' you quote only our native laws, and according to them sentence to the bastinado and transportation, then the fierce and unruly dispositions of the foreigners will cease to be afraid, it is incum- bent to have life for life, to frighten and repress the barbarians.' " As homicide affects the Chinese, it stands thus : — '' 1st. Killing with intention, punishable by death ; 2nd. KiDing by accident, a mulctuary offence ; 8rd. Killing in lawful self-defence, not punish- able at ail." (See page 154.) '' Of late years," said the above author, '' the plan adopted by the Chinese, in cases of homicide, has been to demand of the fellow- countrymen of the aUeged manslayer, that the guilty person should be foimd out, and handed over to the Chinese for punishment. This is in effect to constitute them a criminal court." (See this fully illustrated at page 412). " Were a man to be delivered up by the individuals thus called upon, he would be regarded by the government as already con- demned. His punishment, painful experience tells us, would be certain." We never ought to have permitted the execution, or even trial of an Englishman by the Chinese. " For very many years," says Mr. M'Farlane, " no such thing as an execution of Franks, by Turkish law, had been seen in the Levant, where offenders are given over to their respective consuls> who take into their own hands their punishment, if the offence be light, or send them home to be tried by the laws of their own coun- try, if serious." The state of affairs at Canton, about the period referred to, is shown by the following communication from the East India Com- pany's supercargoes, to the Court of Directors, dated, a.d. 1780. " Foreigners are not here allowed the benefit of the Chinese law, jiQr have they privileges in common with the natives. They are INSTRUCTIONS TO LORD MACARTNEY IN 1795. 17 govemedl merdj by sach roles as the Mandarins for the time being declare to be their will ; and the reason why so few incon* Teniences happen from irregularities^ is that the o£Bcers of the go- Temment on such occasions^ rather choose to exact money from the security merchants^ compradors, &c., than use rigorous mea- sures from which they gain nothing. Their corruption^ therefore, is the foreigners' security/' If a manly spirit did not exist among the British authorities at Canton, to prevent the surrender of an innocent fellow-subject to be strangled by the Chinese, an examination of the effects pro- duced by Weddell and Anson would have found an apology for refusing to sacrifice the gunner of the ' Lady Hughes/ The im- positions, insults, and oppression which all foreigners have since that period been subjected to, can with certainty be traced to our mean and unchristian conduct on this^occasion. Events of a similar nature have been compromised by bribing the Chinese judges^ in order to obtain a favourable decision ; no farther judicial murders appear on the records. A.D. 1784. The subsequent period, down to Lord Macartney's embassy, is marked with fresh impositions ; the supercargoes ap- pear to have lost all traces of even that portion of firmness which distinguished some of their predecessors. In proof, about this period commenced the novel tax upon the provisions consumed by the Company's servants. The Bellona was obliged to pay duties on a full freight^ although she took away none, and was on her re- turn compelled to dispose of her whole cargo to the hoppo's private friend. It was found useless to remonstrate^ as the slightest demur was sure to bring on a suspension of the trade. A.D. 1791. The late Lord Melville, President of the Board of Con- trol, saw the serious injury to our commerce from having only one port open in China, the monopoly of the Hong, and the arbitrary oppression under which British subjects were kept by the local authorities. To amend this state of affairs an embassy to Peking was proposed. The following excellent instructions to Lord Macartney, a.d. 1795, if then carried out, would most probably have saved us an inglorious and expensive war, and the hazardous position in which we now are, after submitting for fifty years to gross impositions, insults, and extortion : — 1st. " That merchants be allowed to trade at Chusan, Ningpo, and Tien-sing (the port of Peking.) 2nd. " To have a warehouse at Peking for their goods, as the Russians had formerly. 3rd. '^ To grant some small detached unfortified island near to Chusan, as a magazine for unsold goods, and a residence for those who had charge of them. 4th. " A similar privilege near Canton, and certain trifling in- dolgenoes. TOL. II. c 18 SHBA88Y OF LORD MACABTNST TO CHINA. 5tli. '' To abolish the transit duties between Canton and Macao, or at least reduce them to the standard of 1782. 6th. " To prohibit the exaction of any duties from English merchants^ over and above those settled by the Emperor's diploma, a copy of which is to be given to them for their information.^' A.D. 1799. The details of the embassy of Lord Macartney are well known ; the points sought were not gained, but the advan- tages derived from the mission and the valuable presents of 1795, were a general reduction in the expenses of the supercargoes' re- moval to and from Canton ; a stop was put to the interfering in the allotment to the several Hong merchants of the Company's business : — the Consoo Fund, however, still remained ; goods con- tinued to be unfairly weighed by the hoppo ; and the country ships to be unfairly measured ; undue charges were made on the transfer of stores from ship to ship at Whampoa ; and the exorbitant ship- ping charges remained as usual. The want of proper interpreters caused the embassy of Lord Macartney to be placed under the designation of " tribute bearer." Since that period only are the English styled the " Red-bristled Barbarians," which circumstance has given rise to the suspicion that the interpreters attending the embassy, headed the paper as the petition of the '' Red-bristled Barbarian Tribute-bearer." The recent translation of a Chinese court journal, styles this embassy as paying tribute, which proves that such an impression has been made. In China, above all other nations, words and ceremonies are things, and as well understood as they are in the west. Nothing appears to have occurred in the beginning of the pre- sent century that requires any remark. During the war the visits of Her Majesty's ships were necessarily frequent, to convoy the homeward bound fleets, and a tacit consent was obtained for them to anchor near Canton, and procure provisions. The sums paid for this " gracious condescension " are not recorded. A.D. 1805-6. An exchange of letters and presents took place between the King of England and the Emperor of China. ♦ The following is a copy of the answer of the Emperor of China :— ^' Your Majesty's kingdom is at a remote distance beyond the seas, but is observant of its duties, and obedient to its laws, be- holding from afar the glory of our Empire, and respectfully admir- ing the perfection of our government. Your Majesty has des- patched messengers with letters for our perusal ; we find that they are dictated by appropriate sentiments of esteem and veneration ; and being, therefore, inclined to fulfil the wishes of your Majesty, we have determined to accept of the whole of the accompanying oficring. " With regard to those of your Majesty's subjects who, for a long course of years, have been in the habit of trading to our em- pire, we must observe to you, that our celestial government regards all persons and nations with eyes of charity and benevolence, and ENORMOUS BRIBES TO CANTON MANDARINS. 19 always treats and considers your subjects with the ulmost indul- gence and affectum ; on their account^ therefore^ there can be no place or occasion for the exertions of your Majesty's goyemment/' The arrogance of this letter^ is on a par with its assertion of our people being treated with '' indulgence and affection/' A.D. 1806. Mr. Manning, a gentleman of great attainments in various sciences, through the East India Company, endeavoured to obtain permission to proceed to Peking. Mr. Manning pre- sented a petition, offering his services as astronomer and physician, agreeably to an edict which had been previously issued, that the Emperor was in want of such persons. The answer to the petition was that his offer of services to the Emperor could not be accepted nor even communicated to his Majesty. A.D. 1807. A quarrel arose between the East India Company's sailors and the Chinese at Canton, Their commander succeeded in getting them into the Company's factory ; but the Chinese fol- lowed them in great numbers, continued throughout the day throw- ing stones at the factory, and at every European passing. En- durance had reached its limits, the sailors made a sally on the Chinese, and unfortunately killed one man. Blood for blood was demanded ; the identical person could not be fixed on ; the former surrender of an Englishman named Sheen, was then pleaded. Captain Rolles, the senior captain, and the supercargoes, were animated with a better spirit, and although the trade was stopped for two months, it was again re-opened at an expense of dESOjOOO, which was paid in bribes to the Chinese authorities at Canton. A.D. 1808. We committed a mistake in occupying Macao with a detachment of troops from India, in order to prevent its occupa- tion by the French, then in possession of Portugal. It ought to have been known to the Bengal government, that the Portuguese were then mere tenants at will, paying an annual rent to the go- vernment of China, and in a great measure subject to Chinese jurisdiction. Had the French taken possession of Macao^ as was apprehended, British aid would have been required by the Chinese government, in return for which we might have obtained a better position in China than even our present state. After a discussion for several weeks, a stop was put to our trade ; at length Admiral Drury, who commanded the expedition, having declared that his instructions did not prevent him going to war with China, an edict of the Emperor on the subject was made the pretext for withdrawing the troops. This circumstance was magnified in Chinese style by the viceroy, and the people geilerally beheved that our retreat was from the feac of Chinese prowess. A.D. 1810. When the homeward-bound fleet wais ready to de- part for Europe, the death of a Chinese occurred. Bvidence was pubUcly taken before the officials, who could not identify any one person with the crime : nevertheless, the clearance (chop) was re- c2 20 SIR Q. STAUNTON S AND SIR C. METCALp'S FIRMNESS. fased^ but after some delay, and a displaj of finnness on the part of the commander of resorting to force^ the '' chop '' authorising departure was granted. The southern coast of China had been infested with pirates. The chief sufferers were the Portuguese, who had their smaU ves- aels frequently plundered. Though some British subjects were at the time prisoners with the pirates, no means appear to have been taken to exterminate them bj the East India Company^s super- cargoes. The Portuguese tendered their services to the Chinese government ; but the Chinese resorted to the usual method, viz. : granting to the leader abundant favours, and to the followers abso- lute amnesty. Two chief pirates and upwards of 8,000 of their fol- lowers, surrendered. A.D. 1811. Application was made by the hoppo for a passage to Europe of four Italians who had been twenty-five years in the Emperor's service at Peking. Seven Europeans still remained, as their services could not be dispensed with in making up the calen- dar, to which the greatest importance is attached. This year the trade was again stopped through the arbitrary conduct of a new hoppo. It was two months before commerce was renewed ; the delay would have been much longer, had not the chief member of the factory, Mr. Roberts, died in the meantime. This objection to an individual member of the Company's factory was resisted with becoming firmness, and subsequently met the approval of the local authorities. A.D. 1814. His Majesty's ship '^ Doris" captured an American ship at sea, and brought her to Macao, which caused a suspension of business from April to December. The celestials could not, or would not, comprehend the distinction between His Majesty's ship and those of the East India Company. Endurance appears to have reached its limit at this period, on . the part of the East India Company ; but two men were at the head of the Company's affairs, who resisted oppression and insult as far as was possible. The viceroy issued an edict prohibiting the employment of Native servants by the factory, although it had been customary to do so for 100 years. To carry out this edict, the officers of government unceremoniously entered the factories^ and seized their servants, during the compulsory residence at Macao of the select committee. October 21st, 1814. Sir G. Staunton and Sir T. Metcalf pro- i^eded to Canton ; Sir George stated to the authorities, '' that he was charged by the committee with several communications of im- portance, but m none of them was any thing proposed for them- selves, more than the prosecution of a fiair and equitable commerce under the protection of his Imperial Majesty ; that they entertained every disposition to obey his laws ; that they sought for no innova- tions, nor were desirous of interfering in any affairs of government in which they were not concerned." Other interviews took place with the viceroy on four subsequent CONCESSIONS MADB TO SIR G. STAUNTON. 21 occasioiis ; but on the last, the 29th of October, the viceroy fidl- ing to deter these spirited men, suddenly retired, which left no alternative to Sir G. Staunton, but to carry his threat into execu« tion ; he immediately quitted Canton, ordered all the Company's ships from Whampoa to the second bar, and likewise desired that all British subjects should quit Canton. The 12th and 14th of November, deputations of Hong mer- chants visited Sir George Staunton, and requested him to suspend the order for the removal, adding that they were authorized to state that the viceroy would depute a mandarin to discuss the points in dispute. Sir George no sooner returned, than Howqua informed him that no mandarin would be sent until the trade was resumed. Sir George in strong language showed his indignation of this breach of faith, on the part of men who were the accredited organs of communication between the British merchants and the government of China. Firmness on this> as on all former and subsequent occasions, had the desired effect. The interview took place on the 19th, when Sir George, ver- bally and in written characters, submitted eight propositions, which it is unnecessary to give in detail, as their being partially compUed with, shows they were too grievous for even a Tartar government longer to inflict. The 29tb brought a communication from Howqua, (the farce of pretending to send to Peking was not resorted to this time), as follows : — 1st. '^ Permission given to address the government in Chinese through the Hong merchants, without the contents being inquired into. 2nd. '^ The use of offensive language not very satisfactorily an- swered. 3rd. '' The local magistrates not to visit the factory without giving due previous notice. 4th. ^^The communication by boats between Canton and Whampoa to be open and bee as usual. 5th. ^'Natives may be employed as coolies, porters, tea-boilers, cooks, and in other similar capacities. 6th. '^ Ships of war to remain at their usual anchorages while the slups are at Whampoa, but when they depart the ships of war to depart. 7th. " Boats to receive passes at certain stations.'^ I cannot better illustrate the evasive character of this govern- ment, than by giving the 8th proposition and the reply. 8th. " That the Chmese armed boats be not permitted to continue to fire at the country ships*, and that English prize goods be not sold by the Americans at Whampoa/^ • Country ships were those arriving from British India. 23 LOIIP AMHSBBT'b BMBASSY to PEKING. Beply to the 8th. '' The country ships have been fired at as due notice to the Bogue Fbrt" A.D. 1816. It was resolved by his Majesty's government to send an embassy to the Emperor of China^ under I^rd Amherst. The objects were the removal of the capricious and intolerable proceedings which the local government of Canton had for a long time past practised towards the Company's representatives there^ by which they had seriouslv interrupted the ^JTairs of the Com- pany ; and that in future tne Company's trade should be placed on a more secure and equitable footing. The embassy embarked at Spithead^ on the 8th February, 1816, and arrived at the imperial province of Chih-le, on the 10th August. They were met at Tsien-tsing, the port of Peking, on the Pieho river, by an imperial legate, when the discussion soon commenced as to the performance of the Ko-tou. In the first discussion it was asserted that Lord Macartney com- plied with the ceremony ; this was firmly denied by Lord Amherst. The legate then artfully intimated the injury the trade at Can- ton might suffer, bv the ambassador not performing the ceremony. The preconcertea plan for preventing the embassy succeeding, was fully evidenced in the first day's journey towards Peking, by the legate stating that the band would not be allowed to proceed, but that it should retiu*n to the ships, stating that it was the Em- peror's orders ; although it was impossible he could have been made acquainted with anylhing that had hitherto transpired. The journey to Peking was made as uncomfortable as possible, by the perpetual discussion concerning the performance of the ceremony. The second day Lord Amherst was again pressed, and he con- sented to perform the ceremony, provided he received an under- taking on the part of the Emperor, that any subject of his Ma- jesty deputed to England, should be ordered to perform the same ceremony to the British sovereign. This was not satisfactory, and the boats were ordered to return. The following day it was proposed that a rehearsal of the ceremony should take place in a puolic manner. This was objected to, but a written obligation was offered that it should be performed on the former terms. This proposal was instantly entertained, the written imdertak- inff procured, and the boats ordered to proceed towards Peking. The remaining progress of the ambassador was marked with gross rudeness on the part of the Chinese attending-officers. The embassy was ordered in an insulting manner to depart from Peking without seeing the Emperor, and the treatment which it experienced was illustrative of Tartar arrogance and barbarism. The embassy was conveyed to Canton in imperial boats, with colours flying, on which were inscribed the words, ^' tribute bear- INSULTS TO BRITISH EMBASSY. 28 er«/' in order to huiniliate the English and elevate the Tartars in the eyes of the Chinese. A letter from the Emperor of China to the Prince Regent^ con- tains the following insolent observation : — ^* Hereafter there is no occasion for yon to send an ambassador 80 far^ and be at the trouble of passing over mountains, and cros- sing seas f' and in a vermilion edicts written on paper of that colour by the Emperor himself^ is the following passage^ " / there- fore sent down my pleasiare to expel these ambassaetors, and send them back to their own country, withoid punishing the high crime they had committed.** The treatment of the Embassy on its journey from Peking to Canton^ is noted by the Right Honourable H. Ellis^ who says : — *' Many of the retinue of the embassy returned as they went, in carts ; the motion was bearable until we came on the paved road, when the jolting became intolerable : it was repeated dislocation of every part of the frame ; each jolt seemed sufficient to have de- stroyed life, which yet remained to undergo the dreadful repeti- tion. The elements combined with the imperial displeasure to annoy us, the rain fell in torrents ; not however, so violently as to deter the spectators from indulging their curiosity, by thrusting lanterns into the chairs and carts to have a full view of our per- sons. I certainly never felt so irritated in my life.'' A.D. 1816. The East India Company's ship ' General Hewitt,' arrived at Lintin the 12th of September, after leaving the embassy on their way to Peking. When application was made to load her with tea, it was refused, and she was ordered to remain at the second bar ; to this, the select committee intimated their intention of ordering the Hewitt to Whampoa, and requested the removal of the war-boats by which she was surrounded, to prevent bloodshed; they reminded the authorities of the solemn convention entered into two years previous, which had been violated by addressing a chop to the linguist, and not to the select committee, which the president refused to receive. The delicate situation of the committee on this trying occasion, would excuse their temporizing policy, there being then a British ambassador at the imperial court ; a circumstance of which every advantage was taken by the crafty rulers. The 24th October, their respectful addresses being refused by the hoppo. Captain Jameson was sent by the committee to the city. This brave seaman forced his way into the city, and delivered a letter to a mandarin of dis- tinction. The viceroy next day, signified his displeasure at visit- ing the city, but no other answer was given. Their comprador had been accused of aiding the captain in his visit, and was beaten, and tortured in a most cruel manner, as a warning to barbarians. This transaction fully confirms the supposition, that the defeat of the embassy was concocted at Canton ; and the excuse of send- J ^1 24 CAPTAIN SIB X. MAXWELL AT CANTOlT. ing to Peking for permission to load a vessel belcmging to tli« company^ which only accompanied a tribute bearer^ was obviously to gain time. The Court of Directors '^ considered that the whole of the conduct of the viceroy, subsequent to the arrival of the Ge- neral Hewitt from the northward, sufficiently evidenced that some- thing had occurred at Peking, in relation to the embassy, which that mandarin felt to be so detrimental to the interests of the English, as to encourage him in an open and undisguised opposi- tion to the factory on every occasion/' The instructions inculcated " the utmost moderation and temper,'^ which meant, '^ submit to any degradation so that our interests are upheld/' Captain Maxwell arrived firom the Peiho, on the 16th, in His Majesty ship ' Alceste/ and had an interview with a mandarin, who promised to obtain permission from the viceroy, to admit the ship within the Bogue (or " Booca Tigris,'' the entrance of the Canton waters), provided he waited five days. Captain Maxwell waited at Lintin one day after the time fixed, but the ^ Alceate/ being much in want of provisions and repairs, the captain weighed anchor, and sailed through a flotilla of war*boats, which com- menced firing on him, although the captain only claimed the pri- vilege granted to His Majesty's ship ' lAon^ in 1793, on a sinolaar occasion. The frigate had no sooner weighed than a signal was made from the flotilla; lights were displayed at the forts, and a brisk can- nonade from upwards of ninety guns was commenced. One shot fell on board the Alc€$te, and two or three others lodged in the bows of the ship. The Alceste poured a broadside into the forts, on which the lights quickly disappeared. The forts on the lar* board hand, on which the guns could not be brought to bear, con- tinued firing without any serious injury. This becoming conduct of Captain Maxwell proved highly beneficial to the trade, and for the future the viceroy learned to distinguish ships belonging to Hia Majesty from those of the East India Company, The affair was hushed up by the Chinese authorities, who said merely that some men were " apoUed,'' (wounded). Great respect was paid to Captain Maxwell, as had before been the case with Commodore Anson^ and with Captain Weddell, and as wiU always be the case with a people like the Tartar rulers of China« The communications that took place about this time, between the Marquis of Hastings when Governorrgeneral of India, and the Chinese Government and their Tartar commissioners, relative to Nepaul or Nipal, deserve notice, as we shall soon again be brought into more active intercourse with that country, and it appears that the Goorkha Eajah is claimed by the Chinese Gro- vernment as a tributary in subjection to China. Hana Bahadar, the ruler of Nipal, abdicated the throne in favor of his son, retired to Benares, and incurred a consir derable debt to the British Government whilst residing there. CBINC^l COmmEBVONBBMCB THROUGH NIVAL. 25 He entered into a treaty with them for its liquidation, and for the r^idence of a British officer at Katmaadu. Captain Knox was appointed resident at the capital of Goorkha in 1801, but only re- mained about three years. Previous to hostibties between the British and Nipalese autho- rities, some territories in dispute were submitted to arbitration. After an investigation by commissioners of each nation, the award was in favour of the British ; but still the Oooikha rajah would not surrender the lands he had usurped. It became necessary to send an armed force to establish British authority. The rainy season set in, and the troops had been but a short time withdrawn, when on the 29th of May, 1814, three of the police-stations were at* tacked by the Ooorkhas ; the British officers driren out, and e^hteen of our people killed. The Bajah of Oooridia at the eleventh hour was disposed for* peace, but his General Umr Sing, (probably a Sikh) writing firom his camp, exhorted his chief to prefer a ^orious struggle even to death, rather than consent to a treaty, and suggested the propriety of appealing to the mighty Emperor of China for aid. Several appeals it is said were made to the court of Peking, on the grounds of resenting the insult that had been offered to the supre- macy of the Emperor in Nipal by the British. In one of those solicitations to the Emperor of China, His Ma- jesty was told that the attack on Nipal is only a preliminary step to the invasion of Bootan, Tibet, and China. Another appeal asked for a sum of money by way of loan, to maintain the Goorkha iurmy, and strongly urged lus celestial majesty to send a force of 200,000 Chinese troops, through the Dharma territory, into the lower pro- vinces of Bengal. '^ Consider,^' says the Bajah, '^if yon abandon your dependants, that the English will soon be masters of Lassa.'^ (Tibet.) The channel of oommunication between the court of Peking and Nipal, was through the Chinese officers who are stationed in Tibet. It subsequently appeared that all appeals were suppressed, and never reached Peking, somewhat after the manner of our appeals to Peking for redress. A communication was sent to all the neighbouring powers^ including the Chinese, from the Governor-general of British India, cautioning them against aiding the enemies of British rule* The Chinese officers became alarmed, and at last sent one of the Nipal appeals to Peking (twelve were suppressed.) The Emperor is reported to have been highly indignant at the tone and language of the Marquis of Hastings in his cautionary address, and exclaims, '^ these English seem to look upon them- selves as kings, and upon me as merely one of their neighbouring Bajahs.^' Three Chinese officers were dispatched to the seat of war, to institute enquiries ; and a large army was sent after them. 26 MARQUIS or UASTINQS AND THS CHINIBB. These officers addressed a letter to the Gbvemor^general of India, through the Sikhim Rajah, who was a faithful ally of the British Oovemment. This address commenced with the charges that had been made against the British by the Ooorkha Bajah, and continues, ^' such absurd measures appear quite inconsistent with the usual wisdom of the English ; it is probable they never made the declarations imputed to them ; if they did, it will not be well. '^ An answer should be sent as soon as possible, stating whether or not the English ever entertained such absurd propositions : if they did not, let them write a suitable explanation to the tseang- keun, that he may report to the Emperor/^ The Governor-general in his answer entered very fully into the real facts of the case; and appealed to the intelligence of Chinese officers, to judge of the truth of such a measure by the justness of it. In conjunction with this explanation the Lama and Sikhim Bajah, perfectly satisfied these Chinese governors (as they styled themselves in their address.) A cessation of hostilities had in fact taken place before their arrival ; but the treaty had not been completed. By this treaty it was intended that a British resident should be stationed at Katmandu. This salutary measure was deemed very objectionable to the Goorkhas, (it is so to all faithless governments) and an application was made to the Chinese commissioners to use their influence to prevent so dire a calamity, but the fact was these gentlemen were too happy to be enabled to return to their sovereign, and probably tell him that the celestial army had the desired effect of frightening the barbarian English into terms. But still, in this distant dependency of China the '' dignity and awe-inspiring influence of the celestiid monarch,'' must play the braggart. Peace had happily taken place, and a conference was agreed upon between the Nepaulese sirdars and the Chinese com- missioners, to discuss the hard terms imposed by the British. On the approach of the sirdars to the commissioners they fell on their knees, from which position they rose by an order. Portraits of former sirdars were brought forth by the Chinese, and only one of them corresponded with the sirdars present. The Chinese commenced by asking, ^' Where are your Pundys and your Parsarams fled to ? And who are these Thapas (Bramins) that we never before heard of?'' The Chinese now pretended to be quite enraged, and said, ^^ You are a set of rascals : you have been always playing tricks, and have been the ruin of many Bajahs. You once plundered Shigatsze (Tibet,) without provocation, and then you went to war with the English. Why did you commit a breach of faith ? You have received your punishment ; you first wrote to us of war having been commenced ; and then you made THE KMPSRO& TO THE QOVERNOR-OENERAL OF INDIA. 27 peace; and now you ask us for aid. What kind of peace is this ? But you were never to be depended on.*' The reply was, " If you cannot afford us aid, give us a letter to the English that will induce them to leave Nipal.*' The Chinese said, ''The Com- missioner has written to inform us that they sent their resident with your consent ; and as to what you have stated, about the English intentions on China, that is false. '' You Gorkhas think there are no soldiers in the hills but what are in Nipal. Pray at what do you number your fighting-men ? and to what amount do you collect revenue? The former I sup- pose, cannot exceed two lakhs.'* The answer was, that the number of their soldiers was about that mentioned by the commissioners, and that their revenue amounted to about five lakhs of rupees per annum. '* You are then,'* said the commissioner, " a mi^ty people 1 " It was then intimated to the Nipalese mission, to take leave. Presents to the amount of 20,000 rupees were made to the Nipalese. Both parties were dissatisfied with the British resident at Kat- mandu, and mutual distrust was engendered by each. So that in a short time the Nipalese applied to our agent for advice and aid, ^ould the Chinese Government menace their territory, of which they were then very apprehensive. In a short time after this, a letter and presents were sent to the Grovemor-general of India from these commissioners, stating the high degree of satisfaction they had derived from the candid ex- planation of the Governor-general ; their dispatch continues ; '* His imperial Majesty, who by God's blessing is well informed of the conduct and proceedings of all mankind, reflecting on the good faith and wisdom of the English Company, and the firm friend- ship, and constant commercial intercourse which has so long subsisted between the two nations, never placed any reliance on the imputations put forward by the Goorkha Bajah.^^ The Emperor thus wrote : " You mention that you have stationed a vakil in Nipal ; this is a matter of no consequence, but as the Rajah, from his youth and inexperience, and from the novelty of the circumstance, has imbibed suspicions, if you would out of kind- ness towards us, and in consideration of the ties of friendship, withdraw your vakil, it would be better; and we should feel grateful to you,'' The Governor-general in his reply pointed out the necessity of such an officer at head-quarters, and wholly attributed the late war to the absence of such a person ; and proceeded to say, *^ The habits of the borderers both of the Nipalese and the British terri- tory, are rough and violent, hence frequent outrages ; but if there were stationed at Katmandu any accredited agent of the Emperor of China, to whom this government could with confidence recur upon all matters of dispute arising between it and the Nipalese> we should be relieved from the necessity of keeping a resident afe a considerable expense. As the case actuaJly stands, the presopc' S8 8IB JAMBS U&MBTON^S BXCBLLBNT CONDtTCT* of a British officer is the main secnritj we hare for avoiding rences : this officer will be instnieted to restrict himself to the single care of preserving harmony between the two states, and to abstain from all other interference in the int^nal or foreign affairs of Nipal/' The answer sent to this well-timed and praiseworthy endeavour of the Marquis of Hastings to cultivate good feelings^ is similar to subsequent fruitless efforts made at Canton to pifevent the shedding of blood. The last paragraph in the Gtovemor-general's letter, appears to have given the Tartars great dissatisfeu^tion^ and the answer pro* oeeds thus : " We advert/' say they, *' to that part of your letter which desires us to urgQ our august sovereign, the Emperor of China, to the appointment of a minister at Katmandu, to whom your people and those of Nipal could refer their affairs and thus prevent disagreements. Be it known to you, that the Gkx>rkha Rajah has long been a fiuthful tributary of the Chinese Govern- ment, and refers himself to it whenever oecasion requires. '^ There is therefore no need of deputing any one thither from this empire ; besides, by the grace and fiivor of Ood, His Majesty possessing the sovereignty of the whole kingdom iS China and other parts, does not enter the dty of any one without cause. If it so happen that his victorious forces take the field, in such case, after punishing the refractory, he in his royal clemency, restores the transgressor to his throne. We have not thought it our duty to represent the point to the court of China, as the matter is opposed to the custom of this empire. The frequenters of this port of Canton, can inform your lordship that such is not the custom of China. For the future a proposition of this nature should not be introduced into a friendly dispatch.^' To return to the narrative of affairs at Canton* In 1818 the Hong merchants became jealous of a large number of shop-keep- ers, who resided outside the city, carrying on a trade with the Company. Upwards of 200 of these shops were therefore shut up. This proved a manifest injury to the foreign trade, and vigorous efforts were made against this restriction without any effect. A.D. 1821. The boat^s crew of His Majestys ship Topaze, pro* curing water at Linton, were attacked by the Chinese ; fourteen Englishmen weee wounded, and five Chinese, one of the latter mortally. The trade was stopped, and the supercargoes, under the Presidentship of Mr. (now Sir James) Urmston, left Canton. The authorities, however, repented when they saw the English fleet of merchantmen pass the Bogue; they were requested to return^ and trade was re-opened^ after the Topaze had sailed. That dia* tinguished servant of the East India Company, Sir James Urmston^ deserves high honour for his conduct on this and other occa- sioos in China. He was knighted by patent for his excellent judgment and sprited demeanour in this affair. RBSISTANCS PBODVCE8 RC9ES88. 29 A.B. 1821. The ship ' Canmng' was fired into bj the forts at the Bogae, and compelled to anchor^ although she had her ** grand chop^' on board. Captain Patterson did not return the fire for this unprovoked insult. On enquiry, a kind of i^ology was deemed sufficient. A.D. 1824. The Company's ship ^Earl Balcarit^ lying at anchor, was anoyed by a covered Chinese boat, which the Captain repeat- edly warned off, and doing so, a midshipman threw a piece of wood on the mat-covering of the boat. In a short time afterwards, the same parties placed a dying man in the comprador's boat> slating that he had been killed by the piece .of wood, and demsflsding 3,000 taels as compensation, which was afterwards reduced to 350 dollars. The Chinese authorities could not, however, shut their eyes to this novel attempt at imposition, as the man was proved to be in a dying state, so it caused no interruption to trade. There is no instance on record in which resistance to injustice and insult, has not been successful in procuring a remedy and re- dress. In 1825, James Matheson, Esq., with becoming spirit, and at the risk of his Hfe, entered the city of Canton, to obtain redress from a most grievious and oppressive tax. Merchants were not permitted to have their wives at Canton, and consequently their wives and families, of such as were married, rended at Macao, a distance of many miles. To pass from Canton to Macao, or vice yersk, the {chop) permis- sion cost from 300 to 400 dollars, besides about 40 dollars boat- hire. Previous to this the merchants had repeatedly petitioned for rehef from this iniquitous tax, but no notice was ever taken of their eomfdaints. However, their social miseries became too great for endurance, and a few merchants (the first and most pro- minent in this hazardous step Mr^ M.) rushed into the city to the viceroy^s house, stated their grievances, in a firm manner becoming British freemen. After the usual bombast and bluster- ing, the tax was abolished, and no chop required for the future. The " barbarian ringleader^^ (Mr. M.) had a gentle intimation (the mandarin passed his hand round his neck) that he ought to lose his head; but with great presence of mind, Mr. M. seized the linguist, and twice repeated upon him the same (Jack Cade) o^e- Boony. A.D. 1829* The bankruptcy of nearly all the Hong merchants, had caused a serious falling off in the trade, particularly in the Bengal cotton imports. Various petitions were sent to have the ten bankrupt Hongs^ places supplied by others, and no notice being taken of it, the sup^cargoes suspended the trade, and detained the annual fleet. This spirited move had a good effect, viz. re- duction of the port charges on each ship, to the extent of £170; several new Hongs were appointed, and the merchants who were married were allowed to enjoy the society of their wives at Canton* A.D. 1830. The important concession gained last year with 80 SNOLISHWOMEN BANISHED FROM CANTON. regard to the residence of the merchants' wives at Canton, was as usual tried to be done away with, and the Chinese intended to seize Mrs. Baynes and the other English ladies residing at Can* ton. The supercargoes on being informed, procured 150 seamen to protect their premises, who remained on duty for more than ten days, when the Hong merchants gave a written undertaking that the ladies should not be molested. Trade was still continued as if nothing was wrong. The Court of Directors howcTer blamed the supercargoes, and superseded Messrs. Baynes, Millett, and Bannerman, who had procured this important concession. The Canton government therefore took courage, and banished the English ladies from Canton at the end of the season. In fact, the sole idea of the East India Directors was the obtainment of tea and its profits ; any indignity, personal or national, would not be re- sented, lest tea should be refused, although all past experience was decidedly adverse to such ignoble proceedings. A.D. 1830. An extensive trade in opium bad been carried on for the last ten years ; at first the vessels containing the drug, ge- nerally anchored at Whampoa. An edict was now issued to expel them, and the ships moved to much safer anchorage off Lintin, in the Canton river. This had the desired effect; a report was sent to the Emperor that the opium vessels had been driven away, root and branch. The viceroy was sincere in his determination to put a stop to the opium traffic, until he discovered that the traffic was chiefly conducted by Mandarins> and the boats that were especially employed to prevent the importation^ were the carriers of the pro- hibited article. From fifteen to twenty vessels lay off Lintin, dis* posing of the prohibited drug, and with the exception occasionally of a fierce edict, no other steps were taken to prevent the traffic, as it was a source of gr^at profit to every one of the Canton officials. A.D. 1831. While the members of the English factory were at Macao, their premises were forcibly entered by the authorities, and the ground in front of the Company's factory taken posses- sion of. New regulations were issued by the Chinese government to guard against foreigners. Merchants were not to remain over the winter at Canton, but go home with their ships, or to Macao ; balances due by Hong merchants must be paid in three months, if not the foreigner to prosecute or be debarred from all claim on the government ; agreeably with ancient usuage, Native servants such as coolies, were permitted, additional officers were appointed to search foreigners on their arrival; foreign merchants not to sleep in the Hong merchants' factories, all foreign females coming to Canton will be prosecuted, and traitorous chair-bearers carrying barbarians, will be severely punished ; permission granted for three foreigners, no great number, to present petitions at the city gates ; but only on the condition that previous petitions were intercepted is the privilege granted. The foregoing fresh restrictions were F&BSH IMPOSITIONS ON THB ENGLISH. 81 resisted^ and the keys of the factory returned to the Chinese authorities^ and again sent back to them. A.D. 1832. The Court of the East India Company disapproved of these proceedings on the part of their servants^ a circumstance which soon reached the ears of the Canton authorities. The hoppo addressed the English private merchants^ Jardine^ Innes^ and others^ telling them^ their whining insolence^ in threatening to appeal to the Emperor^ was disregarded^ and that they might with- draw^ and not trouble themselves to come from so great a distance. The Hong merchants were instructed to keep these gentlemen under strict restraint^ and not allow them to '' dun with peti- tions.^^ A.D. 1833. Mr. Innes had his house nearly surrounded with fire-wood ; on a representation no more was placed there^ but in a few days the annoyance was continued. Mr. Innes waited on the hoppo^ and while in his apartments was dangerously wounded. Meither apology nor redress was offered. Efforts were made during this and the preceding year to open a trade with the northern ports of China^ but the home authori- ties at the East India House discountenanced the attempts. The attention of the Chinese government was wholly engrossed with a rebellion in the mountains. The governor (Le) of Canton com- manded the imperial forces^ of whom 2,000 were killed by the rebels. Lord W. Bentinck, then governor-general of India^ wrote a letter to the governor of Canton, detailing the injuries and insults that British merchants were being subjected to of late, and their being deprived of a landing-place for their goods at Canton, that had been for a long period appropriated to their use, and for which they were paying rent. His Lordship also reminded His Excel- lency of the insult offered to the portrait of his sovereign, by the governor of Canton forcibly entering the British factories, fol- lowed by his rabble suite, and in their presence ordering a chair to be placed before the picture of the King of England, on which he purposely sat, with Ins back to the portrait to mark his contempt of the British nation. To this temperate letter no answer was returned. A.D. 1833. From a report of a censor which reached the Em- peror, vigorous efforts in the shape of edicts were issued. The drain of silver appears to have roused the Emperor, as the censor states, that from the third to the eleventh year of the Emperors reign, 18,000,000 of taels weight of silver left the country from Canton ; and from the fourteenth year to the present (1834) more than 50,000,000, and ten from Fuh-keen, and the censor concludes with a prayer, that the " leak may be stopped.^^ The late viceroy (Le) failed in exterminating the rebels, was disgraced and banished to Tartary. A new governor having arrived, (Lu) he issued a pro- 83 lOSB HAFtlft IHBCLTED AT CANTOM. elamatioii declaring ill veasels bringing rice to Canton &ee of {Knt- charges, and permitting them to take in ca^o. Lord Napier, at tlie request of Hia Majetty William IV^ was eent out to Canton as raperintendent t£ the British trade. Tho following is an extract from Visconnt Palroerttoa's instructions. " Your Lordship will announce jaar arrival at Canton \ty letters to the viceroy. In addition to the dul^ of protecting and fostering; the trado at Canton, it will be one of your principal objects to as- certain, whether it may not be practicable to extend that trade to other porta t^ tht Chinese donmaaia. It is obvions that with a view to the attainment of this object, the eatatlUhmetU of direet communication with the imperial court at PeJdng would be fwtat detirable." x.o. 1834. During the discussion between the British goverb- nient and the East India Company, concerning their dissolution, the Chinese government at Canton declared it absolutely necea- sary, that in the event of a dissolution, a diief superintendent should reside at Canton, through whom all commercial negotia- tions should be conducted. On the arrival of Lord Napier in China, agreeably to his instruc- tions,' and the urgent demand of the government <^ Canton, a let- ter was directed to the governor iatiioating his lordship's arrival. Previous to this, intrigue had been busy at work between the Hong merchants and the authorities, the former claiming to be the medium of communication ; in this they were disappointed. Lord Napier's letter was n^ected, six special edicts were issued de- nouncing him as a " barbarian eye," and as an " English devil." Happening to arrive at night, the authorities considered his coming a clandestine stealing into Canton. Another edict stated that the " barbarian eye," must not be allowed to loiter about ; but depart to Macao, as soon as bis business is over. The following insulting proclamation was issued by the governor of Canton, on the arrival of Lord Napier in China : — " A lawless foreign slave, Napier, has issued a notice. We know not how such a dog barbarian of an outside nation as yoo, can have the presumption to call yourself superintendent. Being an outside savage superintendent, and a person in an official situ- ation, you should have some knowledge of propriety and law. You have passed over 10,000 miles, in order to seek a livelihood ; you have cume to our Celestial Empire to trade and control affairs — can you not obey well the regulations of the empire P " ''^"U presume to break through the barrier passes, going out at your pleasure, a great infringement of the rules and pro- as. According to the laws of the nation, the royal t should be respectfully requested to behead you; and expose (your head) to the multitude, as a terror to perverse tions." t, August 15th, Eonr edicts against Lewd Napier were in ABUSE OF LORD NAPIER. 38 the possession of the Hong merchants^ and seeing no chance of their becoming the medium of communication^ they tried the old plan of stopping the trade. The governor issued an edict on the 18th^ stating he had no means of knowing whether the ^' barbarian eye^' was a merchant or an officer. But in compassion, and with a view of preventing misery to the '' barbarians'^ by stopping their trade, he announced that he could bring his mind to bear it. But in no ^way would the governor recognise or learn the nature of the new superin- tendents instructions. These repeated insults, and stoppages of trade, induced Lord Napier to publish in the Chinese language " a true and official document,'^ in order to exhibit the relations between Oreat Britain and China. Lord Napier's firmness in not establishing a bad precedent, had the effect of bringing matters to a crisis. An edict was issued denouncing all Natives, who would trade or serve the English barbarians either in Macao or Canton, which had the desired effect. The governor of Canton dispatched a lengthy document to the Emperor, wherein he relates the new state of affairs, and that he had given notice for one responsible person to be stationed to superintend the trade j that a " barbarian eye" had arrived in a ship of war, with a crew of 190 persons, and also that he had a family, wife and children, all settled in Macao. The governor then proceeded to say, " I, your Majesty's minister, have ordered him to communicate with the Hong merchants. The barbarian eye would not see the Hong merchants ; but presented a letter to me; on which was written 'the great English nation/ It appears to me essential to keep apart the central and the outside (people) and what is of the highest importance is a mainte- nance of dignity and sovereignty. Although he may be an officer (the truth of which I cannot ascertain) he cannot write letters on equality with the frontier officers of the Celestial Empire. And as to presenting letters concerns the national dignity, it is only petitions that Moll be received on matters connected with com- merce. Again considering that he was stupid and unpolished, having come from without the bounds of civilisation, I had the laws explained to him, but he is stubborn, perverse, and extremelj obstinate. It was hoped that, by the truth and severity of reason, his brute-Uke fierceness might be reformed. But the barbarian would not peruse the official edict. *'A third time I consulted with your Majesty^s minister Ke; and ive came to the conclusion that the common disposition of the English barbarians is ferocious, and what they trust in is the strength of their ships, but should he provoke us he will be power- less ; it is manifest, care must be taken in order to break down their minds to submission. S4 DEATH or LORD NAPIER AT MACAO. '' The Hoppo's receipts from the barbarian English has not been more than 600,000 taels, and the loss of this does not affect the imperial treasury the value of a hair or a feather's down. But these barbarians are by nature insatiably ayaridous, and the more indulgence shown to them the more overbearing do they become. In 1808 and 1829 their trade was stopped ; they humbly supplicated. This is clear proof that the said nation cannot be without a traffic with the central land, their country exists by commerce^ so they will not continue perverse.^' The document is of considerable length, full of misstatements calculated to mislead the Peking Government, and demonstrates the evil effects of a timid and vacillating policy on a people like the Chinese and their government. On this as on other occasions, they were not unwilling to lose the profits of the Canton trade, but they also feared the effects of its stoppage on the poorer classes in Canton. In a memorial to the Emperor about this time from the viceroy, he says, ^^ in Canton there are several hundred thousands of poor unemployed people, who have heretofore earned their livelihood by trading in foreign merchandize. If in one day they should lose the means of gaining a livelihood, the evil consequences to the place would be great.'' 1834. Every effort was tried by Lord Napier to obtain an inter- view with the governor of Canton, either personally or by letter, and the only answer ever given was by designating his lord- ship 'laboriously vile.'' No means of annoyance that it was possible to conceive but were given to the new commission. August 1st. — The excellent Dr. Morriscm died. September 7th. — H.M. ships " Imogene and Andromache," in passing Anson's Bay were fired on. The firing lasted two days ; and the loss on the side of the British was two men killed, and some trifling damage to the rigging, although the Chinese had 115 guns mounted, and the frigates were not 200 yards from the Bogue forts. 19th. — It was mutually agreed between the British merchants and the Hong merchants, that Lord Napier should retire to Macao, and that the trade should be resumed. Notwithstanding his lordship's dangerous state, with regard to his health, every impediment, delay, and annoyance w. ere thrown in his way on his journey to Macao, where he died from fatigue, climate and anxiety (oh llfea October, in the forty-eighth year of his age) much respected by alt who had the happiness of knowing him. Mr. John Francis Davis having succeeded the late Lord N^ier, wrote to the Home Government, stating his objection to an em- bassy to Peking. Mr. Davis, a native of India, had been aU his life at Canton, of a recluse habit and small mind, and was totally unfit, for acting on European and statesmanlike views. A proclamation was issued by FORCE OV ARMS ONLY MBANS OF ADJUI&T^rENT. 35 the ^v^rnof of Gamton^ cautioning the Hong mercbants against aiding the foreigners in vice, and ruining the morals of the people. The proclatnation attributed the most (hHous crimes to the English, in order to low^ them in the estimastion of the people. November Ist^^— Aii imperial edict, directing the Hong mer* chants to have a letter sent to England to cause another superin- tendent to be appointed, in accordance with the old regulations, althoi^h the authoriti)0s had reftised to receive or recognise Lord Napier. A. D. 1835. The ship 'Argyle^ from Bengal, in stormy weather was driven on the Chinese coast ; the captain sent twelve of his men to procure a pilot; the boat and crew were taken possession of, and a sum of 500 dollars demanded for their restoration ; two of the parties actually arrived at Canton to receive the amount. The boat and crew were captured on the 21st January, and no time was lost in acquainting the authorities with the whole cir- cumstance. Captain Elliot and others, were grossly insulted in presenting a letter stating the facts ; this letter they would not receive, but its contents were verbally intimated, and it is supposed to be acted on, foat the men were restored on the 20th February. February 23rd.— -Several tons of chests of opium taken from smugglers, were publicly consumed. In proof of the necessity of an EngUsh ship of war to protect our commerce, it may be stated that the English barque Tkrougkton was plundered within fifty miles of Macao, and the captain and crew dangerously wounded. This occurred on the 5th July, 1835. No one was punished by the Chinese. A.n. 1886. The last year passed off quietly. The superintendent writing to Lord Palmerston congratulates his lordship on the suc- cess of his quiescent policy. The superintendent rejoiced to say that every thing manifested a state of uninterrupted tranquillity and peace. This letter is dated December 10th, 1836. It was the (»lm that precedes the storm. On 29th January, 1836, Sir G. B. Bobinson in a letter to Lord Pafanerston, stated that it was most desirable to establish the commission in Canton, but that he believed it impossible to do so in an honourable and satis&ctory manner, except by force of arms« Sir George proceeded to say, '^the Chinese have but one object; that is, to prevent our establishingourselves permanently at Canton.'' February 8th. — ^Captain Elliot concerted measures to recover the crew of the Argyle. July 22nd.— ^Lord Palmerston's letter to Captain Elliot advised him to hold no communication with any but officers of the Chinese government, aaid that on no account should his written communi- cations with the Chinese government assume the name of petitions. December. — Captain Elliot having succeeded Sir G. Robin- son as chief superintendent, endeavoured to open a communication with the Chinese authorities, by making use of the Chinese n 2 86 ADMIRAL HAITLANP ARRIVES IN CHINA. duttaeter Pin as a superscription* This character in the Chinese language^ intimates that the writer is inferior to the person written to. It was sent to the Hong merchants to be forwarded. This address drew from the governor a pnblic document ordering Captain EUiot to depart to Macao, and await his further pleasure. A.n. 1837. The governor of Canton permits Captain Elliot to return to Canton to hold the reins otforeiffners. February 7th. — Captain Elliot writes to the home government that certain British merchants have been ordered to quit China on account of their trading in opium. April 1837. The governor of Canton endeavoured to have Captain Elliot's communication sent open through the Hong merchants. The very plausible pretext, was lest the new super- intendent would use improper words, and be ''puffed up with his own imagination.'^ Captain Elliot made a firm stand against this new attempt, and was successful. His conduct met with the approbation of Lord Palmerston, who ordered him to discontinue the word '' Ptn'' in future. From the frequent piracies in and about Canton and Macao, it was necessary to have one or more of H.M. ships of war con- venient, to be in communication with the superintendent. 29th September. — ^The local authorities of Canton impose a duty on Captain Elliot, which his powers would not permit Iiim to perform, viz., to drive away all merchants and merchant vessels dealing in opium ; the vessels were anchored out of his jurisdic- tion, aiid according to the edict of the governor had permanently anchored at Whampoa, Lintin, and other land-locked places since the year 1821. A.D. 1838. Admiral Maitland arrived in Her Majesty's ship, Wel- lesley, 74, and Captain Elliot addressed the governor of Canton, acquainting him with the peaceful visit of one of Her Majesty's ships, and requesting the governor to send an officer to visit the Admiral. July 28th. — During this correspondence a Captain Middlemist was proceeding from Hong Kong to Canton, in the Bombay passage-^ boat, and was fired at several times from the batteries, and at last boarded by a mandarin, who said he was in search for Admiral Maitland, his women, or soldiers. August 4th. — The Chinese Admiral addressed a long complaint against Captain Elliot to Admiral Maitland, stating, '' that as the Captain had discontinued in his letters the word (pin), ' humble address,' and substituted (skusin), ^ letters of intelligence,' his communications were rejected. The motive of these war-vessels coming to the Celestial Empire was demanded." August 6th. — Chinese officials were sent on board the " Wel- lesley," to disavow in writing all sanction of the Chinese Admiral, ns to the firing on the Bombay, in search of Admiral Maitland. TRADE or CANTON Rl^-OPENKD. 87 The British Admiral stated^ that as the trade was open^freqnent visits of British war-ships would arrive in China with peaceful intentions. December 12th. — An attempt was made to execute a criminal in front of the European factories ; this gross insult was met with be- coming spirit^ and prevented ; but not without a riot. December 31st. — Captain Elliot resumed his correspondence with the Chinese authorities, and took on himself the responsibility of using the character Pin. A.D. 1839, January. — The trade of Canton re-opened to fo- reigners. A proposition for legalising the sale of opium, rejected by the imperial council. February 26th. — ^A Chinese accused of dealing in opium was strangled in front of the foreign factories. All the foreign flags thereupon, were hauled down. Captain Elliot sent a remonstrance against this insult to the governor of Canton. March 1 8th.^ — Two edicts were issued, reqidring all the opium in the store-ships to be surrendered, and bonds to be given by the owners that they would never bring any more, on penalty of death. Three days were given for a reply. 21st. — ^All foreigners were forbidden to go to Macao ; communi* cation with Whampoa was cut off, and the factories surrounded with soldiers. 22nd. — Mr. Dent, (the largest holder of opium) was invited to go to the city gates ; after due deliberation a compliance with this request was deemed unsafe. 24th. — Captain Elliot demanded passports. Provisions were stopped, and a triple cordon of boats placed in front of the factories. March 26th. — Captain Elliot received commands from the chief commissioner Lin, to deliver over all opium in the possession of British subjects, which he consented to do, viz. : 20,283 chests. — (See chapter on the opium trade). May 23rd. — Up to this period, Europeans were detained in their factories at Canton. May 24th. — Captain Elliot retired from Canton, leaving not more than twenty-seven foreigners behind him. The Anne Jane, was the last British ship in port, she completed her cargo and sailed for England. Captain Elliot had declared that he would use all his influence to prevent ships entering, and on the other hand. Commander Lin, was most desirous that vessels should enter, provided their owners would sign a bond never more to bring opium. June. — The long delayed edict arrived, authorising Commander Lin to destroy the opium, and his Majesty was pleased to say that, '^ this affair has been. extremely well managed/^ The prefect of Canton gave a receipt for the whole amount, viz. : 20,283 chests. September 5th. — The following notice was addressed to the Chinese people, by Captain Elliot, in order to manifest his peace- ful intentions : — 88 ACTION WITfi THE CBXM£8S fUET. " The men of the En^ish natum desire nothing but pieace ; bat thef cannot submit to he poUcmed aad starved. The imperial cruisers they have no wish to molest or impede ; but thej must not prevent the people from selling. To deprive men of food is the act only of the unfriendly and hostile/' September 11th. — Captain Smilli of Her Majesty's ship Yolage^ issued a public notice (^ his intention to establish a blockade of the river and part of Canton. November 3rd. — ^An action took place off Chuenpeei in which twenty-nine junks under the command of Admiral Kwan^ were dis- persed by two of our frigates^ who might have destroyed the whole of the junks. Such of the British merchants as bad retired to Hong Kong, in a merchant vessel, were cannonaded firgm the op- posite mainland; they therefore retired to Tonkoo bay, and Liatin anchorages. A.D. 1840, January. — ^The chief portion ci the British subjects in China, were on board vessels at the anchorage of Tonkoo^ others were with their families at Macao. Some idea of the humiliating position of the British in China may be formed, when the Queen of England^s representative was compelled to ask permission in the name of h^ Majesty, to deposit some merchandise in warehouses at Mac^o, upon paying the duties ; '' this request was refused." January 8th. — Captain Smith of her Majesty's ship Volage is- sued a public notice that he would blockade th^ river and port of Canton on the 15th instant. The 14th brought an edict from the Emperor^ approving of all that bad been done, and ordering a distinction to be m.ade in the future treati9ent between the English and other nations. As to the petty duties paid by the English, it was not to be deemed worth a consideration. Foreigners of other nations were ordered to be submissive, bat if they sheltered or protected the EOiglish, or conveyed them or their property into Chinese harbours, their pun- ishment would be great. March. — The Portuguese commerce with Canton, which had been stopped some months previousi for harbouring English ladies and their children, was re-opened. May. — ^New regulations were issued for the port of Canton and Macao, prohibiting the importation of British prodnee or manu- facture. May 22nd. — The British ship Hellas, while becalmed was attack- ed by eight junks. The captain and crew were all wounded. June 9th. — An unsuccessful attempt was made to burn the Bri- tish fleet, by means of fire raftif. This month brought her Ma- jesty's ships '^ Alligator/' " Wellesley,'' and the steamer " Mada- gascar.'' Sir J. G. Bremer gave public notice of the blockade of the Canton river. Captain Elliot issued notice that the Queen of England had appointed high ofiQcers, to make known the true state of affairs to the Emperor of China. BEWABD3 OFFERED FOR BRITISH SHIPS AND OFFICERS. 89 Jane 30th. — ^The British expedition arrived, amounting to fif- teen ships of war, four steamers, twenty-five transports, and about 4000 land forces. July. — Proclamations were extensively issued by the Chinese authorities, calling on all fishermen to bring their wives and fami- lies to Canton, where they would be fed and protected, while they were engaged in exterminating the English. The following scale of rewards was also published, so ignorant were the Chinese authorities of our strength. For every English eighty-gun ship delivered over to the government, 20,000 dollars ; for the entire destruction of each large ship, 10,000 dollars ; for English merchant-ships, delivered, the entire cargo, except the guns and opium ; for each naval commander, 5,000 dollars ; for their slaughter, one third less ; for white English prisoners, 100 doUars ; and one fifth for their slaughter. For coloured people a reward will be given ; and the magistrate will give 20 dollars for each one coloured person killed. So little confidence was reposed in those who were to go forth to earn these rewards, that it was stipulated their families should be lefi; as a guarantee that they would not assist the English. Every means failed to arrange matters with the Chinese authori- ties ; under these circumstances, there was no alternative but to awaken the Emperor and the ministers to a sense of justice. The whole tenor of Lord Palmerston's instructions was to de- mand reparation for past injuries, and some security for the future; 80 far from intimidating the government by a display of our ships of war in the Chinese waters, for nearly two years and a half, and not until Captain Douglas, at his own expense, brought guns from Singapore^ and manned his vessel, was there any defensive means at the command of the superintendent of British interests in China. The critical state of affairs now, however, engaged the serious consideration of her Majesty^s government^ and also that of the merchants and others interested in the trade and intercourse with China. An able document, containing seventeen clauses, was drawn up by a committee of merchants in London, in 1840, and presented to her Majesty's government. The following is the seventeenth clausei and deserves notice, because it formed the basis of the treaty which was prepared at the Board of Trade in White- hall, by Mr. Poulet Thompson, (afterwards Lord Sydenham) and Mr. Deacon Hume, which treaty was sent out to China by Lord Palmerston, to Captain Elliot, for his guidance, and which was finally ratified at Nankin, as will be subsequently shown. The. treaty, however, signed in 1842, is more restrictive than these moderate suggestions in 1840. If credit be due to any for framing the treaty of Nankin, it is due to Mr. (now Sir George) Larpent, Mr. J. Abel Smith, and Mr. Crawford, as is thus satis- factorily proved : 17th. " In the future conduct of the trade it would be most de- sirable to obtain a commercial treaty with the Chinese, permitting— 40 TKAMt Oy TBBATY 8UOOBSTKD IN 1840. Int. '' Admitnon not only to Canton^ bat to certain ports to the northward^ say ^moy. Fuh-oho-foO| Ningpo^ and the Yang- che-keang and Kwan-chou, situated betweeii the 29th and 82nd degrees of north ktitude^ near the silk^ nankin^ and tea districts ; and it is on this coast that the chief demand for British woollens^ long-ells^ and camlets exists. 2nd. " Commercial relations to be maintained at these places or at Canton, generally with the Chinese natives ; but if the trade be limited to certain hongs, which we most strongly deprecate, then the government to be guarantees of the solvency of such par- ties so chosen by it. 8rd. '^ The British subjects in China carrying on a legitimate trade, shall not be treated by the government or its officials as in- feriors, but be left Aree in their social and domestic relations to adopt European customs, to possess warehouses, and to have their wives and families with them, and to be under the protection of the Chinese laws from insult and oppression. 4th. *^ That a tariff of duties, inwards and outward3^ be fixed and agreed upon by the British and Chinese governments, and no alteration be made by any mutual consent. 5th. . '* That the Queen's representative, as superintendent of the trade, be allowed direct communication with the emperor and his ministers, as well as with the local authorities ; and that he be permitted to reHde at Pekin, or at a given port, for the protection of British subjects, and the regulation of the trade. 6th. " That in the event of any infraction of the Chinese laws, the punishment for the same shall be confined to the offender ; and British subjects shall not be considered responsible for acts of each other, but each man for his own— the innocent not being con- founded with the guilty. 7th. ''That supposing the Chinese to refrise opening, their ports generally, the cession by purchase, or otherwise, of an island be obtained, upon which a British factory could be established. '' Upon terms such as these, the British trade with China, could, we think, be carried on with credit and advantage to this country ; and if force must be used to obtain them, we cannot believe that the people of Great Britain and the European community in gene- ral, would offer any objection to its exercise ; at least, we humbly suggest that the adoption of this course is worth the trial, for if it be not followed, the only alternative seems to be the abandonment of this important and growing commerce to smugglers and to piracy. ''We have, &c., (Signed) " G. G. de H. Larpent. "John Abel Smith. "W. Crawford." [See Canton Register of 23rd February, 1841, for the whole of this document]. WHITE FLAG NOT RE8YECTSD BY CHINESE. 41 The circumBtancefl attending an early encounter^ prove that the Chinese have much to learn in national intercourse. The ' Blonde/ Captain Bourchier^ was sent to the harbour of Amoj, to endeavour to hand a letter from the English naval com- mander-in-cfaiefy to the Chinese admiral who was stationed there. Fearing that the ' Blonde' would be fired on, notwithstanding her white flag^ the commander instructed Mr. Thom to draw up a do- cument in the Chinese language, relative to the use of that emblem, as understood by all civilized nations. The Chinese who visited the ' Blonde' were made acquainted with this document^ and took it on shore ; Mr. Thom, the inter- preter, was then sent to deliver the letter to the admiral, or some other officer. The officers and crew of the boat had a narrow escape, they were fired at, and the only luiswer received was " off, off/* The same scene was acted the second day, with no better effect ; no one could be found to accept of the letter, although there were only five men and boys, all unarmed, with Mr. Thom. 1840, July 2nd. In the meantime, the commander observed that preparations were makipg on shore to attack the frigate, and several large junks had been towed down from the harbour, and were being mounted with cannon and soldiers. Captain Bourchier seeing this wanton attack on a defenceless boat, got the after-guns of the frigate to command the beach, so that when the Chinese troops were just on the point of firing, a couple of thirty-two pound shot came tumbling in among them, which soon made them cease their attempt on the jolly boat. The result of their hostilities, and the cowardly attack on the boat, was that the guns of the Blonde were directed with terrific effect upon the batteries and war junks for nearly two hours ; the fort was riddled and nearly unroofed, but could not be destroyed, as it was bomb proof and well built. The attack was intended to impress on the people the true na- ture of the expedition, viz : — ^that the quarrrel was with their rulers alone, and not with them, and hostilities having originated con- cerning a 'white flag* it ought in future to be recognised as an emblem of peace. The ' Blonde' might have destroyed Amoy. She proceeded to report the circumstance to the Admiral. Our fleet proceeded to Chusan, which Lord Jocelyn speaks of as a ''beautiful harbour, the suburbs run parallel to the water's edge, and form a wharf, along which was seen a forest of merchant crafl.'' Sir G. Bremer having preceded Her Britannic Majesty's com- mi8sioners,'saLled for Tinghai the capital of the island of Chusan, on board the 'Wellesley' and demanded the surrender of the town within six hours. The summons addressed to the people stated that no injury was intended to them, but that their rulers at Canton acted improperly^ and redress was sought. The Chumpin (Admiral) and some others, visited the ' Wellesley ' ; Sir G. Bremer impressed on them the 42 OUE FLEBT ATTACK CHU8AN. necessity of yieldii^, and requested them to consider the matter well ; they promised to do so, and he gave them until the follow- ing morning to think over it. Sunday momingj 6th July^ it appeared to all on board that vigorous efforts had been making on the previous nighty in throw- ing up defences ; and a message was sent that at two o'clock, p.m. a gmx would be fired firom the * Wdlesley/ and if replied to, that would be a signal for further hostilities. The British men-of-war were lying in a line, at a distance of two hundred yards firom the wharf. They consisted of the ' Wel- lesley/ 74; 'Conway and AIligat(»r/ 28 ; ' Cruizer and Algerine,' 18 j and ten gun-brigs. At half-past two the 'Wellesley' fired a gun at the tower : this was returned by the whole line of junks, and the guns on the hill ; the shipping opened their broadsides upon the town and made sad havock in a few minutes, when the debarkation of the troops commenced. Within two hours of leaving the ships, the Madras artillery had four guns in a good position, commanding the town, and the British flag was hoisted under a salute. Evening was fast approaching, and further pro- ceedings were deferred until the following day ; but the Chinese kept up firing at intervals, until near ten o'clock at nighU To stop this, a few shells were thrown into the city, which killed the civil magistrate ; the governor, under the pretence of taking a bath, drowned himself. July the 6th. Before sun-rise it was discovered that a fire broke out in the suburbs of Tinghae, where the troops had been quartered, among some extensive stores of spirits (samshoo.) Whether the fire was accidental or malicious was never ascer- tained. It was probably designed by the authorities. The British authorities made every exertion to suppress the flames. July 7th. Admiral Elliot arrived, and his first act was to place a close blockade on the harbour of Ningpo, a large city of great trade^ situated on the mainland opposite the island of Chusan. All efforts had failed to send Lord Palmerston^s letter to Peking, and it was deemed a matter of importance to blockade the whole coast from Ningpo to the mouth of the Yangtzekang river. It was thought that in no other way could the remonstrance of the British Government reach the Emperor. In the meantime the troops found great difficulty in purchasing provisions, at Tinghae, owing to the terrors of the people. In order to furnish some insight of the policy of the Tartar government, I give as many of the Chinese official docimients as space will permit. Thefollomng is an extract from the correspondence between the Chekeang provincial authorities and the Emperor, "In a letter dated July 7th, the foo-yuen, or lieutenant-governor of this province, describes the approach of the British shipping, and principally expatiates upon the structure of the steamboats^ SIBfOaT TO THE EMP8BOK ON T&B WAR. 48 tvhich «ail agaiiiit wind nnd tide. He then meHtiont the visit of the nee-adnural to the Welleslej, and speaks of the noble stature ^f the si^iers that were seen on board. The sammons for the sonrender of Tin^iae is quoted at full lengthy and the English r&euve their fall meed of censure for their disebedienoe aind wickedness. " His imperial majestjr^ in his reply, remarks that nmvai and land fighting are bj no means the same, replying that some excnse ought to be made for ihe suddenness of the attack by powerful men of war ; still the officers in command of the island, must have lost all courage to permit the capture of the island. ^' To another receipt dated July 20thj the monareh ascribes this warlike denKmstration to the extermination of the opium traffic in Canton province and the stoppage of the British trade. He moreover directs, that his reiterated injunctions for putting the whole ooaat in a ^btdoe of defence, may be followed up, and orders that the Lieutenant-govemor, with a number of oilier officers, i^uld be degraded for their neglect and delivered over to the board of punishment. '^ The autocrat remarks, that his imperial majesty had quite antidpated such a result from the anmhilation of the opium trade, and tberef(»e iu*ge8 the most strenuous efforts to oppose an invasion. ^ To a memorial received from the laeutenant-govemor, under date of July 22nd, the capture of Tinghae is denounced as a most detestable act, though the landing of 3,000 to 4,000 men, English barbariaixs, rendered resistance impossible. "His Majesty orders, in consequence of this daring exploit, to put the navy in a proper state for making resistance, and to order other vessels to join the Ningpo squadron. It is also very probable, that these barbarians might make an attempt upon Ghinhae and other towns; the Emperor therefore, filled with apprehension, commanded these places to be guarded and enjoined Yow (a general officer of Fookeen) to exterminate the barbarians. A number of officers^ most of them Colonels, are sentenced to lose their rank and to be severely punished. The commanding general of the Ningpo land and naval forces, however, though degraded from his rank, is permitted to retain his office for a time, to gain new laurels, and to atone for his previous neglect. ^ The Tartar general and lieutenant-general at Hangchoo, the metropolis of this province, report, that being apprehensive that an attempt by sea, on the river '' Tseentang,'^ might be made upon the city, they erected forts at the mouth of it. They more- orer remark, diat the men of war of the said barbarians are strong snd the guns powerful j thus there would remain little chance for the victory cSf the imperial navy. On that account they had ordered the marines on shore to defend the country against the enemy. Tltey issued, moreover, orders to aq^iprehend all trait(Mrous 44 BMYBmOR ORDBE8 BXTBEMI NATION OP BN6I.I8H TBOOP8. natiyes. Thus prqpared, they report, they awaited the foe : on a sudden ' a man of war' (the Algerine) approached Chapo ; the lieu- tenant-govemor had guarded against her;^ and the firing com- menced on both sides; there were aboTC ten soldiers wounded and kiUedy and it was found difficult to oppose thia single vessel; under such circumstances reinforcements might arriTe and the city be taken. The commander ordered new troops to come with- out delay, and maintain the place against the invader. " To another despatch, dated August 4lih, from the fSmperor, in answer to a communication in which it was stated that an ad- ditional number of men of war had arriyed at Chusan^ the monarch expresses his great fears, and regrets that the distance is so great as to render the correspondence tardy, and blames the officers for their blunders. He orders them to wait until the garrison of Tinghae had exhausted their strength, and then to march with their soldiers to obtain a victory, but on no account to make mili- tary diversion, nor to allow the English to sneak into their har- bours. In the meanwhile he commands Yen the admiral, and Tang the governor of Fokeen, to exterminate the enemy with the forces under their command, to exercise the utmost vigilance ; and to attack any landing party. The authorities of Kwangtung and Fookeen are at the same time ordered to adopt this Une of pro- ceeding ; provisions and ammunition to be placed at their disposal, and extensive magazines to be established at Ningpo. His Ma- jesty appoints Elepoo governor of Keangnan to undertake the defence of Chekeang, with plenipotentiary powers, and again commands Tang and Yen to exterminate the barbarians.^ >9 Thefollomng is a copy of a proclamation addressed to the inha- bifanis of Tinghae by JE?., high imperial commissioner, Sfc. " Whereas in the sixth month of this year, the English men of war entered the seas of Chekeang province, and took possession of the city of Tinghae Woo ; the former lieutenant-governor col- lected the soldiers and strenuously made arrangements to guard against and exterminate them, and for this purpose promised rewards. He ordered your people to unite and seize all the barbarians, for which he would respectively recompense you; sub- sequently, I, the great minister, received the imperial pleasure that I should proceed to Chekeang ; and whilst concerting plans and consulting about measures, Elliot, the said nation^s commander- in-chief, with others proceeded to Teentsin, where they presented a petition. We, the cabinet minister and governor of Chihle, transmitted for them a memorial to His Imperial Majesty, and because the soldiers of the said nation had repaired to Chekeang on account of provocation received, and not with the intention of creating disturbance, and also the wording of the petition pre- EMFEBOR OEPERS EXTERMINATION OF ENGLISH TROOPS. 46 sented at Teentsin being very reverential and obedient^ therefore these things are pardonable. '^ Whereas the inhabitants of Tinghae city are all children belonging to the state^ and the men of war of the said nation have assaulted on the Tinghae seas in your immediate neighbourhood; it is to be feared that as soon as you are engaged with them in hostilities you could not escape the calamities of terror : therefore, Ke, the governor of Chihle, was especially appointed to repair to Canton, and to receive for a time the official seals of the governor of Quantung and Quangse, for the purpose of examining and managing the matter. '^ Orders were also addressed to me, the great minister, not to recommence hostilities. '^ Thus it is our sacred Lord^s earnest intention, to put a stop to troubles, to show his love towards the people, to regoice heaven, and to protect the world ; for which you, all my officers and people, ought to be grateful. '^ I, the great minister, have now agreed and directed the said commander-in-chief and others, to appoint some vessels for repairing to Canton, and to wait there imtil the affairs are inves- tigated and managed. ''As soon as ever the business is managed, and brought to a conclusion, the said nation wiU recal all their vessels, and not pro- long their stay at Tinghae city. '^ I, the great minister, have also ordered him (the commander- in-chief) to restrain his subordinates that they may not inffict injuries upon you. As you are not acquainted with the details, and might perhaps as heretofore, on account of the rewards held out by the late lieutenant-governor, examine and seize all the barbarians, so as to give rise to trouble and bloodshed, I therefore, especially issue these perspicuous orders, hereby addressing the same to the inhabitants of Tinghae for their information. You ought all quietly to plough your fields and read your books, taking care of yourselves and families. If, indeed, these barbarians do not distress you, you must not again search for and seize them. Each must implicitly obey this special proclamation. '' The above edict is for general information. " 1st Noviember, 1840.^' The British authorities having remained upwards of three weeks at Chusan, and in the neighbourhood, left the latter end of July, and proceeded northward with a large fleet. August 15th, the chief portion of the squadron arrived at the mouth of the Peiho. Here, without any difficultv. Lord Palmerston's letter was received by Keshen the governor of the province, and the third member of the Emperor's cabinet. The wily Tartar unsolicited gave orders to supply the squadron with provisions, cattle, &c., for which he refused payment. 46 BRITISH PLBBT AT TBI BEIBO. Ten days trera naked by Kethea to reoehre an answer from Peking, and allowed. At a snbseqoent conference between tbe British plenipotentiary. Captain EUio^ and Ketheni tbe former was outwitted by tbe in^ genoity of the latter, who considered that difficulties cocdd be better arranged at Canton, which was 1,500 miles from the Im« penal residence; the distance at which they were then situated being less than one hundred. Augnst Gth. — Macao, which was heretofore considered neutral ground, had assumed a very hostile appearance, by a large mAax of Chinese troops, and the frequent attacks on British subjects ; and the abduction of a most estimable clergyman, the Bev^VrStati- ton, caused the greatest excitement, as a price was fixed upon th6 head of every EnglishaiAn. Ererything. indicated that aft aittack would be made on Macao, and up to the IQtb aU efforts provMV in-^ effectual to obtain a release of Mr. Stanton. Captain Smith clearly perceiving that it was the intention of the^ Chinese to cut off all commnmication with Maeao^ anticipated their designs, and brought Her Majesty^s ships Lanie and HyacifSth, with the steamet Enietprize, to bear against the barrier. This was speedily answered by the Chinese from a battery of seventeen guns, on* the beach north of the barrier. A briric fire was kept Up for an hour on both sides. A »ing1e gan was landed on the beach, which soon silenced their guns ; and the landing of about 900 troops, drove the Chinese from every position, although amounting to 5,000 strong. All was over in four hours, barracks burnt, and the vessels retired to the usual anchorage. August 16. — The ten days claimed by Keshen to lay the British claims before the cabinet, were taken advantage of by the squadron to visit Mantehouria, intending to make the island of Changhdng, near the mainland on the east side of the Gulf of Leaoutung ; the object was to procure supplies of cattle and water, which they did with some difficulty^ The squadron returned on the 28th> and a conference was held on shore between Captain Elliot and Keshen ; all assumption of superiority of the Chinese, on this occasion, gave way to uarbanity, in order that Keshen mij^t more successfully overreach his ad- versary. Two days were thus spent without any satisfactory re- sult, and six days more were required for instructions from Peking. Unfortunately Captain Elliot, totally contrary to the instructions of Lord Palmerston, quitted his advantageous position at the Peiho, where he might have dictated better terms of peace than were sub- sequently accepted at Nankin. September Ist, J 840. — Pending the negotiations that were to be carried on at Canton by the new commissioner Keshen, who was to replace Lin, the squadron sailed from the Peiho for Chusan. A trnce was entered into between the British and Chinese on the 6th of November; and on -the 15th, the British plenipotentiaries sailed BRITISH FLEET RETURN TO CANTOK. 47 from Chusan for Canton, to hold the intended conference^ leaving land and naval forces at Tinghae. The British sqnadron left the neighbonrhood of Peking on the 15th of September, and on the 27th of the same month the follow- ing edict from the Emperor was received in Canton, recalling Commissioner Lin : — '' LinTsihseu. You received my imperial orders to examine and manage the affairs relating to opium ; from the exterior to cut off aU trade in opium ; from the interior your orders were to seize perverse natives, and thus cut off all supplies to foreigner*; why have you so long delayed these matters ? You have proved your- self unable to cut off this trade, you have but dissembled with empty words, and in deep disguise in your report (to the Emperor) ; and so far from having been of any help in the affair, you have caused the waves of confuision to arise, and a thousand disorders are sprouting ; it appears you are no better than a wooden image. I order that your seals be taken from you, and that you hasten with the speed of flames to Peking, that I may examine you ; delay you not. Respect this.^' The following official document, reporting the English capture of Tinghae, the capital of Chusan, shows the defenceless state of the coast : — '' Woo, the lieutenant-governor, and Choo, the Commander of Chekeang, jointly report the loss of Tinghae. I, the governor, as soon as the English wrote to the Commandant of Tinghae in a strain of seditious violence, considered the water approaches to this place, planning what could be done to defend them, have sent this report by express. I hastened to Chinhae to consult with General Chuh, and there learned that Tinghae had fallen into the hands of the English. I, the Lieut-governor, receiving this intelligence, could not prevent my hair from Imstling with angerr I also as- certained that without shifting a sail they could proceed to the mouth of Chinhae, and straight pass into the interior ; all the im-^ portant passes are so situated as to have Tinghae for their outside guard, and the opposite hills of Cheaopo and Kinke to shut in the mouth of the entrance. Choir^ the commander, dispatched 900 soldiers to guard the coasts. I sent my soldiers, 400 in number, to Chinhae. I commanded Tang, the prefect of Ningpo, to siAfc vesseta at the entrance of the river ; and drive wooden pfles in tine water, and secure them with chains. While thus planning, maijy foreign ships passed Chinhae, ffistant o«ly three or four miles. We have taken up our residence at the entrance of the river, tharty-one rebellious ships have arrived, having guns on both sides, and fore and aft ; included are two ships having wheels at their sides, which revolving propel them like the wind. They have about 5,000 or 6,000 soldiers. If we fight with them, we should have an equal number. We have only 2,000 men, and it is better not to hazard an engagement. 48 OPPICIAL RKPOmT ON L088 OT CtttTSAN. *' Fint we ought to devise some plan to wew &ui fReir^HMter^j and when our forces are ccdiected in great nnmbers, we can attaek them^ that at an appointed time, we may at once seize them tiV" The great device of all parties^ from the imperial government downwards, was to *' wear out the barbarians ;'' hence eveiy artifice was nsed to protract negotiations, and deceive us by fiedsehood and pretences. It is instructive, as regards the policy of the Tartar government, to watch the tone assumed in their edicts and proclamations. Truth seems to have been the last thing considered, the main object was to deceive the people. On the departure of our fleet from the Peiho the following imperial despatch was sent to Elepoo at Canton : — " Whereas the English, at the harbour of Teentsin, did present a communication, civil and respectful, earnestly requesting an ex- tension of favours, it seemed right to command Keshen to instruct and order, that they should not be allowed to create confusion, but only permitted to proceed to Canton to seek entrance ; so-that if they should exhibit sincerity, the said minister will memorialize in their behalf, begging for favour.'^ Now, according to Keshen's memorial, the said foreigners have attended to his instructions, and have already got under weigh, and returned southwards, having by memorial declared '^tfaat along the coast they will make no disturbance, provided they be not first fired on ; also, that one-half of their soldiers in Tinghae shall be withdrawn^ ^* These foreigners have heretofore been disorderly, albeit in some wav excited thereto, and they justly merit detestation, and ought to be exterminated. '* Now it appears that the port of Tseuen-chaw-foo in Fookeen, Chapo in Chekeang, and Tsung-ming in Keang-soo, have each with their rambliilg thunders, beat the foreign ships, and greatly damped their ardour As they have consented to come forw^d and beg for favour, it is net meet to inquire strictly into the past. '' KeshenV communication to the English, and their reply, are copied and seiit herewith for Eleepoo's inspection. Respect tfais/^ On the arrival of Keshen at Canton, he forwarded the following letter to the Emperor, at the veiy time when he was corresponding with the British authorities previous to the battle at the Bogue forts : — '' I, your minister, arrived in Canton the a9th of November, and night and day have considered and examined the state of our re- lations with the English. At first moved by the benevolence of His Majesty, and the severity of the laws, they surrendered the opium. Commissioner Lin commanded them to give bonds that they would never more deal in opium — a most excellent plan for securing fiiture good conduct. This the English refold to give, and thus they trifled with the laws ; and so obstinnte were their POSITION OF THE BOOUE FORTS. 49 dispositions that they could not be made to aubmit. Hence it be* comes necessary to soothe and admonish them with sacred instruc- tion, so as to cause them to change their mien^ and puriiy their hearts, after which it will not be too late to renew their commerce. It behoves me to instruct and persuade them, so that their good consciences may be restored, and they reduced to submission. This done, your minister will report the same by memorial. « 13th December, 1840.'' A.D. 1841, January the 6th. All reasonable prospect of peace or redress must have terminated on the appearance of the annexed proclamation from the Emperor. '^ To-day Lew has reported, by memorial^ that having gone ta Ghinhae, he made faithful enquiry concerning the disposition of foreigners, &c. Keshen has also^eported concerning the foreigners at Canton, that they appear more violent and overbearing than ever. Already our instructions have been given to all the generals and governors to increase the strength of their defences, and to be timely prepared for sudden attack. The provincial city of Chekeang is a place of much importance ; whatever measures are requisite for Ting:hae, let Lao, in concert with Elepoo, deliberate upon, and immediately return to the provincial city, and instruct the officers to make strong defences. If the said foreigners again come to present petitions, let them all be utterly rejected ; should any of their ships sail near the ports on the coast, at once let matchlocks and artillery be opened, and the thundering attack be made dreadful. There must be no wavering, so as to exhibit awe or fear. Respect this." After waiting from the 5th September, 1840, for some amicable arrangement, it was determined by the British authorities to attack the Bogue Forts in the Canton River, about twenty miles from Linton, and forty from Macao. The two outer forts are Taikok, on the west side of the channel, and Chuenpe, that is Shakok, on the east side. Both are on islands : the battery on the first is built on the S.E. point ; the other on the N.W., and above it, on the top of a hill, a small battery had been recently erected. A few miles above Chuenpe, on the same side of the river, are the batteries of Anunghoy, and separated from Chuenpe by Anson^s Bay. In the centre of the river, opposite Anunghoy^ is Wangtung ; and three miles further up is Tiger Island. AU these fortifications were well constructed, and, to the Chinese modes of warfare, invulnerable. In the possession of any European troops they ought to be as impregnable as the Darda- BcUe batteries. January 9th. — ^About eight o^clock, the squadron under the command of Sir J. J. Gordon Bremer moved up the river, being anchored three miles below the first forts. The steamers ' Nemesis,' 'Enterprise,' and 'Madagascar,' were first employed in conveying the land force ashore. VOL. II. E 50 ATTACK OX THE BOGUE FOBTS. The ' Calliope/ ' Hyacinth/ and ' Larne/ under the conunand, of Captain (now Sir Thomas) Herbert, were to proceed up the -nver, and bombard the lower fort on Chuenpe. The Queen and Neme- sis were to throw shells into the hill-£brts, and the entrenchments on the inner side of them. The ' WelleBley, with the other lai|;e vessels, took a position further up the river. The royal artillery ^uns were dragged through a winding valley for two miles, and placed where uiere was a clear view of the Chinese force, whose camp was entrenched, and flanked by small field batteries, and connected with the hill fort by a lugh breast work. In the rear of their field bat- teries were deep trenches ; some of these had been recently con- structed. The troops for field service consisted of a battalion of the royal marines, a detachment of royal artilleiy, with one twenty-four pounder howitzer, and two six-pounder field-pieces ; detachments of the 26th, 4^h, and 37th Madras native infantry, with a detach- ment of Bengal volunteers ; the whole force amounted to 1,400^ under the command of Major Pratt, of the 36th, or Cameronian regiment. Both parties seemed conscious of victory ; the Chinese seeing an advanced party approaching, welcomed them with cheers, waving their flags in the attitude of defiance, and instantly opened a fire from the field batteries, which was quickly returned by the British artillery. This was the signal for the steamers. Queen and Nemesis, to throw shells into the HU-fort. The Chinese could not long withstand the fire of the sixty-eight-pounder of the Queeny and the thirty-two-pounder of the Nemesis. On the land side, the entrenched camp was soon carried by the main body of the troops, and in less than half an hour after the assault on the fort by the steamers, the British flag was hoisted on its summit. From some cause or another, the Chinese were very slow in returning the fire from the vessels, although they were the first to fire on troops, this was according to instructions given them by the commandant. The royal marines were despatched to drive the enemy from a wooded hill which they occupied. The first entrenchment wasr now deserted ; a small party headed by Major Pratt soon reached the. hill-fort. The major, with two men, were the first to arrive, and, to their astonishment, found the Tartars at their posts, as he peeped over the walls ; one shot being fired their courage failed, they were soon flying off in every direction ; the British flag was then hoisted. During this operation, the guns On the lower fort were silenced by the ships which had been placed before that battery. The Chinese finding themselves assailed both by land and water, left the battery, and retreated towards the wooded hill, and were here CAJTIJRE OF tHE BOOUE FORTS. Sl rtfetTSj^ tie royal marines and 87th native infantry, thfit had pfc- vioiidfy takai possession of the hill. The havoe was here dreadfid, and the enemy soon overcome; only abont a hundred of tlie CMnesse troops accepted quarter. The vindictive character of the Tartars was on this occasion strikingly exemplified; a few stray Tartars, who had sheltered themselves as opportunity offered, took aim at their captors, which drew upon themselves severe chastisement. While the land forces were performing their part, the fort at Tycocktow, i.e. Taikok, was attacked and carried. The * Samarang* led the division, and, notwithstanding a heavy fire from the enemy, anchored within a cable's length of the centre of the batten-. The * Modeste,' ' Druid,' and ' Columbine' were not far astern. The broadsides from the Druid soon told on the solid masonry, and silenced the guns of the enemy; but the Chinese did not leave their posts until the seamen and marines were landed, and entering through the breach, carried the fort by storm. The en- counter here was man to man ; the Tartar soldiers for a time dis- playing courage. The deadly fire of the musketry soon damped their ardour, and as many as could escaped, and were not pursued. The guns in the fort were spiked, and thrown into the sea. After removing the wounded, the magazines were blown up. The good services of the steamers were again required to destroy the Chinese war junks at Anson's Bay. The Nemesis Jnished into shallow water, and her first congreve-rocket took instantaneous effect, blowing Up one of the largest war-junks with all her crew. Thus she continued the work of destruction until eleven were destroyed. There were no fortifications, and not a shot was fired on either side. There were ninety-seven guns in the fort and embankments ; twenty-five in Tycocktow ; on Chuenpe, forty-four mounted, and thirty-nine unmounted : eighty guns were in the junks. It is difficult to ascertain the Chinese loss in killed and wounded ; 500 are stated in one place to have been killed. The British, as in other Chinese *' battles,^* did not lose one man ! This shows that the contest bore more resemblance to a meeting of lions and sheep, than to any real danger incurred on the part of the English. In fact, the Chinese have not the instinctive courage of the meanest animal, which will defend itself against an assailant. The objects sought to be attained by our hostilities were stated in the Canton Register of the 19th January, 1841, to be : — 1st. " To obtain a recognition of the King of England as the independent sovereign of a civilized country. 2nd. " To require an apology for the treatment of Lord Napier, as coMMisstoNtiK of the King of England. 8rd. '^ Compensation Jnust be made for the losses caused to British merchants by the stoppage of the trade while Lord Napier was at Canton, and for some time after his departure. - E 2 OBJECTS 90U0HT BY THV WAB.' ./ 4tli. '' Until partienkir rokg are framed by the cfttttesi xyth^A garemmeiitS) Britifili sabjeda shall not, for any vrong lione either to maiother Boritilsh subject, or to a Chinese subject, be liable to more severe jpmrishnient than is appticable to the like offence- by the laws of iliigland. Bth. ^* No hoppo^ or other authority whatever, shall be at Hberty to impose any tax, or duty, direct or indirect, on any foreign ships or vessels, on any articles of export or import, or any boats, coolies, or other conveyance of goods, other than^or different firom, the prescribed imperial tariff. 6th. " Vessels not engaged in trade shall pay the ordinary pilotage, but no other duty or charge whatever. They shall be freely allowed to purchase refreshments, and artides requisite for repair or refit, and to hire workmen for such purpose. 7th. '* Merchant vessels shall pay shipping charges of all kinds according to their real size, as ascertained by their certificate ci registry. None of the persons engaged in supplying them with provisions or stores, shall be subject to any fee or exaction whatK ever in that capacity. Sth. '^ British subjects may take their families to any plaoe where they reside themselves, and may employ any sort of vehicle they may find agreeable or convenient, as freely as Natives. 9th. '* British subjects may visit any part of the country under passports signed by the British commissioner, and coimtersigned by the Chmese authority at the place. 10th. '^ A British subject desirous of residing for a lawful ob- ject in any part of the country, shall report himself in person to the chief magistrate of the place, specifying his lodging, but shall not thereatfter be in any way molested or controlled in his pursuits, so long as they aire ooadncted in a lawful and inoffensive manner. 11th. ^^ British ships may proceed to any port in China «t which an imperial oustxsm^houBe has been established, and land and ship goods as freely, and on the same terms, as at Canton. Should there be no British commissioner or deputy commissioner at such port; British subjects that may be charged with any offences must be sent for trial to the nearest port at which a British commis- sioner resides. ISth. '^ British traders may have boats, or other conveyanee, to carry goods from any one port of the country to a^other^ piqr- ing the same rates of transit duties as natives.'' While the? forces were preparing to odvance to tiie attack on the forts at the Bogue, the Chinese- admiral, KwaB> sought an armis- tice, whieh was grants by Captain EUiok Captain K.S. Ma^kenaie, late military, seeretary. to the oom- mahoer-in-chief, came to China " to see somie jsotual service in his profession,'' and was, as he states, sadly dislpi^oiQted. The attack on the Bogue is thus narrated by him : " At the moment the firing began, a flag of truce was observed coming to- UIS&E9&X6B)9TATIONS TO «HE. KMBSBOR. 68* ll^lttda^i;kal'^^ flagship. The boat wa8*m8ttiied by tKaold woman^ hitii^'fGnplier«orapa^on-dn*-yojage, a manof t&e lowest desorip* tidily Hfho pfk)ved to be tke bearer of a chc^ from Admind Kwan to €)si]^mii BlUotj the purport of which was to obtain a grace of three days^ to enable him to communicate with Kesbea. Ouf answer waa taken by Lieutenant Maitland^ who had an interview with the Chinese admiral, who was most civil ; and when tcdd by liieiitenant Maitland that he must desist from all further hostile prepailratioiis, replied, that he dared not wrrender the /oris, but if able we might come and take them, I leave the reader t6 imagine^ if he can, the feelings of the fleet on this occasion/' (See p. 26.) Kedien, true to his character, wrote a letter to the Emperor caicalated to mislead him. " January 8th. *' Memorial ttom. your majesty's slave ;* I have received a dis- patch from the commander-in-chief (Kwan) which states that all th^ vessels of the English weighed anchor on the 7th, and, in dis* tinct squ^drons^ attacked the forts of Shaikok and Taikok ; that the fire of the guns was kept up incessantly, and the contest sus*- tfttmed «tll around from eight a.m. till two p.m., ^ during which the ^foreign vessels fired above {ten rouncU) of cannon ; that our forces responded to the attack, till about two p.m., when some of the foreigners were seen to have fallen into the water ; the tide began to ebb) and the foreigners ceased firing, and an^ored in the middle of the stream, each «de maintaining its gvoiund/ There were four steamers which fell upon ihe wajr-jUnks, but finding the attack responded to, drew off again without having decided the eoatest* ' ^^ Your slave, Isince his aiTival, has exchanged eo]!anmnication wit^ the English; and has given tbem admonitm^' eoipmands, and, as regards what they require, he has net ibeen^ble to satisfy tlieftr rapacious cravings, still be has graiDited almeasiu^ of what tiif^ideiaauded. Some tlnnk that if thie mlMttarj^ force be mvin- taiined, that in time they will be wearied out^ ^ or, if gijanted com- merce, a restraining cordon may then be kept aroivbd what they -h«ve.' '' Whether or not our forces have suffered in this coniUot> and to what extent wounds may have been ixtfiicte^ shall' be reported with an haste as soon as asceartained.'' The £mpeik>r> in a l^ter^ toXLeshen, of 27th Jatmaary, 1841, toys : " Tl^se^ reb^Moiis foreigners, sincerl^dbr return to GWton, have been daily increasiivg* in disorderlihtes; and we have repeat- edly issued orders to maintain a well-oidered guak*d to proceed against them' oti' a fit occasion. With what care, then# did it be- come all th^ high offieears, cavil and militaay, to have arranged their •defence? 64 CAFTAIN CLLIOT's FIBST TftBAlY, 1841. '' The report from Kedien states that Shaikok and lUkok faare been taken by the foreigners ; and the government soldim» have fallen dead and wonnded^ and the naval vessek have been pltttir dered. Let the proper board take into conaideration the eondnct of Keshen. At the same time, let him have the direction of the forces to drive off or destroy these foreigners. Kwan, the naval commander, has shewn himself devoid of talent ; let his button and insignia of rank be taken from him — ^but let him, at the same tiBie, labour to attain merit, and show forth his after endeavours.^' Poor '' Admiral '^ Kwan deserved a better master; he was killed on board his own vessel, and, in the Chinese language, was said to have died ^' leaning gracefully against the mast/' The letter of the Emperor clearly shows the government were arming for a war of extermination against the English, even while professing a de- sire for peace. The result of the attack on the forts was manifested by a tean- porary bending to circumstances N OF ENGLISH. £5 &tQjitBBLiix3 the Ciimese aathorities» On the 27th Januiuy a pro- clunationifas isaued providing for the future goyemment of Hong 'K(mg ; and oa ihe very same day an imperial edict was issued^ stating that ^' A report has been received from Keshen, setting forth the attack on and capture of certain forts by the English. The rebdlioas disposition of time foreigners being plainly manifest^ /A^re remaing no other course but to destroy and wtish them dean away, and thus dieplay the majesty of the empire. Troops from Seechuen, Kangse^ and Hoonan^ in all 10^000^ were ordered to Canton/^ The report of Keshen to the Emperor, after our capture of the Bog»e fiirts at Canton^ and subsequent to his truce, is too strikingly indicative of the treachery and policy of the Tartars to be partiidly quoted i I, therefore, give a translation of this remarkable docu- ment complete. For uttering the truth in this report, of not being able to resist the barbarians — Keshen, once the Prime Minister of Ghana, was sent in chains to the capital — ^thrown into piison — ^left starving — ordered to be cut in small pieces for the fowls of l^e air, and his property confiscated 1 (see vol. i, page 133). Such is the reward of an honest statesman in China. TransUdion of a memorial, from the minister, Sfc., Keshen to the Emperor. " Your majesty's slave^ Keshen, minister of the Inner Council, and aeting governor of the two Kwang, — ^kneeling presents this respectful memorial, — ^setting forth^ how that the English foreigners have dispatched a person to Chekeang province to deliver back Tinghae, — ^how that they have restored to us the forts of Shakok and Taikok, in the {nrovince of Kwantung, along with the vessels of war and salt-junks which they had previously captured, all which have been duly received back — and how that the war-ships of these foreigners have already retired to the outer waters, — all these facts^ along with his observations upon the military position of the country, its means of offence and defence, the quality of its soldiery, and the disposition of its people, observations result- ing from personal investigation — he now lays before your im- perial majesty^ praying that a sacred glance may be bestowed upon the same. '^ Previously to the receipt of your majesty^s sovereign com- iiiand,ymir dave had, irith » yiew to preserve the territory and the lives of the people, ventured — ^rashly and forgetful of his ignoraoee— *to make oertabi conditional concessions to the English fer^gners^ proBaising that he would earnestly implore in their hehatf a gracious manifiwrt^tion of imperil goodness. Tet, having done this, he repeatedly laid before yonr majesty the acknow- ledgment of his offence^ for which he desired to receive severe pmttshmeHt. It was aubsequently.thereto, on the 20th of January, 59 k£8H£n!» »vfiw, after that these said foreigners had dispatched a per- son to Cl^keang to restore Tingha6,^-'aiid had delivered ap all that had been captured by them in the province of Kwangtung, after, too, their ships of war had all retired io the outer waters^ it so ha^ened that Elliot solicited an interview j and as your idave had uot yet inspected the entrances of the port, and the formications of the Bocca Tigris, as also the traops lurdered from the several provinces had not yet arrived, it did- not seem prudent to ^how anything that might cause suspicion oai the part of the foreigners, and so to bring on at once a oommeneement of troubles and collision from their side. Therefore- the occasion of visiting, for inspection, the Bocca Tigris, was taken advantage of to grant an interview. " Having left Canton for this purpose on the 26th of January, your slave had to pass by the Saetsze waters (the Beach from Krst to Second Bar) : and here he was met by Elliot, who came in a steam-vessel, desiring that he might see him* His retinue did not exceed a few tens of persons, — ^he brought with him no ships of war, — ^and his language and demeanour upon that ooca* sion were most respectfril. He presented a roc^h draft of several articles on which he desired to deliberate, the major pairt having regard to the troublesome minutise of commerce ; and he agreed that for the fixture, in any cases of the smuggling of opium, or of other eofttraband traffic or evasion of duties, both ship and cargo should be coiifiiScAted; Among the number of his proposals, were mme highly objecttonable, which were at the moment pointed ovt antf.refuii^i'tipon which the aaid foreigner begged that enieiidb<- M BAD STAn or TAB BOOVS POETS* tions ahonld be offered and ODnaidered o£ It has nor aopoltdiiiglj been granted hiniy that aiterations and emendatioBB be meAt, ead vhen these shall be determined oa and agreed tOj the whole shall be preaetited for your majesty's inspection, — Your sbv?e then pHTted irith Elliot. '^ He now found that the Szetsae waters were yet distant from the Booca Tigris about 60 le (or nearly 30 miles). Even there the sea is vast and wide^ with boisterous waves and foaming billows, lashed up into fury by fierce winds — ^majestieally grand 1 How widely different the outer seas are from our inland river-waters ! Having changed his boat for a sea-going vessd, your slave stood out for the Bocoa Tigris; and there arrived, he made a most eareful inspection of every fort and battery in the place. " Such farts as did not stand completely isolated in the midst of the sea» he yet found to have channels^ affording i^ady water oommuoioation behind the hills on which they were aituSted. 8o that it were easy to go round and strictly Uockade them; nor would it in that case be even possible to introduce provisions for the garrison. After this careful ijaspection of the place, the depth of water in the river, begininng here and proceedmg all the way to the very city, was next ascertained ; and the Boundmgs taken at high water, were found to be irregular, hgm one ckang (or two fitthoms) and upwards, to three and even four chang* Henee then it has become known to all, that tlMB reputation oi the Bocca Tigris as a defence has been acquired, — ^ftrst, bjr the dreumstanoe that merchant-vessels require a somewhat gr^er depth of water ; and secondly, because that in ordinary timesj when the foreigners observe our laws and restraints, they naturally do not venture to avoid the forts by passing through circuitous courses. But when they bring troops to resist and oppose rather than to obey, they may sneak in at every hole and corner, and are under no necessity of passing by the forts to enter the riv^> ^^ so can easily proceed straight up to the provincial metropolis. For as soon as they may have in any way got beyond the Bocca Tigris, there are communications open to them in every direction. It is then clear that we have no defences worthy to be called sud&. This is in truth the local character of the country, that thiffire is no important point of defence by which the whole may be maintained. ^^ In reference to the guns mounted in the forts, their whole number does not exceed some two hundred and odd, hardly enough to fortify the fronts aipne, while the sides are altogeth^ imfi&rnished. MoveQvet^ those guns that are in good order, ready for use, are not many. The original model has been bad, and they (have been made without any due regard to principles of con- struction : thus the body of the gun is very lai^e, while the bote is very small; and the sea being at that place extremely wide> the shot will not carry above half way. As regards then their num- INF£R|c9» QUALITT OF THB IMIBRIAL TROOPS. SO \^, i tihej ave j]0t so many as ace those whioh tbe ibreign diips mny^ mkd in point of qttaHt f they are bo leis jjaferior to. those on hoard Uie fareigii vessels. Again, tbe embraauras in which tiiey are fin^^ are as large as doors^ wide enough almost te aUow people to pass in and out : from a sustained fife from the enemy, thef w/9uld afford no shelter at all to our people ; and they may th^ at once be said, to be utterly ineffective. A founder of oan- non ba# recently pres^ited himself, who has already given in a DQLOdel, And is about to make some experimental pieces of artillery, Bat atould he really fiNoeeeed in pasting good cannon, yet can he esjkfy do so as 9 preparation &r the future, and in no way can he he in tinjie fpr the business we have ni»w in hand. These are the proofs of the inefficiency of oiur military armunent, which is such that mo reliance can be placed upon it. ^^ Forther« with ii^eference to the quaiUy of our troops ; we find tha they needs must meet with dis^ter and everthrpw ; yrt, seeing that the conduct a^d m^n^g^ment of the vessels is a thing with whi^b they are quite unacquainted, the services of the naval force still cannot at all be dispensed with. The reomits to the naval force of th^ province are, bowevi^r^ all supplied by its own setsv-eoaat, by enoour^ged enUst- meut ; and their quality is very irregular. YQur slave had heard a report that, sfter the battle upon the 7th of January, all these me«L went to their t^Pah (or oommander-in^-ehief), d^oaftuding of hij9^ money, under tbi^eats that they would otherwise immediately dij^band. The other day, therefoj^, when on the epot, your slave made inquiries of the tetnh on the matit^j — ^when he answered, that the report was perfectly true, and that he, having no other remedy at hand, was obliged to pawn his ielothes and other things, by which means he was enabled to give each of them a bonus of two dollars, and thus only could get them to remeua until now at their posts. Hereby may be seen, in a great measui^ the cha- raeter of the Canton soldietT:. And, supposing when we had joined battle, just %t the most cpitioal moment, these marine forces were not to 4^and firm, the consequence would be miost disas^ous. For although we should ha^e-our. veteran troops serving with them, yet these woidd have no oppoirtunity of bringMAg their skill into playr StiU fuffther, oui? shi^ of war are not large and strong, aad it is diJBI(9llt to ta^ount heavy guns on hoard them. By these ob- servations, it is evident, thi^ ouir force here as a guard And defonoe against the fosei^ieni is utterly insuffioient. ""Tour dkve has also made personal observation iX'ttie ^^hlA-i rtcter and disporiiidH of the people of this province. He lias ibund them ungrateftil and avaricious. Putting out of tiew those who are actual traitors, and of whom, therefore, it 'is un- necessary to say anything, the rest dwell indiscriminately with foreigners, they are accnstomed to see them day by day, and after living many years together, the utmost intimacy has grown up between them. They are widely different from the people of TSnghae, who, having had no previous intercourse with foreigners, felt at once that they were of another race. Lei us reverse the circumstances, and suppose that the English had craftily dis- tributed their gifts and favours, and set at work the whole machinery of their tricks, ?iere as at Chusan: and it might verily be feared, that the people whole would have been seduced from their allegiance ; they would certainly not have shown the same unbending obstinacy that the people of Tinghae did. These plain evidences of the want of firmness on the part of the people here, give us still more cause for anxiety. " We find, on turning over the records of the past, that when operations were being carried on against the pirates of this pro- vince, although these were only so many thieves and robbers, with native vessels and guns of native casting, yet the affair was length- ened out for several years ; and was only put an end to by invita* tions to lay down their arms tmder promise of security. And it is much to be feared^ that the wasp's sting is far more poisonouA now than thta. '' Tour slave has again and again resolved the matter in his an- xious mind. The conseqnenees, in so far as they relate to his own person, fere trifling / bilt as they regard the stability of the govern^ ment, and IJh^'litesbf tie people, they are vast, and extend to dis*- tant posteHl^; Should his ineui^ guilt in giving battle when unable to commkna it "victdi^; 'or shoxild he be criminal in making such arf angeolieiit* a^ d6 ' ridt taeet the gracious approbation of his so- vereign,— ^he must equally bear his offence ; and, for his life, whit is it, that he should be cared for or pitied ! " Btit if fk be in not acting so as to meet the gracious approba- tion of his' sovereign that he becomes guilty, — ^the province and the people hate yettheij* sacred sovereign to look to, and rely upon for nappintfess, protebtibn, justice, and peace. Whereas, if his guilt should lie in gitxng battle when unable to command a victory, then will the celestial dignity of the throne be sullied, the lives of the people samficed, and for further proceedings and arrangements it will be, in an increased degree, impossible to find resource. ** Entertaining these views, a council has been held of all the officers in the city ; namely, the general and lientetoaht-generals of the garrison, the lieutenant-governor; the literary chancellor, and the commissioners, intendants, prefects, and magistrates, as also the late governors, Lin, Tsihseu, and Tang TQngching ; aH ^* DESIGN, TO CIJT OFF FO&SIQVBRS IN JfVTVVLE, Qh v]^09i 9ffej^ that our defences are such as it is iiupoasiUe to trust t% and:that our troops would not hold their fpt>und on the field of battle. . Moreover^ the troops ordered from the different provinces hy your majesty having yet a long journey to ccmie, time is still ne** oessary for their arrival ; nor can they all arrive together. The assemblage of a large body of troops^ too, is a thing not to be eU fected without sundry rumours flying about,— -our native traitors are sure to give information ; and the said foreigners will previous<- ly let loose their contumacious and violent dispositions. Your slave is so woirried by grief and vexation, that he loathes his food, and sleep has forsaken his eyelids. But, for the above-cited reasons, he does not shrink from the heavy responsibility he is incurring, in submitting all these facts, the results of personal investigation, to your celestial majesty. And, at the same time, he presents for perusal the letter of the said foreigners, wherein they make the various restorations before enumerated. He humbly hopes his sacred sovereign will with pity look down upon the blackhaired flock — ^his people, — and will be graciously pleased to grant favours beyond mea&ure, by acceding to the requests now made. Thus shall we be spared the calamity of having our people and land burned to ashes, and thus shall we lay the foundation of victory^ by binding and curbing the foreigners now, while preparing to have the power of cutting tfiem off at some future period. . " It is humbly hoped that your sacred majesty wiU condescend to inquire regarding the meeting in council, and state of circum- stances, here reported. And your slave begs, that a minister of eminence may be specially dispatched hither, to reinvestigate mat- ters. Your slave has been actuated entirely by « regard to the safety of the land, and the people. He is not swi^yed by the smal- lest particle of fear. And still less dare he use ^se pretexts, or glozing statements. For the real purposes hepein declared, he humbly makes this report (which hefcxrwards by expi^ess.at the rate of 600 /e a day), — ^in the hope that it may. hei honoured with a sacred glance* — ^A most respectful memorial.'* The Emperor, in commenting on the foregoing report, says : — " Keshen has handed up to us a report. A3 these foreigners have shewn themselves so unreasonable, that all. our commands are lost upon them, it behoves us to make of them a* dreadful, example of severity .'' His Majesty then proceeds with o;?ders for troops to be collected from several provinces, and adds that "if these re- bellious foreigners dare to approach our rivers, let such measures be taken as will exterminate them. The expenses to be drawn equally from the duties arising from commerce, and the revenues diOTvable from the land-tax; if these sources do not amount to a sufficient sum, let it b^ so reported to us." In the beginning of February, the Chinese government thus announced the renewal of war ; the document was not, however, known to us for some time. KSirSWAL OV ROtTILB OPBE'ATtONS; ' 'i' ' PrmUmmtikm by the Om^emot and lAeutentmt^gwernar tf Cttnt^n. ' " KesheUy imperial commissioner and acting govfrnor of the two Kioang provincesi E, lieutenant-goremor of Canton, &Cv pro-* daim for the fall information of all the inhabitants of the provin- cial city and suburbs : — ** It is known that the audacitt and contumacy of the English rebels daily increasci until at last they have ditfed to enter the liffer^i pate and take possession of the forts, and they have also brought their warships into the river : this really makes the hair stand on end with indignation. At present aU the dangeronsr passes are perfectly well and closely watched and guarded ; and of the different difficult approaches to the city there are none at which guards are not planted ; and if the rebellious foreigners atiil dare to cause disorderly disturbances — we, the governor and lieu^ tenant-gOTernor, will in person lead on the celestial troops, and foremost in the Tan of battle, with strenuous efforts, will sweep them away — and thus dissipate the anger and grief of the people. Troops are collecting from all the provinces like clouds. The im* penally appointed pacificator of the rebels and generalissimo, yiksfum^ and his colleagues Limgwan and Yangfang will arrive immediately in Canton, and will unite to extermiiiate (the Eng- lish). This proclamation is issued on this account, and for the full information of you all; let each of you remain quiet and follow his occupation :-— there is not the least necessity for any alarm, nor do you circulate reports causing uneasiness and doubt. Oppose not. A special proclamation. 2nd moon, 8th day, (February).-'' Notwitbstandmg the crafty efforts of Keshen, he was denounced in an imperial proclamation as "weak, cowardly, and destitute of abiKty**' February the 19th. — Hostile movements on the part of the Chinese became so eonspicuous, that Commodore Bremer, deter- mined to return to the Bogue, which probably saved the lives of every Englishman in China. Februaiy 26th. — ^This day was made public a proclamation, is- sued by Eleang, the successor and friend of Lin, offering lai^ rewards for the heads of Englishmen, deader alive; this document is an exact copy of Lin's former one, with the exception that a larger bounty is offered ; viz. : 500 dollars for every Englishman alive, and 800 dollars for every one killed, provided their heads are brought in,- It should be borne in mind, that previous to this. Hong Kong was surrendered to us, and the indemnity guaranteed or paid, and nothing remained but the terms of future intercourse to regulate. PRICES 0I1T ON THE HBAB8 OV BVOUtHXSN. 6S Pr^omu^tiQfi qfihe lAeutewtrU^Govemor of Canton, qfftring rewards for the capture of Her Majesty's ships , and the heads ofEng- " J?^ lie];i}l:eiia.iit*govemor^ &;c.j isBues the foUowiDg aoale of re^ wards : — 1st ^' If the native traitors can repent of theior crimee and quit the service of the foreigners^ (English) come bef(»re the magfistmldft and confess^ their offences will be forgiven; and those who are able to seize alive the rebellions foreigners^ and bring thefti ft^fore the magistrates^ as well as those who offer np the foveignersr' headsj will be severally rewarded according to the following scale. 2nd« " The capture of one of their line-of-battle shipsy the ship and guns will be confiscated^ but all that the ship contains, as clothes, good^, and money, shall be the reward of the captors, with an ad- ditional reward of 100,000 dollars ; those who bum, or break to pieces, or bore holes through a hne-of-battle-ship^s bottom, so thai she sinks, upon the facts being substantiated shall be rewarded with 30>000 dollars ; for ships of the second and third class, the rewards will be proportionably decreased. 3rd. ^' The capture of one of the large stei»ners shall be re^ warded with 50,000 dollars ; for the smaller, one half» '^ Those among the brave who are foremost in seizing men and ships, and who distinguish themselves by their daring courage, besides receiving the above money rewards, shall have buttons (offi- cial rank) conferred upon them, and be reported for appointments in the public service. 4tli. '^ Fifty thousand dollars dsaU be given to those who sei^e either Elliott, Morrison, or Bremer, alive j and thow who brin^ either of their heads — on the fact being ascertained — shall get 30,000 dollars. . • . 5th. ^' Ten thousand dollars shall be given to those who seize an officer alive, and 5,000 dollars for each officer's head% 6th. " Five hundred dollars shall be given for every English-* man seized alive; if any are killed and their heads brought in, three hundred dollars will be giv^ou 7th. *^ One hundred dollaiW will be given for every sepoy or lascar taken alive, and fifbjr for their heads. 8th. '' Those among you who in their efforts to seive the Ei*gw lish rebels may lose their lives, on examinatioa 9£6A fvmt of th^ facts, a reward of three hundred dollars shall be given to your families. 9th. " The foreigners of every other country are respectful and obedient, and do not (like the English) cause commotions ; it is not permitted to seize and annoy them — thus will the good and virtu- ous remain in tranquillity. '' 2nd moon, 7th day, (Febuary 27, 1841). •4 .IliHEIAL IBiCTt VO EBNBW THB Imperial '' On tb« 10th day of the 2d moon, (March 2nd, 1841), at mtd- :, a dbpatdi from the great military council addressed to the rial euf oy and acting governor of the two Kwang provinces, Keahen ; the gwiend commanding in the district of Kwangchow, Ho ; the lieutenant-gOTemor of Canton, B ; the admiral command- ing*in-ohief, Kwan ; the general, Ko ; the adjutant general of the left divinoD, Yu ; and adjutant-general of the right division, Ying. *' On the 25th of the first moon (February 16th), the imperial orden were received. '' Keshen this month with haste reported that the English ships had retired to the outer seas, and that he was about to follow to examine and manage. ''The English barbarians have many times rebelled, being wavering and inconstant ; when they delivered up Shakeo, Chusan, kO; they made it a pretence for more irregularities in seeking for ■diemes of coercion. *^ I have before sent down my imperial wiU in edicts, to attack them with increased vigour and utterly exterminate them. I have moreover, ordered Yihshan and his colleagues, to hasten together on their journey, proclaim the crimes (of the English) and reduce them to subjection ; only, should the troops not be soon assembled, it will be difficult to be assured the said rebels will not again give loose to their rebellious disobedience. I order that it be the special duty of Keahen to establish pi*ecautionary regulations, and plant soldiers to guard and keep (the passes). But if he remains pertinaciously stupid without arousing himself, until he auffei's more defbatft,-^! shall hold him only responsible ; the nation's laws are already prepm*ed, and decidedly there shall not be the least favour shown to him. *' I BOdreov^r order Ho Kihtsing (the general) and Ho Ekang (the lieutenant-governor,) to respectfully obey my former orders^ and with united strength and one mind, to give strict orders at the different entrances, and to be faithful and true in guarding and watching, and let there be no thought of shirking their duty^ Bwr caffelessness. Further, issue perspicuous orders to the army and people, with one mind to guard against deceivers, and not subject themselves to the delusions of the traitorous foreigners : obey with awe, be careful-— of the orders. Send these orders on at the rate of 600 le a day to Keshen, &;c., for their full information. Respect this, and obey respectfliHy the imperial will, as formerly communieated. "To day the privy council have again received the imperial commands. " Formerly, because the English barbarians, after returning to Canton from Chekeang, again rebelled, and attacked the batte- qail9AQ'& WfVH BlfQUSH AB SIIVBE* B^ISON. ^06 ries. I especially appointed Yihihan to be the pacificator of the rebels and generalissimo^ and Lunffumn and Yangfang to be his coadjutors^ and collecting the choicest troops irom all quarters^ tl^y are to. proclaim the crimes^ (of the English) find wduoe tiiem .to sul]|}ectian. It is now authenticated that KeAen^hBA repented ,th^ tb^ English barbarians have gone forth of and giiten np Ae fojrt at Shakeo, and have sent orders to the province of Chdceaag torestcMrietiiecity of Tingkaej and he earnestly requests that I will coindescend to grant that which they pray for, and in the ipeantime not to deal too harshly with or destroy them, &c. " On reading the report, how could I repress my indignation, detestation and grief. I did not calcidate that Ke$km was so weak and cowardly, and destitute of ability, that he could at once go to such an extreme as this. Twice have the English barba- rians rebelled, in the provinces of Chekeang and Canton ; attacked the district cities, forts, and wounded my soldiers and great officers ; contact with them is as bitter poison to my people ; they have fir^ghtened and troubled my eitie8,*-^which is great and most unreasonable rebellion ; and neither all that heaven canopies, nor all that earth contains will bear with them. As to tiieir surrender of Tinghae and the forts, I shall not talk about it, for no credit can beplaqed in their words: for even should they. retreat and restore the old possessions of the empire, still the officers and soldiers who have been injured, and tJie people who have been involved in calamities, gnash their teeth ia united hostility : and both men and gods are indignant and detest tb^i9* If we do not inflict on them utter destruction and exterminkatipn^ hoiw vriU the just vengeance of Heaven be exemplified^ ai94 the migesty of the empire be manifested ? . - / ' ''Therefore I have ordered Yihsban and Imngtt^n- to travd to* gether, and hasten with the utmost speed to £!antCin; and to draw up in battle array our soldiers ^ ^ghii9 fay tbe» aoousa- tions before the court. « Macao, April 8th, 1841/' . • t, \ The following inventory of the confiscated property at Keshen, is translated from a Chinese paper :-^ *' Account of property seized by l^eimpmal government in K^- hen's houses ;— Gold, 270,000 taels weight ; sy^ee feilver, 3,400,000 taels weight; foreign money, 2,000,000 taels weight; land cultivated, thirty-nine king — a king contains 100 mow, or Chinese acres, equal to about one-third of an English acre j pawnshops in the province of Pechele, four; pawn-shops at Shingking or Moukden, two; bank- ing (or shroff) shops, eighty-four ; learge pearls, ninety-four ; strings of pearls, fourteen ; pearl lamps, eight ; arrow thumb-rings, made of the feathers of the fei tmf bird, tbirty-four; pieces of coral, eighteen; ginseng, catties, twenty-four; deers* horns, catties, twenty-five; lengths of silk, 480; broad cloth and English camlet, thirty pieces ; striking clocks, eighteen in number ; gold watches, ten; fur ^tffnents, twenty-four; images of horses, made of pre< 70 CONVI8CATION OP KE8H£N'8 PBOPBKnr. ciaiis Btoiiea^ two; images of lions^ made of precious stones^ tiro ; chrTstal wash-hand-basins^ twentjr-eight ; tortoise-shell bedstead^ one; chariots, four; female slaves, 168/' March Srd,, 1841. — Hostilities were resxuned on the part of the Chinese, firom a masked battery situated on the north-east end of Whampoa. About twenty Chinese were killed, and upwairds of twenty guns destroyed ; her Majesty's plenipotentiary was shortly afterwards visited by the Kwang-chow-foo, (Mayor of Canton),nnder a flag of true hostilities when ceased. On the 7th, the armistice granted to the Chinese having expired, the works in advance of Howqua'sfort were occupied, and Captam Elliot issued an address to the people of Canton, to show forbear- ance to the last : — " Your city is spared, because the gracious Sovereign of €hreat Britain has commanded her high officers to remember that the good and peaceful people must be tenderly considered. But if the high officers of the Celestial Court offer obstruction to the British forces in their present stations, then it will be necessary to answer force by force. And if the merchants be prevented from buying and selling freely with the British merchants, then the whole trade must be stopped. The high officers of the English nation have used their best efforts to prevent the miseries of war; und the re- sponsibility of the actual state of things must rest on 'the heads of the bad advisers of the Emperor.'' March the 13th. The Chinese fort at Macao passage, which had been lately strengthened and supported by flanlnng field- works, was taken by Captain Herbert; the enemy having displayed some spirit and energy. The Nemesis (Captain Hall) with the boats of the Samarangy and AtaUmta proceeded from Macao towards Canton by the inner passfige. This small force destroyed seven small batteries, with 105 pieces of cannon, together with nine sail of men-of-war junks. The wonderftd exertions of Captain Hall throughout the whole Chinese war, deserve the highest honours which can be conferred on him. His two volumes on the '^ Nemesis'' are even a faint tribute to his gallant, energetic, and skilful conduct. 19th. A flag of truce having been fired on, the remaining de- fences in Macao passage, the Dutch folly, and a large flotilla of boats were taken and destroyed ; the city of Canton placed under the guns of the squadron, and the foreign factories occupied by the British troops. 20th. A suspension of hostilities was agreed upon between the new imperial commissioner Yang, and Captain Elliot. Fending the final settlement, ships-of-war were to remain near the neigh- bourhood of the English factories. The port was opened to the ships of all nations. While this armistice was in force, the three commissioners at Canton, Yih, Lung, and Yang, issued the following address to the WANT OJ? GOOD 7AITH IN MANDARINS* 71 people at C^aoitoD j it is another added to many existing proofs^ hoVF enroueous has been the estimate of good faith on the part of officials in China. *^ It is well known the tiger' 8 gate of the province of Canton, is a fortified pass of the utmost importance ; now the said rebellions barbaiiansy seeking and making causes of quarrel and war^ the forts have already been subjected to their attacks ; and we, the said leaders, troops having been already prepared at all points, have received the imperial orders to head the grand army to the attack and extermination (of the said barbarians) ; and when we fix on an early day to commence operations, the rebellious barba- nana either make false professions of their wishes to submit, or in fear slink off: in either case we cannot^ them. ^^ The turning, inconstancy, and tergiversation of the rebellious barbajdans have reached the extreme, and the supreme ruler, in his glorious and sublime majesty, trembles with indignation, and has coxmnanded us to lead on our armies, and decidedly not again allow them to beg for reconciliation. If any make pretexts, and do not hasten to have all prepared, until they even sink into neg- lect and r^tais^iess, all the officers at tiie maritime entrances and military stations shall be held responsible. Farther, the imperial will has been received imperatively to take the leaders of the rebels, and send them in cages to the im- perial city, there to suffer the utmost extremity of the law. And if they are not seized and firmly retained, or ordered out oi the port and to go far away, this also shall be imputed as a crime to the defensive military ; the military code is ready, and decidedly there shall be no iadulgence. "It is proper that we hasten to issue a proclamation according to the late state of affairs (i. e. war not peace, separation not har- mony.) We therefore invite all brave and hardy sailors to enter immediately ; those who distinguish themselves shall be reported for rewards : thus great favours and severe punishments, are both within their own choice. Especially obey it, be attentive to it. Oppose not. A special proclamation. 3rd moon, 15th day/^ May the 10th. — Since the truce of the 20th March, every faci- lity had been given to British commerce, and friendly intercourse had taken place between the four new commissioners, sent to Can- ton to arrange the demands of the British government, and Her Majestjr^s plenipotentiary. Captain Elliot had an interview with the Prefect of Canton, and having been perfectly satisfied that a plot was hatched for the des- truction of the British forces and merchants, hastily returned to Hong Kong. On the previous day, summary punishment had been inflicted upon a native in the public streets, for daring to recommend peace. New cannon were cast in large quantities, and nuinerons batteries completed and manned along the banks of the river, both above and below the factories ; an immense influx of 72 SSCim TKEPAVLATtOHB Mil B^WMttB^. strange toldiers took place ftom distant prcmnces. May the 90Ch; The natives who were in the secret, were discovered to have left the city in thonsands, notwithstanding a proclamation issued by the Prefect, calming their fears. Copies of this document were served on the foreign merchants. An abstract will snffice. " Attd yon, the said foreign merchants, onght also to remain quiet in yo«ur lawful pursuits, continuing your trade as usual, without alarm 4Mr suspicion/' 21 St. — Captain Elliot issued a circular, recommending sQ Britisft merchants to leave Canton before sunset, which they accordingly did, excepting parties belonging to American houses. Ahtmt ten o'elock p.m., the Chinese commenced the attack with fire-ndta against the British vessels, which continued throughout the whole night, but without doing any damage. ^2nd. — ^A boat belonging to the American ship Morison, with four seamen, an officer, and three passengers, sailed for Wfaampoa, with a " chop '' written in large characters ; they were all taken prisoners, and more or less wounded. At day-light, the Nemesisr, Modesto, Pylades, and Algerine, having completed the destrudtioil of the fire-rafts, moved towards the western fort at Shameen, ahd silenced them in a few minutes. The Nemesis pushed towards a flotiUa of war-junks, sinking tiiirty-nine with an equal number of fire-boats and fishing-smadcs. In the midst of this flotilla, the Chinese had a floating battery ftimished with heavy guns, which if properly served would have done great damage. While these scenes were going on, Yihshan the Chinese com- maiider dispatched 2,000 of his troops to the British factories in search of anjis ; indiscriminate plunder commenced, and not a par- ticle of property was left. Monday the 25th May. — ^The British forces under the command of Sir Hugh (now Lord) Gough, arrived in the Macao passage about two miles from the city, and it was three o^clock p.m. before every- thing was ready for attack. The Chinese now opened their fire upon the ships, at the same time they put in motion some fire ves- sels, which drifted across the river, and set fire to the suburbs. The enemy continued firing from the city walls for the remainder of the day. To the eastward of the forts, was a hill with a fort- ress upon the top of it. This was soon occupied by a detachment of the 49th. To the eastward of this hill in low ground, and close to the suburbs, was a village filled with Chinese troops, number- ing not less than 4,000 men, between it and an entrenched camp with which it communicated. The camp and village were soon cleared, under Major-general Burrell, with the 18th and 49th. Night approaching, the assault on the city was deferred for the following day. The first thing they observed before ten o'clodt A.M., was a white flag displayed from the walls. A mandarin now visited General Gough, wishing to propose terms of peace, but was A.TOi^OK ON AN0 BANBOM OF CAJVtOV^ 7j^ T^fyaeei.te Captain EUiot^ who was with the advanced n^fmdapWikl the river. The truce enabled Lord Gough to make such prepRmtioeat aft* would secure his taking possession of the city on the following, di^* Cajptain !Blliot dispatched an officer as soon as his terms were com* plied withy the messenger missed his way, wandering about -all night, and only reached his commander a few minutes before the assault was to have commenced. One of the arrangements en* tered into was, that the Tartar troops were to evaonate the city, and retire to a distance of sixty miles, which was accordingly dona. 29tb,*— Two days after the city was ransomed, large bodies of troops were diseovered upon the heights about three miles to the rear of the head-quarters. Lord Oough, after providing for a strict watch to be kept on the city, (thinking this a ruse) attacked this body, which amounted at different times to 10,000 or 15,000 meiiy and totally routed them. The destruction of life on the side of the Chinese was very great ; some say 1,500 killed and 5,000 woHuded* The loss on our side was 14 killed in action, and about 1^ wounded. The heat was fearful, and our troops buffered on that account severely. Had they stormed Canton, the slaughter would have been terrific. JLJD. 1841, May the 81st.— The sum of 500,000 dollars was this day paid, and the troops left the heights above Canton, and returned to their ships ; the British authorities a second time e^-i hibiting magnanimity and forbearance unparalleled in history. Anguftt the 10th. — Sir H. Fottinger arrived as sole plenipoten- tiary and minister to the court of Peking; anextract fi^om his address to the British merchants, will best illustrate the state, of affairs, after nearly two months tiuce* •' Macao, August I2th, 184L ^' Sir H. Pottinger had intimated to the proyiijiycial government of Canton, that he was willing to respect the existing truce, but that the slightest infraction of its terms, will lead to an instant re* newal of hostilities : an event highly probable from the well«known perfidy and bad faith of the provincial officers. Sir H. Pottinger cautions Her MaJesty^s subjects, and all other foreigners, against putting their lives or properties in their power." August the 26th. — ^A circular from Sir H. Pottinger of this date, announced the capture of Amoy, after a short defence. Kve hundred pieces of cannon were rendered useless, together with immense magazines f uU of munitions of war. A.D. 1841, October the 2nd. — ^Eight months had elapsed since the evacuation of Chusan, when a circular from Sir H. Pottinger an- nounced the re-capture of Tinghai, the capital of the Chusan group. The exertions made during the cessation of hostilities must have been extraordinary, for nearly two miles facing the city, was one continued, line of embankments with openings for guns. From 74 rAX8E BEPOBTS TO THE SMPSgQB* tfce nnmitioiM and great stores of provisions found, the l^iatt^es must haye bsen considered unimpregnable. Among other illustrations of the truth of the statement fre- quently advanced, that the Chinese officials misrepresented to their government at Peking, the true record of facts, I give the following report of Yukeen to the Emperor, after the capture of Chusan, (Tinghae is the chief town) in October 184>1. It is scarcely neoessary to add, that the blowing-up of the steamer, the destruction and flight of our troops, are entirely unfounded in truth. '' A rough, or original, report — or sketch — of the imperial envoy and great minister, 1^. " I report the loss of Tlnffhae, through the great disturbances caused by the disorderly and rebellious barbarians ; this despatch is forwarded at the rate of 600 le a-day. '^ I report, looking up, praying for the imperial glance on the affair. '* Your slave humbly begs to state, that on the 15th day of the 8th moon (September 2nd,) the rebellious barbarians stole into Tinghae; but on being attacked they immediately retreated : I now proceed to state the circumstances in a duly prepared report. " About the shin period — 3 to 5 p.m.— on the 18th day (October 2), a military flying despatch announced, that on the 13th at noon (September 27) thirteen sail of barbarian ships had arrived on the look-out in the harbour (of Tinghae), and when they had reached beyond Chah Shanmun, they were anchored unobserved. After- wiuxis, three steam-vessels and one three-masted ship, came into Chuhshan mun (bamboo-hill bay, or roads). General Koyan, &c, led on his troops and opened fire, and shot away the mainmast of the barbarian ship^which then rat-lil^erim away, " On the 16th day. they first passed to KHhseangmun and at- tacked Tungkeangpoo^ but our troops successively opening their fire, the rebels did not dare to advance. " On the 17th day, — in the cAom; period — 1 to 3 a.m. — ^the rebel steamers attacked the city of Tinghae. The Chintae Ko fired off guns with his own hand and good aim, set fire to the powder on the steamer's deck, and blew her to atoms. *^ Afterwards the teenshe of Tinghae, Tangkin, under the care of the naval officer commanding, and the deputed Tungche, Wang- Wekeih, arrived at the encamjHnent (at Chinhae), bringing 900 taels of silver, and the official seals of the heen district of Tinghae. " On questioning Wang Wekeih, he reported that on the 17th day (October 1) during the we period — 1 to 3 p.m., the city of Tinghae was lost.^^ October the 10th. — The city Chinhae, the key of Ningpo, yielded to our spirited attack. One hundred and fifty pieces of brass ord- nance were taken, exclusive of iron cannon, and many hundred gingalls. Many of the Chinese high officers ran away or com- UTTERLY DEFENCELESS STATE OF CHINA. 76 mitted snieide^ but some of their soldiers stood their ground^ and were forced from their guns by the bayonet. 13th. — The commander having sailed for Ningpo, the Chinese soldiers laid down their arms^ and actually refused to fight^ the ocmsequence was that their officers fled^ and the squadron anchored Tfithin 100 yards of the Walls of the city^ and our troops took up their quarters in the city. The following official report from the general commanding in Chekeang x^rovince^ on the capture of Chinhae (at the river Ning* po entrance) and of Ningpo, shews the utterly defenceless state in which we found this vast and unwieldy empire^ and how com- pletely panic and disaffection had incapacitated the people from making any resistance to our arms. Report from the Tetuh, or generaly of the province of Chekeang, on the loss of Chinhae and Ningpo. " Your slave^ Yu Pooyun, kneeling^ reports (as follows) : " On account of the district of Ningpo being unoccupied or deserted (by the Chinese troops)^ it is now necessary to establish regulations for its defence and safety^ and looking up^ I pray for the imperial glance on the affair. " I, your slave, humbly state, that on the 26th day of the 8th moon (Oct. 10, 1841), because of the loss of Chinhae, I retreated on Ningpo, to defend it ; I then took a hasty view of matters, and forwarded a post-haste dispatch at the rate of 600 le a*day : this is on record. And I immediately headed and led on officers and troops, whom I distributed and appointed for the particular and stricter defence of the sixth gate of Ningpo j but it was of no avail, as the walls were broad, and twenty le in compass ; and the regular garrison in the city before did not amount to 4000 men ; and these, besides, were distributed to guard the different military stations and encampments ; and there hardly remained 700 and odd men in the town, and although the troops who had been de- feated at Tinghae and Chinhae, hastened to return with all speed, still out of every ten men not more than one or two returned, and these, moreover, were frightened, and had lost their nerve, and it was difficult by any influence to prevail on them to keep their ranks. " Yukeen, from the 26th day of the moon, when he retreated from Chinhae, and entered Ningpo on the same day, during the ^fich period — from seven to nine p.m. — and escorted by Fktng Shinlae and others, with some hundreds of soldiers of the province of Keangnan, retreated night and day to Yuyao and Chaouhing. The officers and troops who were in the neighbourhood merely pretended to accompany and guard him (Yukeen) : — but it was the name only, not the reciity — and generally they did not enter and keep the city (Yuyao) ; and as they {Yukeen and his escort) passed 76 l^AMtC A!?D BOBBERIES OT THE C£tIN£«E. througK the district, all the people were in a great fright, anj4 ran away, hiding themselves, cjrowding on the road, and tranqpling each other aown ; and the sound of weeping and wailing spread til oyer the country ; and a starving, helpless class of vagaoonds seised the opportnni^ of combining with banditti, and to plunder the people of their wealth and goods ; I, your slave, met in con- suhation the chefoo of Ningpo district, Tanff Tinfftsae, and we directed the civil and military officers who were in the city to examine and seize (the robbers) and immediately to repress and punish ; bat when the city had become in a slight degree tranquil, unexpectedly the steamers and barbarian ships came right in upon Ningpo, on the north-east side below the city, sounding the depth of water. The guns belonging to the city had been sent in the 6th moon of last year to Tinghae and Chinhae j so we were at the time unprovided with any guns to fire off; and men^s hearts were excessively agitated. Connecting all these matters, and consider- ing that I, your slave, have been to this time the general of the province of Chekeang, and constantly living in camps, there are very many of the gentry of the city district whom I have not seen, I depended wholly on the district magistrate, Tav^, who possessed the people^s entire confidence, to issue official orders to fill the ranks, and guard and defend (the country) ; and as to the former orders (to defend the city), only the third and sixth gates of the city overlooked the river, but as there was no artillery, and also the fire from the barbarian ships, and their fire-afrows — ^rockets — being murderously destructive, I became fearful that we had no- thing to rely on (for opposition or defence). Every place in the whole province of Chekeang is of the last importance ; and at pre- sent there are no troops to be distributed (for its defence). Ij yotff slave, alone have utterly exhausted my mind and strength, in heading and leaiding on the civil and military officers, and in devisitiff aid ^MiabUshiii^ means of maintaining fast hold (of the province)'!' at the same time, I have summoned the defeated troops to collect, togethei" with the stout and brave villagers, and called them to the rescue ; and also sent flying summonses to the officers and troops of each province to also hasten for the safety (of Che- keang). I look up for help and support from Heaven's dread majesty (the Emperor) ; altogether hoping that if the city is pre- served, an the inhabitants wiU be preserved. '' I have thus, in a flying despatch, respectfully stated the de- serted and undccupied state of the district of Ningpo, the power and authbrib^ of ^hich is in the most imminent dangier ; and the circumstances pf establishing means and regulations for its guard and safety; and, pi^ostrate, I beg for the imperial glance of the great Emperor, and instructions how to act. " A respectful report. 21st year, 8th moon, 26th day. « (Oct. 10, 1^41.)'' In a report from Yihking to the Emperor, it was stated that i>h^ Chinese *^ braves^' had killed Sir H. Pottinger, and that there were ALLEG^I) OBSTRUCTION OF SRITX«H TROOPS. 77 *^fio^ ^shiprloeuk of dead bodies of the bariariang taken backio Tlmg* hae ;'* (Chusan) the Emperor thus adverts to the subject, *' Yihking, has sent up a document, relative to attacking and capturing traitorous natives. It has also been represented, that the rebel leader, Pottinger, attacked Tmghae^ but was killed by a gun ; but it is now said that this is false. It still appears that there was a barbarian chief killed, caUed Pa. {?) Two ot/$er bar* harian chiefs received severe wounds. J%ere were five skip^loads of the dead bodies of the barbarians taken back to Tinghae* Besides the above report states, that a barbarian chief was oai;^ht, and many traitorous natives. Let there be no remissness or delay, until the rebels are swept from the land. Bespect this.'' The Chinese authorities entertained an idea, that by seductive promises, they could induce the British soldiers and their follow- ers to desert. An abstract of the proclamation from the imperial commissioner Tihking, on the 30th January, 1842, states that '' there are many natives amongst the black barbarians who have been taken cap- tives by the English rebels, who grievously oppress them, and in the day of battle will place them in front, where they will have to stand the whole brunt of the conflict. *' If in the day of battle, either red or black barbarians will cast away their aims, and refuse to fire; they shall in all cases be spared alive. Any who shall deliver up a barbarian chie^ shall be rewarded with a high dignity ; any who shall take the common " demons,'* (privates) shall have a large sum of mone^ ; and any who shall give up a foreign vessel, shall have all the goods it contains.'' Our troops and fleet wintered at Kingpo and Chusan. A.D. 1842. March the 10th.— Ever since the c^ture of Ning- po in October, vigorous efforts had been making all over the empire, to exterminate the barbarians ; but until this date^ nothing of a serious nature occurred. At daylight a number, of Chinese troops, estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000, advanced mqqxx the south and west gate of Ningpo, got over the walls and penetrated to the market place, here they were met by the British troops, and the daughter was dreadful. In the meantime a vast number of fire-boats lashed together, were floated down the river, but did no damage. There were exactly similar attempts made on Chinhae> but on a smaller scale, with similar success. Tsz-ke about ten miles from Ningpo, had been making extensive preparations ; which was well known to the commander of ihe British forces, March 15th. — The repulses at Ningpo and Chinhae, had fright- ened the imperial troops at Tsz-ke, and before a retrogade move- ment could be completed, they were totally routed, and upwards of 1,000 killed. The troops here were in appearance and bodily strength, superior to any hitherto met with, and numbered from 8,000 to lOjiOOO. The admirable position chosen, shewed consider- 78 COMMAITDKmS KSLUBTT AND C0LI.IN80N^ B.N. able militaiy ddU in tlieir generaLsj and they held their ground with some obstinacy. May the 2lBt.«^A. drcolar from Admiral Parker of this date^ announced the capture of Chapu. By the indefeUigable exertions of Cknnmanders Kellett and Collinson, two officers of firsts-rate talent in their noble profesaion, and distinguished for their scientific energy and enterprize in sorreying and soundings the Comwailis^ Blonde, and Modesto were enabled to take up a good position against the sea^batteries^ consisting of two works mount- ing twelve guns, about one-third the way up a ate^ hill, and crowned with a Joss house^ which was occupied by the enemy. There were three other masked batteries mounting thirty guns. The Chinese force was estimated at 8^000 regulars, 1700 of whom were Tartars. There w^ne from 1200 to 1500 of the enemy buried, and but few prisoners taken. The preparations for -war^ fEure were on a very large scale, such as a gun foundry, gunpowder manufactory, and extensive arsenals, v^st quantity ^ gingals, matchlocks, bows and arrows; all of which w^e destroyed. A severe typhoon (hurricane) occurred in the neighbourhood of Canton in 1841; the effects of whidi were greatly magnified in the report made to Peking, whereupon the following imiperial edict was issued, which shews the tone and feelings of the Sinperor towards the Engh^ at that time. ^' Yihshan and his colleagues have reported that the ocean has-been agitated by typhoons, and the public offices and landing places of the English barbarians entirely destroyed, and one shipwrecked. " By the report it is authenticated, that on the 4th day of 6th moon (July 21) between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m. a typhoon ccon* menced which forced the waves to run mountains high, and at the same time torrents of rain descended. The laige and small bar- barian vessels anchored in Tseenshakeo (the Typa) were sunk by the waves, and the great and small '^ flowet^^ boats belonging to native traitors, were either entirely destroyed, or driven out to sea; of these that have escaped^ large and small, the number exceeds forty. The masts of all the ships were carried away, and of the barbarian banditti and native traitors, the number drowned exceeds calculation ; all the tents and mat-sheds were blown away by the wind, none were saved. The new-built landing places were swept clean away, and nothing left but an empty space, and the sea was covered with floating corpses. Such is the report. " I, the Emperor, having turned over and looked at the rest, fed most grateful for Heaven's favours ; but while thus rgoicing in happiness, I should entertain a wholesome dread of Heaven^s awful majesty— ^(r^oicc tvith trembling) . The cup of the iniquities of the said barbarians is full ; their disorderly and illegal conduct has destroyed the people; long and much have they travelled iu unrighteous paths; but at last they must bow their heads to heaven's ^termination* All this has been accorded by secret, WOOftUNe AND SIIANaHAI fAKEN. 79 silent influences : the intelligent goda aid and protect in nlence. The murderous influences are swept clean away^ and the botwr- daries of ooean are established in quiet. It is proper that we should with sincerity bum incense, to offer up our righteous thoughts. I order Yihshan and his colleagues to go in penon to all the temples, and reverently announce my thanksgivings ; and on the 2dth day of the moon, to fast and sleep witibin the city; and on the 30th day to perform all the ceremonies in the different temples. I further order the Teachanffking, to reverently attend to all the preparations. Respect this/' 1841. 1842, June the 16th. The whole British forces arrived safe in the Yangtzekang river, at a point where it joins the Woosung. So confident were the Chinese of defending this important en- trance, that they hailed the enemy with cheers. At dayUght our squadron weighed anchor, and the enemy opened fire, which conti- nued on both'sides for two hours ; when that of the Chinese began to slacken, and the marines andlseamen werelanded . 253 guns, of which forty-two were brass, were taken in the batteries. The whole were mounted on pivot carriages. The British naval force had two killed, and twenty-five wounded, the land forces sustained no injury. The Blonde, frigate and Sesostris steamer had twenty-five shots in their hull, the first fourteen and the other eleven. On the 17th some of the lighter vessels advaxiced up the Woosung river, and destroyed a deserted battery, mounting fifty-five guns, of which seventeen were brass. On the 19th two batteries, close to the city of Shanghai, opened their guns on the advanced division, but on receiving a couple of broadsides the enemy fled ; the batteries, which contained forty- eight guns (seventeen brass) were instantly occupied, and the troops took possession of the city, in which were extensive grana- ries belonging to the government. These were opened and freely given to the people. The next day the Admiral proceeded up the river Woosung about fifty miles, and met with other field-works, which he destroyed. The total number of ordnance captured on these encounters was 364, of which seventy-six were brass lately east, with devices and characters which signified that they were intended to subdue the barbarians. Shanghai was captured, after scarcely a momentary resistance, en the 19th. The garrison fled. The expedition was detained at Woosung until the 6th of July, when it advanced up the Yangtze- kang, and on the 11th reached a military position, mounting thirteen guns, which opened fire on the leading ships, but were soon silenced, and the guns, batteries, and military buildings de- stroyed. At .this place the main body of the fleet was retarded by adverse winds for nearly a week. On tibeSOth the whole force, amounting to seventy sail of vessels, arrived and anchored abreast of the city of Cheakiang. At a dis* tanoe of three niiles &om the city was a camp, vrith a large force. The troops in this camp only fired a few volleys and dispersed, but 80 BRITISH AVO CHINISB LOM DUBING THE WAR. were piereiited from qpproacliiiig the city. The Tartar troops in the city opened a heavy and incessant fire of cannon, gingals, waU tieces and matchlocks. The wall was gallantly escaladed under a eavy fire from the Tartar troops, who disputed the ramparts, and , prolonged the contest for some hours, and it was late in the erening before they disappeared. The city is rather more than four nules in circumference, the works were admirably constructed, 80 that nothing but cannon could have made any impression on it, being pierced with narrow embrazures and loopholes^ and flanked with tnmsverse walls. The enemy was not less than 3,000,. of whom full 1,000 were killed, with about forty officers. The Tartar general seeing the city taken, retired to his house, made his servants set fire to it, and sat in his chair till he was burned to death. There were various exaggerated official statements of the ''determined resistance'' offered to our troops by the Chinese arms. This in fact was but a part of the whole toUe of amplifi- cation with which everything was purposely magnified. The following detail of our loss, in at least fifteen actions, will show the worthlessness of the Chinese army, and how incapable it was to resist the daring gallantry of our troops and seamen. British and Chinese hss, killed and wounded, during the war, from July bthj 1840, to July 2lst, 1842, according to the offi" cial despatches from the Commanders-in-chief of ovr army and navy. The killed in batlle include soldiers, seamen, marines, sepoys, and camp-followers. The wounded ditto, and the slight- est scratch was called a wound. Date. 1840 July 5 1841 Jan. 7 Name of Action. » ^n^H^v^^^f* Tinghae, Chusan - Chuenpec fort (1) - War junks (1) Tycocktow forts (2) Carried forward - British and Indian force. Chineie.* 91 66 82 25 • None ■i •0 B I None 38 o Mone 38 Unk I mm •6 •a ^ I noivn ense. • It IS impossible to give the actual loss in killed and wounded of the Chinese. Tlie official reports frequently advert to the «' great loss," '« dreadful slaughter," &c., of the enwny. The nambers here give» are those mentioned in the British sUle- ments. Afker a careful examinatioD, in China and in Ei^iid, of varioua data, And I o°!?^y®''^!!*f ?«®? ?Ji . engagements, I cannot estimate the Chinese loss at less than 18,000 or 20,000 killed and wounded. Most of the wounded perished, unless where kindly attended to by the truly Christian spirit that ever pervades our nedioal offlcew in the army and navy. 'I'd^J^/iiS AND SKOLIfiB XILUBD m TttB WA&. 81 British and Chinese loss, fte.-^eontl&aed.) Date. ■ Kame of Aotion. OS 1841 Brought forward - Eek,2S 1 Anuqglioj batteries and N. Wantong fi^7 Cambridge and war junks Macr.l 8 Defences of Canton Aiig.26 Amoy and defences Oct. 1 J Chiisan - . - . Oct. 10 Gfainghai citadel - 1842 Mar. 9 Ningpo^ n^ht attack Mar.lO { Caiingbaiy ditto Mar. 15 ] Tsekee (Segoan) "MaylS I'Cbapoo - - - - June 16 Woosung batteries - June I 9 Shanghai - - - - Chinkeanfoo * • ^ Total - - - 264 about 300 98 J23 106 550 136 150 Bxittah and IndSan force. I 92 250 49 2118 None 1 None 14 None 2 8 1 None 3 13 2 None 80 |£ 69 88 6 8 6 112 27 16 5 None 22 52 !25 Kqne 126 1^1 88 5 9 6 12^ 9 S9 19 6 None 25 65 27 None 156 9 about 500 \ about 300 about 400 about 1500 ^ o Ver 520 400 about 150 about 500 About 82 800 1000 200 very ditto ditto about 5000 y se to Ma Very Ma to To to Unkn<^wn. raany ditto ditto 6500 vere 500 ny. great. ny. 1000 1500 250 Slaughter Jtercific, 1000. Estimated at 18,000 to 20,090 Bemaaks. — (1 and 2.) The general tone of the despatches durins Hie war may be illustrated by the following words firom the offidfU reports on the actions : '^ The Chinese have suffered se- verely ; their loss^ including that o^ board the war junks^ cannot be estimated At less than 500 to 600^ oup of a force calculated at 2000 men. Ths slaughter in the lower fort^ when carried by fitorm^ was considerable." * * * "The loss of the enemy, from the number of killed lying i|i eveiy direction, must have been moat severe/' * * * « ^ The service has been performed with trifling loss on thepart of Her Majesty's forces.'' * * * "The loss on our ,$i4e }^ been small, {^»d would have beien less but for the ejLplosion of an eii^penae magaaine in the fort> after <^pture. >f VOL. II. G 82 ENDEAVOURS TO VRIOHTSN THE ENGLISH. — (General Orders, Fort William, February 24th, 1841 ; and Sir Gordon Bremer's despatches,) Thus it will be seen that the British forces, army and navy, had not one man killed, and but for the magazine explosion, which was accidental, there would not have been a dozen wounded, even slightly. The killed alone of the Chinese is supposed to have been at least five hundred men in this action ! This may be viewed as a fiedr sample of the whole Chinese war. The follomng is a return of Her Majesty^ 8 ships on the coast of China, in 1840, 1841, and 1842. July, 1840 No. of Ships Guns. Men. August, 1841. No of Ships. Ouos. Men. Sept. 1, 1842 No. of At Nankin. Ships. Guns. Men. Third rates Fifth rates Sixth rates Sloops .... Brig Troop ship 2 3 4 5 1 1 144 86 106 88 10 2 1080 570 700 615 55 44 Third rates Fifth rates Sixth .... Sloops ...., Brigs .... Surveying vessels . . Troop ship 2 2 2 5 8 2 1 144 86 54 86 SO 10 2 1080 570 S50 615 165 ISJ 44 Third rates Fourth ... Fifth .... Sixth Sloops .... Steam ves- sels. . . ... Brigs Surveying vessel . . Hospital ship . Troop ships 2 4 14 S 1 1 5 144 50 164 90 282 8 SO 2 20 44 1240 500 1360 750 1835 290 15 436 8064 - 180 30 310 574 17 412 2962 87 784 7009 The additional force was about 5,000 British troops, and nearly 7,000 Indian troops, together with seamen and marines, making a total of upwards of 1 9,000 men. Our whole contest with the Chinese, resembled the war which might have been expected between theBrobdignags and Lilliputians. la page 147, will be found instructions to soldiers, but their ar- ticles of war are calculated to strike terror, thus: "When an enemy advances,^^ says the penal code, " he who shrinks, or whis- per^ to his cpmrade, shall be decapitated.^^ Having succeeded in breaking the spirit of their soldiers by this mode, they adopted a pretty similar one with the barbarians. In front of the mouths of their cannon, or hanging over the wsdls of a fort, might be seen the picture of a tiger^s head suspended, with streaks of red, resembling blood, intended to frighten our troops. The Chinese were ordered to advance, clashing two swords, for the same purpose. Commander J. Elliot, in his interesting narrative of the expe- dition, says : " The appearance of the ship {' Conway,^) created a great sensation, and the. natives were apparently busy throwing up lortifications, which being examined by the telescope, proved nothing but mats extended on poles, with painted ports, to gjLve them the appearance of forts." ., MAT FORTS AND MOCK GUNS OV CHINBSB. 83 Referring to the period of the dispute with Lord Napier^ the commander proceeds^ '^onr countrymen at Canton were one morning astonished at seeing the shore apparently bristling with cannon, but on examining them with their glasses^ they had put up in the front of a mat-fort a range of earthen jars, with their open end pointed towards the river. We found that it was a com- mon practice to stick a large round piece of wood into the muzzle of a three-pounder painted white, with a black spot, as large as the bore of a thirty-two pounder, and as the white muzzle was continued along the line of guns, it became very difficult by merely looking at them to discover the deception/' Liord Jocelyn says : " The description of some of the Chinese forts, hastily thrown up, on the approach of the ships, was ludi- crous ; many consisting of bamboo mats, pierced as if for guns to astound the barbarians, for little did they imagine, that through the glasses from the ship, this childish deception was easily f&A" covered. '"The Algerine, a ten-gun brig^ commanded by Lieutenant Mason, came into harbour ; in passing a town called Chapoo, a place of great trade with Japan, he had been fired upon by a strong fort, mounting a great number of guns. He immediately ranged his httle vessel up under the batteries, but for three hours the Chinese kept up a steady fire, when, with nearly the last remain- ing charge, the little brig silenced the batteries ; then anchoring her close under. Lieutenant Mason waited an hour to see if they wished a renewal, and then took his departure to join the squad- ron.^' An eye-witness at Chuenpe and Tykokto, in 1841, says : ''We do not expect to find in the construction of Chinese forts any ex- hibition of engineering skill ; they have not had a Vauban, It ap- pears, however, that the materials they use for the upper part of their works, is a composition of chunam, upon which our shot made little impression. Most of their guns were of small calibre, the iron wretched, a single blow of a hammer being sufficient to knock off the trunnions. The stockades were well built, but the situation badly chosen> being commanded by the neighbouring hills. Prom their freshness they could only have been a few days built— just at the time the British authorities were negotiating, S. e., being bamboozled.^' The rapidity of our succes.ses is thus seen : Amoy, 26th August, 1841 ; Chusan, 3rd October, 1841 ; Ningpo and Ching-hae, lOth March, 1842 ; Repulse of enemy at Ching-hae, 10th March, 1842; Chapoo, 18th May, 1842; Woo-sung, 16th June, 1842 ; Shang-hae, ISifch June, 1842; Chin-kiang-foo^ 2l8t July, 1842; peace at Nan- kin, 29th August, 1842* During this short period, notwithstanding adverse weather, eleven fortified cities and encampments fell into our hands, on an unknown line of coast of nearly one thousand miles in extent. Had we proceeded at once to Nanking, instead of thus wastitig oiur g2 84 TRSATT OF NANKIN, AN OLD DOCUMENT. strength and resources, peace ifould have been immediately ob- tained. To proceed with the close of the narrative. August 1842. Arrangements were made for placing a strong British garrison at Chin Kiang, as it commands the entranoe to the grand canal. The remainder of the expedition sailed for Nanking on the 3rd of August^ which is situated about forty miles distant^ and three miles from the Yangtzekang ; but connected by a variety of canals. On the 11th every thing being ready for an attack, a white flag, was displayed^ sevend friendly conferences ensued^ ending on the 29th by formally signing and sealing a treaty of peace. It is understood that the Chinese government had at length be- come really aware of its own weakness and of our strength ; that the Emperor had made preparations for flight into Mantchouria^ and that the three commissioners sent to Nanking to procure peace were instructed to obtain it on any terms which might be asked. Instead, however, of forming a treaty in accordance with our i)osition and adequate to our wants, the old tresity Jramed by the ate Mr, Pouletl Thompson in 1840, — on the suggestion of Sir George Larpent and others (see page 40) — which had been printed at the Foreign OflBce in Downing Street, and sent out as a rough outline for the guidance of Captain iBUiott in 1841, with a blank after the words "the cession of the islands of — " and with another blank after the words ''Indemnity money — — — /' this old draft of a treaty was sent on shore by Sir Henry Pottinger with s struck out of the word " islands/* and the word " Hong Kong'' alone left there ; for rea- sons some of which will be explained in the last chapter of this work. The terms of peace having been read, Elepoo the senior commissioner paused, expecting something more, and at length said " is that all ?'' Mr. Morrison inquired of Lieutenant-colonel Malcolm if there were anything else, and being answered in the negative, Elepoo immediately and with great tact closed the nego- tiation by saying, "all shall be granted — it is settled— ii ** finished" Such were the preliminary negotiations of the follow- ing treaty — " Her Majesty, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty the Emperor of China, being desirous of putting an end to the misunderstandings and conse- quent hostilities which have arisen between the two countries, have resolved to conclude a treaty for that purpose, and have therefore named as their plenipotentiaries, that is to say: Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Sir Heniy Pottinger, Bart., a Major-general in the service of the East India Company, &c. &c. And his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, the hi^ commissioners Kiying, a member of the Imperial PORTS TO BE OFENXD FOR TBADB. 8S House, a guardian of the Crown Prince, and general of the gar- rison of Canton ; and rjipu, of the Imperial Kindred, graciously permitted to wear the insigna of the first rank, and the distinc* tion of a peacock^s feather, lately minister and governor-general, &c., and now lieutenant-general commanding at Ch&pu: — who, after having communicated to each other their respective full powers, and found them to be in good and due form, have agreed upon and concluded the following Articles : — 1st. '^ There shall henceforward be peace and friendship between Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty the Emperor of China^ and between their respective subjects, who shall enjoy fuU securi^ and protec* tion for their persons and property within the dominions of the other. 2nd. '^ His Majesty the Emperor of China agrees, that British subjects, with their families and establishments, shidl be allowed to reside, for the purpose of carrying on their mercantile pursuits^ without molestation or restraint, at the cities and towns of Can- ton, Amoy, Fuhchoo-fii, Ningpo, and Shdngh^i ; and Her Majesty the Clueen of Great Britain, &c., will appoint superintendents, or consular officers, to reside at each of the above-named cities or towns, to be the medium of communication between the Chinese authorities and the said merchants, and to see that the just duties aad other dues of the Chinese government, as hereafter provided for, are duly discharged by Her Britannic Majesty's subjects. 3rd. '' It being obviously necessary and desirable that British subjects should have some port whereat they may careen and refit their ships when required, and keep stores for that purpose. His Majesty the Emperor of China cedes to Her Majestv the Queen of Great Britain, &c., the island of Hong Kong, to be possessed in perpetuity by Her Britannic Majesty, her heirs and successors, and to be governed by such laws and regulations as Her Majesty the Clueen of Great Britain, &c., shall see fit to direct. 4th. ^' The Emperor of China agrees to pay the sum of six mil- lions of dollars, as the value of the opium which was delivered up at Canton in the month of March, 1839, as a ransom for the lives of Her Britanic Majesty^s superintendent and subjects, who had ^n imprisoned and threatened with death by the Chinese high officers, 5th. '^ The government of China having compelled the British merchants trading at Canton to deal exclusively with certain Chinese merchants, called Hong-merchants (or co-hong), who had l>een licensed by the Chinese government for that purpose, the Emperor of China agrees to abolish that practice in future at all ports where British merchants may reside, and to permit them to cany on their mercautile transactions with whatever persons they ^ease ; and His Imperial Majesty further agrees to pay to the British government the sum of three millions of dollars, on ac- 86 INDSMNITT MONBT FOA TUS WAB. count of debts due to British subjects by some of the Hong merchants^ or co-hong, who have become insolvent, and who owe very lai^e sums of money to subjects of Her Britannic Majesty. 6th. " The government of Her Britannic Majesty having been obliged to send out an expedition to demand and obtain redress for the violent and unjust proceedings of the Chinese high authorities towards Her Britannic Majesty's officer and subjects^ the Emperor of China agrees to pay the sum of twelve millions of dollars, on account of the expenses incurred ; and Her Britannic Majesty^s plenipotentiary voluntarily agrees, on behalf of Her Majesty, to deduct from the said amount of twelve millions of dollars, any sums which may have been received by Her Majest/s combined forces, as ransom fpr cities and towns in China, subset quent to the 1st day of August, 1841. 7th. '^ It is agreed, that the total amount of twenty-one mil^ lions of dollars, described in the three preceding articles, shall be paid as follows :— " Six millions immediately. Six millions in 1843 ; that is, three millions on or before the 30th of the month of June, and three millions on or before the 31st of Pecember. Five millions in 1844 ; that is, two millions and a half on or before the 30th of June, and two millions and a half on or before the 3l8t of Decemr her. Four millions in 1845 ; that is, two millions on or before the 30th of June, and two millions on or before the 81st of De- cember. '^ And it is further stipulated, that interest, at the rate of five per cent, per annum, shall be paid by the government of China on any portion of the above sums that are not punctually discharged at the periods fixed. 8th. " The Emperor of China agrees to release, unconditiour ally, all subjects of Her Britannic Majesty (whether natives of Europe or India), who may be in confinement at this moment in any part of the Chinese Empire. 9th. " The Emperor of China agrees to publish and promulgate, under His Imperial Sign Manual and Seal, a full and entire amnesty and act of indemnity to all subjects of China, on account of their having resided under, or having had dealings and inter- course with, or having entered the service of. Her Britannic Ma- jesty, or of Her Majesty's oflScers ; and His Imperial Majesty further engages to release all Chinese subjects who may be at this inoment in confinement for similar reasons. 10th. ^^ His Majesty the Emperor of China agrees to establish at all the ports which are, by the second article of this Treaty, to be thrown open for the resort of British merchants, a fair and re- gular tariff of export and import customs and other dues, which tariff shall be publicly notified and promulgated for general in- formation; and the Emperor further engages, that when British mer- chandise shall have once paid at any of the ports the regulatecl customs CHUSAN TO BE EVACUATED ON FULFILMENT OF TREATT. 87 and dues^ agreeable to the Tariff to be hereafter GxeA, such mer- cliandize may be conveyed by Chinese merchants to any province or city in the interior of the Empire of China^ on paying a farther amount as transit duties, which shall not exceed pe/ cent, on the tariff value of such goods. 11th. '* It is agreed, that Her Britannic Majesty's chief high officer in China shall correspond with the Chinese high officers, both at the capital and in the provinces, under the term " com- munication/ the subordinate British officers and Chinese high officers in the provinces, under the term ' statement,' on the part of the former, and on the part of the latter, ^ declaration ;' and the subordinates of both countries on a footing of perfect equality ; merchants and others not holding official situations, and therefore not included in the above, on both sides, to use the term ' repre- sentations ' in all papers addressed to, or intended for the notice of the respective governments. 12th. " On the assent of the Emperor of China to this Treaty being received, and the discharge of the first instalment money. Her Britannic Majesty^s forces will retire from Nanking and the Grand Canal, and will no longer molest or stop the trade of China. The military post at Chinhai will also be withdrawn; but the islands of Kulang-su and that of Chusan will continue to be held by Her Majesty's forces until the money payments, and the ar* tangements for opening the ports to British merchants, be com- pleted. 13th. " The ratification of this treaty by Her Majesty the Queen of Britain, &c., and His Majesty the Emperor of China, shall be exchanged as soon as the great distance which separates England from China will admit ; but, in the meantime, counter- part copies of it, signed and sealed by the plenipotentiaries on be- half of their respective sovereigns, shall be mutually delivered, and all its provisions and arrangements shall take effect. " Done at Nanking, and signed and sealed by the plenipoten- tiaries on board Her J8ritannic Majesty's ship ^ Cornwallis,' this twenty-ninth day of August, 1842 ; corresponding with the Chi- nese date, twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, in the twenty- second year of Taoukwang. " (L.S.) Henry Pottinger. " (L.S.) Kiting (in Tartar). "(L.S.) Tlipu (in Tartar). " Approved and ratified by the Emperor on the 24th day of the ^th month, in the 22nd year of his reign, (Oct. 27th, 1842.) Note. — This treaty was ratified by Her Majesty, and the great seal affixed, on the 31st of December, 1842. The ratifications were exchanged at Hong Kong, June 26th, 1843.^' This treaty was sufficiently restrictive, but under its first clause Englishmen could have gone to and reisided in any part of China^ 88 •VPFLXMBNTABT TBBATT OT 184ft. although trading residence would be confined to five ports. Bat tlie wily Tartar Keying took measnres to counteract eten this small advantage, and, at the same time, craftily devised a jdan of isolat- ing Hong Kong firom freedom of intercourse with the opened ports. This was done by the foUowing '' supi^ementiJ tteaky" on which further comment is reserved for the discossion on our present posi- tion in China. Stgapkmentarff Treaif. " Whereas a treaty of perpetual peace and friendship betw^n Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireluid, and His Majesty the Emperor of China, was concluded at Nanking, and signed on board Her said Majesl^s ship Com- wallis on the 29th day of August, a.d. 1842, corresponding with the Chinese date of the 24th day of the 7th month of tike 22nd year of Taoukwang, of which said treaty of perpetual peace and friend- sliip the ratifications under the respective seals and signs manual of the Queen of Great Britain, &c., and the Emperor of China were duly exchanged at Hong Kong, on the 26th day of June, A.D. 1843, corresponding with the Chinese date the 29th day of the fifth month, m the 23rd year of Taoukwang; and whereas in the said treaty it was provided (amongst othrar things) that the five ports of Canton, Foochow-foo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai should be thrown open for the resort and residence of British mer- chants, and that a fair and r^ular tariff of export and import duties and other dues should be established at such ports ; and whereas various other matters of detail connected with, and bear^ ing relation to, the said treaty of perpetual peace and firiendsfaip, have been since under the mutual discussion and conraderation of the Plenipotentiary and accredited Commissioners of the high contracting parties, and the said tariff and details having been now finally examined into, adjusted and agreed upon, it has been determined to arrange and record them in the fbrm of a supple* mentary treaty of (seventeen) Articles, which articles shall be hdd to be as binding and of the same efficacy as though they had been inserted in the original treaty of perpetual peace and friendship. Ist. "The tariff of export and import duties which is hereunto attached under the seals and signatures of the respective plenipo- tentiary and commissioners, shall henceforward be in force at the five ports of Canton, Fuhchoo-foo, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai. 2nd. "The general regulations of trade which are hereunto attached under the seals and signatures of the respective plenipo- tentiary and commissioners, shall henceforward be in force at the five aforenamed ports. 3rd. " All penalties enforced or confiscations made under the third clause of the said general reguli^tions of trade, shall CANTON CITT TO BB OFBNBD TO THB BBITI8H. 89 bdoBf j and be appropriated^ to iSbe public mefide of tlie govern- ment of China. 4th. ''After the fire ports of Canton^ Foochow; Amoy^ NingpOj and Shanghai^ shaU be thrown open^ English merchants shall be allowed to larade onlj ait those fire ports. Neither shall they repair to any other port or places^ nor will the Chinese people at any other port or places be permitted to trade with them« If English merchant ressels shall, in contrayention of this agreement, and of a proclamation to the same purport to be issued by the British ptempotentiary, repair to any other ports or places, the Chinese goremment officers shall be at liberty to seize and con- fiiicate both vessels and causes; and should Chinese people be discovered clandestinely dealing with English merchants at any other ports txr places, they shall be punished by the Chinese go- Temment in such Boanner as the law may direct. 5th. " The fourth clause of the general regulations of trade on the subject of commercial dealings and debts between English and Chinese merchants, is to be dearly understood to be applicable to both parties. Gth. '^ It is agreed that English merchants and others residing at^ or resorting to, the five ports to be opened, shall not go into the suTTomiding country beyond certain short disti^nees to be named hj the local authorities in concert with the British consul^ and on no pretence for purposes of traflGbc* Seamen and persons belong- ing to the ships shall only be allowed to land under authority and ndes, which will be fixed by the consul in communication with the local officers; and should any persons whatever infringe the stipulations of this article^ and wander away into the country, thej shall be seized atid handed over to the British consul for snitaUe punishment. 7th. " The treaty of perpetual peace and friendship provides for British subjects and their families residing at the cities and towns of Canton, Poochow, Amoy, Ningpo, and Shanghai, without molestation or restraint. It is accordingly determined that ground and houses, the rent or price of which is to be fairly and equitably arranged for, according to the rates prevailing amongst the people, without exaction on either side^ shall be set apart by the local officers in communication with the consul, and the number of houses built or rented will be reported annually to the said local officers by the consul, for the information of their respective viceroys and governors; but the number cannot be limited, seeing that it will be greater or less according to the resort of merchants. 8th. " The Emperc^ of China having been graciously pleased to grant to all foreign countries whose subjects or citizens have hitherto traded at C^ntm the hoppo lor her to dischai^ her cargo, which she is not to do without such permission, under the foifetture of the penaltie slaid down in the third clause of the General Biegulations of Trade. 8rd. ^ When the inward cargo is dischtarged, and an outward one (if intended) taken on board, and die duties on both arranged and paid, the consul will lestore the regist^, or sailing-letter, and allow the vessel to depart. '^ This ' Supplementary Treaty to be attached to Ihe original Treaty of Beaee, consisting of sixteen articles, and one additional article relating to small vessels, is now written out, fe«*ming, with its aGOompaniauents, four pamphlets, and is formally signed and sealed by their excellencies, the British plenipotentiary and the Chinese imperial commissioner; who in the first instance, take two copies each and exchange theso^ that their provisions may be im- mediately doiried into effect. At the same time, each of these high fufi^ionaiies having taken his two eopies, dball duly me- morialise the sovereign of his nation, but the two countries are differently situated as respects distance, so that the will of the one sovereign can be known sooner than the will of the other. It is now, therefore, agreed, that on receiving the gracious assent of the Emperor, in the vermilion pencil, the imperial commissioner will del^er the vieiiry document contaixiing it into the hands of his ^c^ency, Hwang, judge of Canton, who will proceed (to such place as the plenipotentiary may appoint) and deliver it to the English pl^potentiary to have and to hold. Afterwards, the sign manual of the sovereign of England having been received at Hong Kong, likewise graciously assenting to and confirming the treaty, the English plenipotentiary will dispatch a specially ap- pointed oflBcer to Canton, who will deliver the copy containing the 94 0I8TU&BANCBt AT CANTON AVTER THE TEBATT. royal ngn manaal to his excellency, Hwang, who will forward it to the imperial oommiasioner as a rule and a guide to both nations for ever, and as a solemn confirmation of our peace and friendship. A most important Supplementary Treaty* ^' Signed and sealed at Hoomunchai, on the 8th day of October, 1849t corresponding with the Chinese date of 15th day of the 8th moon of the 23rd year of Taoukwang. L.8. H. B. M*«. Plenipotentiary. L.8. a. K. the Imperial Commiuioner. (Signed) Henbt Pottinobr. (Signed) Kbtino, — ^in Tartar. On the 7th December, 1842, after the declaration of peace, and four months after the treaty was signed, the minds of the people of Canton were excited by inflammatory placards posted on their factory walls and directed against the English. In the early part of that day a dispute commenced between some Chinese and Las- cars, and the latter being pursued took shelter in the *' Creek Hong/' The mob first attacked a brick wall on the western side of the company's garden, by which they obtained entrance into Mr. Murrow's house; this they quickly plundered of its contenta^r They next set fire to the British flag-staff, factory, ftc« Intimation was forwarded to Howqua before night came on, but no efficient force was sent ; even the fire engines that arriyed were not allowed to be worked. The mob were in undisputed pos- session of the place for twenty-four hours, when 200 troops dis* persed them. The following correspondence then took place ; and it Ulustrate» the policy then commenced, and since persevered in, of endeavour^ ing to foroe the British merchants to quit Canton, and reside at Hong Kong. For this reason they have ever since been refused the protection of a British ship of war, at Canton, to which theyr were entitled by the treaty of Nanking. Eight British merchants addressed a memorial to Sir Hugh (now Lord) Oough, stating that it was their opinion the recent attack was premeditated, and praying that he would allow the Honourable Company's small steamer, '* Proserpine/' to re- main in front of the factories, as the local authorities were unable to quell the riot, until life and property were sacrificed. In answer to this. Lord Gough, with a promptitude and manfy* British feeling becoming his high character and station, permitted the small steamer to remain at Canton, until such time as he could communicate with Sir Henry Pottinger. December Idth. — Seventeen British and East India merchants waited on Sir Henry Pottinger, with a copy of their address to Lord Gough, and his Lordship's answer, together with the following 1115ASONS FOR DESIRING PROTECTION AT CANTON. 95 additional remarks^ in the hopes of prerailing on his Excellency to grant them some security for their lives and property; — ^the grounds were : — 1st. " That there appeared no doubt of the fact^ that the attack on the foreign factories had been determined on for some time prC' viously to its occurrence^ and that the parties employed in it were regularly organized. 2nd. '^That although an a£fray between some Lascars and Chinese^ was the ostensible cause of its commencement at that par* ticular time^ the attack would have taken place sooner or later^ had no such circumstance occurred. 3rd. '^ That the locd authorities were unable or unwilling to afford sufficient protection^ in time to prevent a considerable sacri- fice of life and property^ and the causes which occasioned such a result^ are liable at any moment to recur. 4th. '^ That there is a spirit of hostility to the English^ very general among certain orders in Canton^ and that the common people are guided and influenced by parties who have means and ability of giving e£Pect to their operations^ in a more systematic manner than could be expected from an ordinary mob.'' Sir H. Pottinger, on 16th December, 1842, replied at conside- rable length to these fair statements of the British merchants, — rated them in no measured terms for presuming to ask protection for their lives and property, — ^to a certain extent justified the Chinese mob, ordered the small steamer to be withdrawn from Canton, and thus announced his intentions for the future : ^^ I must, at once finally, most explicitly and candidly acquaint you, that no conceivable circumstances should induce me to place Her Majesty's government in so false and undignified a posture, as I should consider it to be placed in, were I to send troops and ships of war to Canton, in opposition to the request atid wishes of the local government, in order that you might canrjr on your trade under the protection of such troops and ships df war.'' Not content with this rebuke. Sir Henry Pottinger told the Bri- tish inerchants in China, that '^ they had not in any single iota or circumstance striven to aid him in his arrangements," that they had ^^ thrown serious difficulties and obstacles, if not positive risk, in. the way of his arrangements," &c. The British merchants, in a letter of 28rd December, 1842, to Sir Henry Pottinger, resp^tfuUy dqurecated tiie *' severe public cetisure" tiliua cast on th^m, and declared that for the past sixteen months they had peaceably aod unobtrusively carried on their trade at Canton, wilhonjtjbiaxxy parotection or control on the part <^ the British authorities. Had the protection then properly sought been granted, thie outbreaks that have since occurred, would pro- bably have been prreveuted*: brut^ I shall avail myself of the last chi^ter to discKissr thotf pqixit, and- to endeavour to do justice to the 96 DsrsNCXLSsa stave op b&itish merchants at canton. British merchants in Chingi whose character and conduct have been unfairly represented to the Home authorities. From time to time there have been outbreaks since at Caoton^ indeed^ hfe and property aie now far less secure than they were before the war. In Jul^^ IMIb our merchants there owed their protection to an American brig of war^ the SL Louis, which went to their assistp ance from Whampoa. At this very period there were three regi- mentSj six pennants, (induding a seventy-Sour and tw4^ friffiABs) a general, an admiral, and a plenipotentiary at Hong Kong^ But for any assistance they could render in time to Canton, they might as well have been ut the Sandwich Islsods. On 18th March, 1845, the colonial treasurer, vice eonsul, and chaplain, were attacked and plundered while peaceably walking outside tb# ob, which the <3hinese authorities acknow- ledge they are unable to control. The merchants, with proper spirit, have organized thaiiuselves into a military body, and ordered three hundred stand of arms and accojatrements from England. The Canton authorities seeing this determined spirit, and aware of their utter powerlessness^ have, it is stated, applied to Governor Davis for a British ship of war to be stationed at Canton. Eveai this has been but partially complied with — for instead of sending one of ^ur smart frigates, like the " Iris/^ (26), a small half-armed steamer belonging to the East India Company, has been despatch- ed to protect the hves and property of Eniglishmen. On a recent occasion^ last year. Captain Steenbille, of the Danush frigate Gala" tkea, opportunely sent his m^ines from Whampoa to Canton, lor the protection of our •countarymen. ^ These proceedings fully attest the impoi:fections of the treaty <^ Nanking, which has been so erroneously lauded, and they evince the worthlessness of Hong Kong, even for the last remaining plea in its favour, that it is a protection to the trade of Canton. The Chinese repository for September, 1846, alludes to further assaults thus : " On the 25th ult. a murderous attack was made ATTEMPT TO KILL FORBIQNERS AT CANTOX. 97 on a small party of foreigners. They were in a hon^boat^ return- ing from a short excursion on Honam, when^ as they were passing through a creek^ gangs of ruffians furiously assailed them with brickbats and stones. ' The foreign devils have kilkd our people, and we wiU kill you to revenge their death ;' these and many similar words they used ; and^ suiting the action to the language^ they tried hard to effect their deadly purpose^ heedless of remonstrances on the part of the boatmen and the foreigners. When the boat passed under the stone bridge (the Machung-kiau) they threw down a shower of heavy stones, quite enough to have sunk the boat and destroyed the whole party in it. But in their fury most of them missed their aim. The boat^ however^ when it had passed the bridge was almost a wrecks and only two of the seven boat- men were at their posts^ all of them having been hit^ and one re- ceived a deep gash in the forehead by a sharp tile. One stone^ brought off^ weighed eighty-five and one-third pounds. " Two things should be noted particularly in judging of this at- tack : the party in the boat had not been into the village^ and had given no offence ; the assailants only knew that they were foreign- ers^ and as such determined to kill them to revenge what had been done at another time and in another place. " Most of the Chinese soldiers have been withdrawn from the vicinity of the factories ; and all manner of hucksters are congre- gating, and filth and vermin accumulating in the adjacent streets — just as they were before the late riot V^ The general impression now is^ that England will be again in- volved in war with the Government of China. The Tartars stimu- late the mob, and cause the most violent placards to be posted on and around the English factories. By the last mail it is stated, that '' the patriots posted another violent chop on the 16th, stating that they were determined to have the heads of twenty foreigners in satisfaction of the lives lost during the attack on the factories in July. " A circular was immediately issued by the chairman of the protective committee, advising the community to be prepared to defend the factories, should their destruction be attempted, and a letter sent to Her Majesty's consul informing him of the posting of the placard, the translation of which, as follows, may be relied on as correct. *' By the latest accounts, all was quiet : the Nemesis had been ordered to resume her position opposite the factories, and the pros- pect of immediate assistance, in the event of another riot, must be very encouraging to the protective committee. Placarb. Ist. " The rules of piK)ceeding, and estabUshed laws of our great Emperor, in every way exceed those of the preceding dynasty, in regarding the lives of the people as of paramount importance. Where local officers, in any case of loss of life, give decision even in a slight degree at variance with the truth, or not vol. II. H 98 DECLARATION OP THE ^* PATRIOTS AGAINST ENGLISH. corresponding with the testimony of the deceased's relations, the immediate degradation and dismisaal of such officers, may be deemed a proof of the importance attached, and the attention paid to human life : as for the loss of the life of one Chinaman, those of two foreigners are required to make good the loss. The laws of His Majesty are most dear, and from the obedience rendered to them all, by all classes of people whatever, does it result that those above have oeen for a long time past, on good terms with those below. In the fifth moon of this year, however, there were upwards of twenty Chinese slain by foreigners, their bodies thrown into the water, and buried in the fishes' bellies ; but our high officers have treated the matter, as though they heard it not ; have regarded the Fank-' wei as though they were gods ; have held the Chinese as the flesh of fish, and have despised the lives of men as the hair of the head : they persisted in making no representation to the throne, neither did they settle the matter as they ought. The myriad people la- mented and were indignant : woe entered the marrow of their bones ; in the public hidls, although their hearts were set on im- parting to each other their resentful feelings^ yet had they no available counsel to follow. They have no resource left, but to appoint a day, when, amongst those present at the general consul- tation, certain may come forth, and concerning all these (slain men) demand of Pwandfdh of the Ckungwo hong (M inqua) among the foreign hongs, if he will point out the leaders and followers of the FdnkiDei who were engaged in the fight, that they may be ready to liglit a fire that shall bum without restraint, or devise means to lay their hands upon them, that there be left not a sin- gle life of a Chinaman without its substitute. Thus to give rise to the excesses of the Fdnkwei, is indeed much to the loss of the res- pectability of the empire. Should Pwandfah, audaciously main- taining his design of aiming at profit, shelter or assist the Fdnkwei, and refuse to give straightforward testimony, then will we take his flesh to eat, his skin to sleep upon, to make glad the hearts of men, ere we stop. " [The respectful declaration of all the colleges, or public deba- ting rooms in the city of Canton.] " (Posted on the north wall of the Factories on the night of the 15th September J 2nd. '• Upon the land of Hong kong are the residences of those who go to and fro, trading up to Canton, and down to Macao. Now since the Fdnkwei have settled thereon, those who dwell around, have suflered no slight hurt : their wives have endured their licentiousness, their honest men all obey their call (»» servants.) The string of their iniquities is completed, the villagers gnash their teeth, the myriad people are intensely indignant. Alas ! they petition their rulers, but they do them not justice ; whence it comes that the protracted stream of evil influence, deepens the more, the longer it continues. There are withal cer- CHUSAN OUGHT NOT TO HAVE BEEN EVACUATED. 09 tain native traitors^ who in their covetous plotting and scheming after gain, have so slight a respect for propriety, principle, thrift and modesty, as to have established, on behalf of the Fdnkwei, boats to carry passengers and freight between Hong Kong and the city : thus giving outlet to numerous offences, they are ever secretly carrying foreign letters. All our countrymen who travel back and forward know it well; calamity, growing freely, is as the hair of our head in number. Furthermore, if the Fdnkwei here- after pretend that the sailing and freighting of these boats is, by its long existence, law, should we wish to put an end thereto we shall not be able ; if we deal with them (or serve them) it will be difficult afterwards to attack them : what is there like arresting the calamity, ere it shall have budded ? we, of all the assembly halls, if in twenty days from the circulation of this paper, the said passage boats shall not have ceased to ply, should again dare to carry foreigners to and fro, fattening themselves to the prejudice of men's families, to the ruin of their houses, upon ascertaining the facts, will, with united hearts and with all our strength, des- troy and exterminate these passage boatsmen ; assuredly, shall they not leave injury everywhere behind them. May prosperity thus have a means of returning to us V For the past two years Her Majesty's government have been urged to provide against this state of things, and advised to open negotiations for another and better Treaty. It was stated that if the island of Chusan were evacuated, without Canton city being opened conformably to the treaty of Nankin, bloodshed, disturb- ance, and another war would ensue. Nevertheless, Chusan was evacuated, although the treaty of Nankin was not fulfilled in the spirit or in the letter, and Canton was not opened, although distinctly promised by the treaty. The following proclamation, by Keying, the Chinese Plenipo- tentiary, acknowledges on paper the right of the British to a re- sidence in the city of Canton ; but the actual power is still denied, and a mere promise held forth that as soon as the Emperor can con- »trol his subjects, the English will receive admission into Canton. Yet, on the faith of this futile promise, Chusan was evacuated, although its return was in fact the only means of preserving peace with China : — " Keying, High Imperial Coilimissioner and Governor-general of the two Kwang, &c., &c., &c., and Hwang, Lieutenant-governor of Kwantung, &c., fee, &c., hereby proclaim to the entire body of gentry and common people, the manifestation of the Imperial goodness. " Whereas Canton is the general resort of merchants from every country beyond the seas, yet since the accession of the present Dynasty, for upwards of two centuries, foreigners have never en- tered the city ; on which account the British Envoy, having year after year, repeatedly intimated the desire for admission to the city, H 2 100 KEYIXO ACKNOWLEDGES TBAT we, tlie Gorernor-genenl and Liet directed the local authorities to u mon people ; but the popular feelii Bare, so as to cause its execution t " Now, the English Envoy bavii former negotiations, we, the Oo governor, addressed our joint adn them to be tnuosmitted to the in] under the signature of the said g bitanta of the city and suburbs c foreigners entering the city. The placards stuck up in all places. " Whereupon we, theGovemor-f in our reply to the Envoy, minui The British Envoy, in his dispatc' Commercial Emporium of Foo-cl entrance is permitted into the cit at Canton, &;c. " Ye gentry and people mast ci tions are estaolished between the tends his kind regards equally 1 Moreover, at the other ports whi Foo-chow, Ningpo, and Shangba Amoy, which has neither walled admitted within the walla without ance. Only at Canton do there ei is objected to. " We can but auppoae that you conversant with the facts and diff great variety of public opinion ht there be men fond of disturbance, citing commotions. Wherefore, v the gentry and people, within au formation. Ton must each and separation, and set aside jealousii hitherto offering vexatious oppositi harmony, we, the Govemor-gene: connection with the English env good, and permanent footing. I oppose this special proclamation. " Taoukwaug, 25th year, 12th i " (ISth January, 18 This proclamation acknowledgi people, or an unvrillingness to co elusion from Canton city, induce " outside barbariana," — hence the To face Page 101 THE FOREIGN MARITIME COMMERCE OP CH The Consular Ports. Canton. ^ r Imports £ \ Exports Total 15 / Imports 22 \ Exports Total . 00 < to < Contular Portt Shanghac, Imports „ Exports Amoy^ Imports ,, Exports Ningpo, Imports ,, Exports Fuh-cboo, Imports „ Exports 'Shanghae, Imports f. Exports Amoy, Imports Exports 2 ^ Ningpo, Imports „ Exports Fuh-choo, Imports „ Exports Total for 1844 Total for 1845 England and India. United States of America. 3,451,312 3,883,828 7,335,140 2,321,692 4,492,370 6,814,062 1 / } 501,335 487,528 80,650 12,612 Unknown. None. 1,082,207 1,259,091 147,494 15,478 10,398 17,495 4,537 683 529,938 1,448,671 1,978,609 536,910 1,728,975 2,265,885 8,417,265 9,351,445 } 11,513 776 1,978,609 2,278,174 Fran £ 1 15,; 21,! 15,; 21,1 The total shipping inwards of the port of Canton was in 1844, vessels 306 ; tonnag| The French imports were entirely from Manilla, and the greater part of the export Danish with Singapore and Copenhagen. German with Singapore and Hamburgh. — the greater part of which was in piece goods, re* shipped or never landed for wa trade of Anioy. So also with other ports. The object has been to give if possible a dollars, at 4«. 4rf. per dollar, which makes £255,273 ; and the exports 6,593,881 dolh 101 CHAPTER II. tNTERNAL TRADE, COASTING TRAFFIC, AND MARI- TIME COMMERCE OP CHINA WITH THE ENGLISH, AMERICANS, AND OTHER WESTERN NATIONS. It is difficult to convey in a succinct form, and without the aid tf tabular statements, a clear view of the commerce of China, iternal and maritime. Our knowledge of the former is very mited, and excepting Shanghai, almost the whole trade with !urope, America, and the East Indies, centres still in Canton, at (be extremity and in one of the most barren provinces of the em- pire. In order to lay a foundation for further observations and iture comparisons, an endeavour will be made to explain the exist- ig commerce of China, beginning with the Inland Tradb — China possesses a greater variety of produc- ions, than any country in the world. Whilst at its southern ^tremity the cocoa-nut still flourishes, its borders on the river Lmoor famish the fur-animals in equal proportion to any obtained Siberia. The marshy soil and plains of the extensive delta stween the Yellow River and Yangtzekang possess aU the Ivantages of the Netherlands and Egypt, whilst Kweichoo, Lokoner, and part of Yunnan vie with Switzerland in towering lountains, and in mineral treasures with the Cordilleras. There a transition from the most barren soil, worse than the Desert Saharah, to the most fertile spots in all Asia, and as an allwise )yidence allotted to each peculiar riches, the most opposite ones fe met in China together. An idea that domestic animals ought kever to encroach upon the food of man, has rendered the bul- 2k scarce, and the sheep scanty; and confined the riches of the ktisbandman to a pig, which lives on refuse, and to a lean goat, )W8ing on a barren mountain. The jealousy of the government chased the horse from the plough and waggon, because its objects might employ the animal in war, and man is compelled do the labour of the beast. Were it not on that account, rina would have rich meadows, large droves of cattle, and wool, well as hides, for exportation. An all-absorbing desire to >8ses8 always grain, and especially rice, in abundance, has made le Chinese husbandman bestow bJI his care upon this one subject, the neglect of kitchen vegetables and fruit trees. A perhaps rell-founded fear of the mandarins, that if the mines of the )untry were generally opened, the attention of the people would 102 GOVERNMENT BEBTRICTlONa ON IMPROVEMENTS IN CHINA. be withdrawn from more useiiil pursuits^ has rendered them very strict, in merely permitting the working of a very few, and those only to a certain amount. Were it otherwise, the south-western provinces would export gold, silver and copper, as they did for- merly tuteuague. But there are the labourers, of an enterprizing, greedy and patient nation, who only require an impulse to fiilfil its great destiny in procuring the greatest diversity of pro- ductions that can possibly be collected in any single empire. From the most ancient times, the great use of water communica- tion was discovered ; and the nation has for more than two thou- sand years been endeavouring to make canals, wherever natural obstacles did not prove insurmountable. Thence arose the inland communication between the Yangtzse and Canton, and the ex- tensive hydraulic works which connect the capital with every province. Though the primary object by digging them, was to furnish irrigation for the fields, still there is throughout the whole breadth of the land,notasingle important point to which canalsdo not diverge ; there is not a city, except in the high mountains, without being intersected by them ; and there is moreover not the smallest one, on which boats do not ply, whilst some on the great channels of intercourse are covered with vessels of every description. The avenues of the inland trade are therefore open and practicable in every direction. But carelul as the Chinese are in this respect, they are equally indiflferent afcout roads, which are almost un- known. Hence the rude state of the mountainous parts, and uncivilized condition of north-western China, where few canals exist. If we examine the character of the nation at large, their gain- seeking propensities are prominent, and in the steady pursuit of lucre, no matter what the means are, they challenge a compeer. Pedling, traflScking, and trading are therefore instinctive with them, and a child which has scarcely learnt to speak, will lay out a few cash to buy sugar-cane or cakes, and retail them by the roadside ; a penny thus gained, is more esteemed than a pound obtained without cheating or bargaining. The first thing an infant learns is " to lisp in numbers /' the first enterprize of the urchin is to cypher ; and it is a rarity to find a man not versed in this science, for the v^ry coolie and clown keep thei^ accounts. China exhibits one grand mart erf ti:aders, everything is purchas- able, everybody vendable ; the Emperor trades, his ministers^ traffic in everything, and where sujch examples axe given, we must expect to find myriads of ipoiitators. We ought therefore not to wonder at the ingenuity which converts all substances into articles of commerce, nor at the fertility of genius to discover the best market J where such a spirit prevails, we may easily suppose^ that the inland trade will be flourishing. Notwithstanding, however, this practical commercial tendency of the nation, the government has adopted a different theory. AGRICULTURE THE SOURCE OP PERMANENT RICHES. 108 Considering agriculture the only source of permanent riches^ and trade often hostile to the pursuit of such a laborious profession, various laws have been issued to check its growth. The merchant, bj being constantly on the move, contracts ideas which are not very much in accordance with the orthodox policy of the ruling authorities, and hence the adoption of what is termed a salutary restraint. Thus there are laws and by-laws without end, hin- drances, prohibitions, regulations, filling pondrous volumes, to abridge the liberty of the subject in disposing of his goods and chattels to the best advantage, and to try the cunniag of the sub- ject, how to circumvent and to evade. The supreme government pretends to look upon all trade with utter contempt, and hence has never burdened it with heavy duties, leaving its minions to oppress it by exactions, fees and grinding, so as to render smug- gling inevitable, and a custom officer^s situation the most lucrative office in the gift of the crown, and the proper position of a Mantchoo Tartar. When taking, however, the whole of the despotic nature of the government into consideration, the restrictions upon the inland trade have not been so severe, as from its grasping character might have been expected. One sound principle of the autocratism of China is never to oppose public opinion if too powerful, but to reserve for itself the privilege of making pro- hibitions ; not to punish the many of transgressors, for that would endanger its very existence, but to choose a few individuals and make them the scapegoats for the whole. Thus have the Na- tives overcome the repugnance of their rulers, and their endless annoyance in confining traffic in a narrow sphere, by their num- bers and determination, accompanied by a vrillingness to offer up occasionally a holocaust to appease the wrath of the Mandarins. . Every country, as thickly populated as China, has an immense pressure upon its resources, but the very circumstance of over population calls forth a spirit of invention in those who are pressed for a bare subsistence to prolong life, and has most powerfully operated upon commerce, not only in discovering the articles of trade, but also in lowering the profits by incessant vigorous com- petition. The princes of China were early taught to issue the least valiiable metal coin in existence, to make it divisable in endless fractions, because the individual share amongst the majority of the nation in the riches of the country, was so very trifling, as to render a silver piece for the very few only available. This being the medium of small transactions, the shareholders in every speculation are necessarily numerous, and where a capital of one hundred dollars is required, there are perhaps ten partners, ilven where a capitalist stands at the head, and ftirnishes all the Qash, his people prefer having a small share, however trifling soever, in. the concern,. to receiving a settled sum of monthly or annu^ wages ; for the gains by traffic, how great the difficuities soever. 104 CHINESE A NATION OF PEDLARS. are more precious to a Chinaman^ than money obtained directly without barter and bargaining. Amongst the myriads of petty trafiSckers and pedlars^ there is however a considerable spirit of combination^ so that even small traders have their meetings^ where resolutions are passed^ and mea- sures conjointly adopted^ for successfully carrying their designs into ejQfect^ and insuring a flourishing commerce. Of the extent and capital of such unions there are numberless gradations^ from petty hucksters to large established companies, who however with the exception of the salt merchants, are not as such privileged, or under a charter of government. The Mandarins have wisely refused to interfere forcibly with the proceedings and enterprize or com- binations by which money is realized, and merely content them- selves either with sharing in or swallowing up the profits. A few general remarks on these associations may be useful. 1st. Shopkeepers who trade in similar goods form themselves into bodies, not so much for mutual assistance, but for selling their articles at a certain rate, or for stopping trading altogether, if either the public or the Mandarins will not accede to their propo- sitions. In enforcing these obligations upon all the members, they are very strict, and whosoever clandestinely evades their rules, is sure to be persecuted with inveterate vengeance. 2nd. People that trade to certain parts of the empire form themselves into sureties for mutual protection, assistance and ad- ministration, and thus ensure a better treatment of their persons, and security to their trade. The most celebrated associations of this description are the Shanse merchants, who with their cara- vans traverse the whole breadth of the empire, and journey in far greater numbers than even Mohomedan pilgrims, over Arabia, the deserts now tributary to China, as well as Mongolia, Mantchouria, Turkestan, and Tibet, until they arrive at the confines of Bokhara and Siberia. They are men of large capital, and their investments are considerable. In this spirit of enterprize, cheerful endurance of fatigues for the sake of gain, perseverance and patience, they are perhaps unsurpassed. 3rd. In each large empire, where a number of merchants from a certain province or large city trade, there are large, commodious^ and neat houses erected by the countrymen, known under the name of Hwuykwan, to which generally a temple or some garden is at- tached ; and here the merchants assemble at stated times, hold deliberations, propose and reject measures, and act in many respects as a company. These are very respectable institutions, command considerable capital, and act frequently with much unanimity and success. 4th. Monopolists, — The Chinese government having prohibited the unlimited use of some articles, such as saltpetre, sulphur, iron, and horses, looks to trustworthy men, that they shall deal in them ASSOCIATED MONOPOLISTS THROUGHOUT CHINA. 105 only in such quantities as will render them harmless^ and sell to government at a prescribed rate^ generally under the actual value. According to law, none can buy from them, except he bring a cer- tificate from the authorities ; and this must be retained by the mer- ch^it to account for the quantity of his imports and sales. We may call them ^' licensed monopolists/' who form themselves into companies to carry on their business with greater effect, and levy the largest possible tax upon the public. Still, we cannot view them in the same light as our commercial privileged companies. The self-constituted monopoUsts are a race of merchants, that combine with each other for better or worse, and defy laws, regula- tions, and prohibitions with great tenacity and perseverance. The most formidable among them are the corn monopolists, men of iron nerve, unmoved by sufferings, who, with infinite tact, raise and lower the price of rice in concert, or withdraw it for some time dtogether from the market. They are rather numerous, and have more than once defied government ; for their large profits permit them to bribe the underlings richly. There is no other bond amongst the members but self-interest, this is strong enough to hold the associations together. As an instance of this descrip- tion, the cotton monopoly at Canton may be mentioned : a num- ber of Fokeen merchants had there agreed to export exclusively the foreign article to their homes and to Formosa, under certain conditions, agreed upon amongst themselves. This prerogative they maintained in spite of competition and capital, and most suc- cessfully defeated, during many years, all the plans for interfering in their business. The only company of privileged merchants are the salt monopo- lists, who may be found throughout the vast empire. The bar- gain between them and the government is, that they should buy the salt at a certain price from the manufacturer, and sell it, like- wise, at a fixed rate to the consumer, and for this privilege they pay a sum of money into the hands of an inspector. The money thus furnished by these traders amounts to more than seven mil^ lion taels per annum. This, however, is merely a direct tax ; to the mandarins, and even the Emperor, it remains to make, from time to time, application, either in their own personal behalf, or for public exigencies : in this respect, they are not much better off than the Hong merchants of yore. But they have, also, the means of revenging themselves upon the common people, by rais- ing their prices, the government faithfully assisting them in driv- ing intruders from the market, and seizing smugglers. The latter, however, especially on the sea-coast, where immense quantities of salt are manufactured, are too strong to be suppressed, and carry on lucrative illicit trade in the commodity. There are not many instances of these companies becoming bankrupt, and individuals who have a share in the salt concern are, from that circumstance, 106 8ALT TRADE AND PAWNBROKINO IN CHINA. considered rich. Several mandarinB are appointed to examine their ledgers^ to assist in the transportation^ and to take effectual measures to prevent any want of this necessary article. It may be proper to mention pawnbrokers, for though these are not strictly merchants, they are, nevertheless, monopolists, and form companies, not merely confining themselves to take articles in pawn, but speculating to a considerable amount in everything which promises profit. So great is their influence upon the people at large, that when they stop their business, there is a stagnation of all trade (see description of pawnshops at page 06). The government fully recognises their establishments and companies, exacts for this a trifling direct tax, but looks upon them as a never-failing source of supplies whenever any wants are felt. There exists, generally, the best understanding between them and the authorities, who find it a decided advantage to assist them, and thus render the poorer classes obedient to their rule. Rich officers often become partners, though nominal only, and even public money on high interest is entrusted to their care. The populace, however, bear pawnbrokers a never-dying grudge ; and after their having acquired considerable capital, the lower classes frequently, with one accord, plunder their whole property, without the civil powers being able to rescue them from the ruth- less hands of the rabble. Yet, though they are the source of much woe and grinding oppression, they still deserve the credit of keeping the wheels of commerce revolving by seasonable sup- plies, by their semi-banking operations. We may now proceed to an examination of the particulars of the inland trade. This may conveniently be divided into northern^ central, and southern. Ist. 7%e Northern. We are accustomed in Europe, to find amongst the nations of a colder clime more manufactursd indus- try than in the south ; there are more wants, and, therefore, a great many ready devices to supply them. Such, however, is not the case in China. Little mechanical skill exists there to work up the raw produce of the land, and to heighten the natural riches of the country, by adapting the same to general use : up to the present moment, the majority of the peasantry still wear sheeps' skins, dress themselves in cottons imported &(»n the other pro- vinces, and scarcely even manufacture from hemp or wool the coarsest stuffs for their own consumption. The same awkward- ness is also perceived in their workmanship of metal, which is of the rudest description. Their dwellings are comparatively miser- able, for they do not well understand to bake and bum the clay, and are content to Uve in filth and misery. Peking is the largest capital in Asia, it contains, in its walls, the wealth of Eastern and Central Asia. From the wide Chinese Empire, with all its tribu- tary states, the most opulent princes, officers, merchants, and in- triguants, make the court alternately their home, and spend their INLAND TBADB^ NOETHBRN PROVINCES. 107 substance. One would^ therefore^ expect that the inhabitants vould^ by their ingenuity, administer to the various wants created by luxury, and excel all others in manufacturing skill. Instead of this, however, Peking imports almost every article, and though the Empress breeds silkworms, and weaves herself, to encourage this branch of industry, there are no others to imitate her example. Second-rate cities in the southern provinces, exhibit a far greater variety of trades, and ingenuity of execution, than is evinced in the huge assemblage of buildings with which the imperial court is surrounded. There is, in fact, little commerce at Peking beyond the imme- diate wants of the inhabitants. De Lange, the Russian minister at the court of Peking, accounts for merchants and other traders not wishing to come to the capi- tal from di£ferent and distant provinces. He states, that the great lords oppress the merchants (strangers) to such a degree, and take their goods from them upon any frivolous pretence ; and for payment, there is not the least hope held out. For this reason, all merchants of any standing in Peking, put themselves under the protection of some of the princes of the blood, or high ministers; and by this means, with the aid of a large sum of money paid annually, they are able to escape the ex- tortions of the mandarins, and common Tartar soldiers. Without such protection, no merchant could stand the unjust calls made on him ; where every one in office thinks he has a right and fair claim on people who live by trade. As to looking for redress, it is useless, as the goods are ordered to be brought to the tribunal of justice ; and he is reckoned a clever fellow that will ever see them again. One reason of the inconsiderable trade of the north, is the want of roads, since the natiure of the soil admits of very few canals. Goods must, therefore, be transported on the backs of men, and although wages are very low, and there are plenty of men to engage in the work, stiU transportation becomes, in this manner, expensive. The sundry disadvantages, however, under which the inland commerce labours, are greatly obviated by the industry, enterprize, and money-seeking disposition of the inhabitants of Shanse pro- vince. To say that they are the Jews of northern China, would be a very faint description of their restless desire after gain. They will convert every article which can be found, how unseemly soever, into merchandize, and laugh at dangers and fatigues, if they can realise some cash. The consequence is, that there are great capitalists, amongst them, that banking establishments must have a Shanse partner, and that the caravans are almost exclu- sively composed of this race. Chihle is the most sterile province of the empire, but the esta- blishment of the court within its jurisdiction, is some compensa- 108 SALT TRADX OP CRIHLE PROVINCE. tion for its natural defects. It has^ however^ scarcely any exports, excepting a very inferior kind of date, and some kind of agate stone, and salt. The latter article, when obtained at the sea-side, is piled np along the Peiho river, opposite to Te^ntsin, in large mounds, to the number of 400 or 500, containing no less than from 4,000 to 10,000 peculs, and then overlaid with earth until there is a demand for it. The vessels that carry it up into the country, amounting to no less than one thousand in number, ply without cessation. Teentsin supplying this necessary of life not only to its own province, but all the north-western parts of territory be- longing to the empire, has in the manufacture and transporta- tion of this article, a very flourishing trade. The salt merchants, natives of Shanse, who engage tdso largely in banking, are looked upon as the most wealthy individuals in the neighbourhood, and as the arbitrators of the whole trade. The moment they com- mence carrying away their saline stores, all is bustle, every branch of industry thrives, and the whole populace is employed ; but as soon as they stop, scarcely any merchant dares to speculate. The trade varies very much, and humid weather, as well as encroach- ments of the sea upon the salt-beds, make great havoc upon this perishable commodity. The fixed sum paid to government is at present 430,000 taels, allowing this to be the twentieth part of the actual trade, the amount of capital employed in this branch would be 8,600,000 taels ; a very considerable sum. There has latterly been a great increase, so that the revenue, as it stands above, has been almost doubled. The inland trade of this province, is considerably increased by the rendezvous of about 6000 grain junks from all parts of the empire, carrying no less than 2,561,000 shih of rice. Although this enor- mous quantity is stored up in the granaries of the capital, and given to the officers, Mantchoos and Mongouls, still a great deal is sold, and causes no trifling speculation at Teentsin, where the grain market, in August, is one of the largest in the whole.world. But this is not the only source of traffic. To all the sailors and oaptains of these boats a certain quantity of stowage is allowed, on their own account, and their articles pass free of custom- house duties. Teentsin, therefore, resembles on their arrival in July and August a great fair, presenting every imaginable article for sale, and judging from the number of speculators, there is a great trade, though divided amongst thousands of shareholders. It is impossible to speak of the actual amount ; but it is not over- rating the amount of capital employed in it, if making it equiva- lent to the quantity of grain carried by the junks. Chihle has another article of exportation, in coals, of rather an inferior description, obtained on the spot, and sent to the southern districts, where ftiel is extremely scarce. On the eastern frontier of this province at Shanhoekwan is the great thoroughfare for the cattle, which come from Mantchoo TBADE OF SH£NS£, SHANTUNG^ AND KAN8UH. 109 Tartary. This traffic has however lately greatly decreased^ and last year the whole of the duties realized was only 28,000 taels, about one-tenth of the former revenue. One thirtieth upon the prime cost is the arerage duty raised, and this would give a fair estimate of this branch of trade. Shense. — The sterile mountainous nature of this province sharpens the intellect of the inhabitants, and drives them firom their homes to seek somewhere else a subsistence. They are, however, notwithstanding these defects, as much attached to their country as the Swiss ; and never fail to return as soon as they have amassed sufficiently to spend their future days with ease, or even to support for a year or more their relatives in affluence, after which they resume their toils in a distant station. The principal articles of exportation are iron, porphyry, jasper and other stones ; also musk, for the deer abounds in the moun- tain recesses and dells. The gin distilled in the province is very famous, and an article of considerable exportation. Shense ex- ports some rudely made agricultural implements, swords and cut- lery, felt, ready-made clothing, and a few simples. It also carries on a small trade in flour and other provisions. Shantunff by its internal navigation enjoys very great advan- tages, from the circumstance of the great canal traversing its whole breadth, and no less than five flourishing cities are situated on its banks. But it is merely a transit barter, greatly favoured by the Chinese government, because besides a single custom- house— Lintsing, the fixed annual receipts of which are 19,000 taels — ^it places no other obstacles in the way of this commerce, which from time immemorial has been in a flourishing condition. Shan- tung produces a great variety of drugs, known only in the Chinese pharmacopeia. It also provides the south with pears and cale, a delicious vegetable ; the value of the export not being less than one million taels, as it is much sought after. The principal manufactures are felt, — the caps worn by the Chinese in winter coming invariably from this province ; and this is a very import- ant branch of trade, employing several millions of capital. The inhabitants weave also tolerable carpets, and moreover, manufac- ture a kind of silky hemp-cloth, much worn by the lower orders, as a general article of dress. The merchants, however, are not natives of the province; and the people therein do not make good sailors. Shense has iron, copper, and gold mines, and carries on its trade in those articles, which are principally found in the south. To the north, there are several extensive fertile plains, where millet grows to great perfection, and forms a considerable article of ex- portation to Mongolia. Kansuh has in its southern mountain-range gold and mercury for exportation, and also musk. Its tobacco is celebrated through-, out China, and several millions worth of this commodity are an- nually exported. The principal trade is carried on with Turkestan, 110 INLAND TEADE OV EA8TBRN PEOTINCBS. tli